Fluglogbücher

Fluglogbücher are documentation kept by pilots to record flight activity and accumulated flight time. They serve as an official record of a pilot’s experience and are used to satisfy licensing, ratings, currency, and employment requirements within civil aviation in German‑speaking regions.

Typical entries in a Fluglogbuch include date, flight duration (block time and actual time), aircraft type and registration, departure and destination aerodromes, route, flight category (VFR or IFR), and flight conditions. For training flights, instructors’ names and the nature of the training are recorded; for commercial operations, details such as flight number and operator may be noted. Additional data can cover approaches, landings, simulator sessions, and, for glider pilots, launch methods and soaring time.

Purpose and uses: the logbook documents flight experience used to obtain and renew licenses and ratings, to demonstrate currency, to plan and verify required flight hours for career progression, and to provide evidence for insurers and employers. It also serves as a personal record of a pilot’s career and progress.

Format and regulation: Fluglogbücher may be kept on paper or electronically. In German-speaking countries, as well as under EU Part‑FCL rules, flight time must be recorded accurately and be auditable, with entries updated in a timely manner. Electronic logbooks are widely used today and are accepted when they provide verifiable, tamper‑evident records. Pilots are advised to regularly reconcile entries with training providers or operators to ensure correctness.