And if if so what do you make sure to include?
I'm looking to start loging my flights soon but haven't found a log book thats for RC to buy any tips would be much appreciated

There is a great one that I use. I use it to not only log my flights, but inventory all of my planes, radios, parts, accessories, etc . . . Just about everything I do in RC is tracked by this program. it's called Flightlog. You can find it at [link]http://www.lammers.ca/FlightLog[/link]

Check it out, it's well worth the price. Oh yeah, did I mention that it's free??

Hope this helps

Hey thanks that program looks awsome I just looked it over for a few minutes.
Do you take notes at the field than enter them into the comp or do you have a lap top?
I'll probaly make up and print out a sheet for myself to take notes
I know there's one for a palm pilot thats cool, but that setup would cost about as much as good remote maybe
Thanks RCKen

Mainly just put down what is pertinent to you and your technical interests. For instance, you might want to time your flights with a particular type of fuel in a particular engine and see if tuning it for weather factors will effect its fuel economy. Or you may change your TX setup and log the changes in flight characteristics of a particular plane. Or you may try different props,glowplugs, landing gear,spinner, whatever and see if a particular plane/engine combo works for you better. I always have a page for just notes, things learned both in flying and in interacting with fellow pilots. I use FlightLog too. I was putting it in a notebook but just got a Computer(notebook) and can use it now.

Wow, that program looks really useful! Thanks for the link.

I use a simple excel spreadsheet. Planes are all listed. I just log the number of flights on what particular day. I have a seperate column for those types of models that are shall we say, demolished!!

Dave...

I originally started using Flight Log so that I could come up with an idea of how much RC "stuff" I had for insurance purposes. It's good that I did because originally I was only covered up to $10,000 in loss on my RC stuff, but when I found that I had closer to $20,000 worth I changed my policy to cover it all. Since then I found I just like keeping track of it all.

I have a little card that I printed out that I keep in my transmitter case. I record date, temp, wind, each flight, which plane, minutes flown, and fuel used. I transfer it to my PC when I get home at the end of a day (or actually at the end of the weekend)

I've been working with Shawn (the author of flight log) and currently in beta testing on the next version of flight log which allows a picture for each item. I really like the new version, but I don't know when it will be release so keep an eye out for it.

lol, atleast you have a column for ones which arn't demolished!

Used to log everything but it usually only took about two lines for each airplane. When things got better I was so happy I didn't bother with the log. Too happy geting home with aircraft in one piece. I still think the log can be very useful.

I keep a log in a small notebook with a brief description of each flight. Often I record design changes and different props used. Sometimes I enjoy reading back over the notes about different engines used in the same airplane. It is also interesting to observe how the airplane gains weight over the years.

Bill

several years ago some one offered a flight log here in Pa . it was a useful item but had some things i felt unneeded, cluttered & not enough room for comments. I used it a lot for training esp. two or more people. i could copy it & give to student as well as refer to and see where we left off last time.very good to refer back to and see weather , comments on trim, problems encountered etc.if you travel it would be a great place to contain field maps, phone # etc the idea isa good one but just has not seen wide spread use.

I used flight log while I was training... very useful and helpful...but now.... darned if I don't fly too much (I know...it is a tough problem) so I kept forgeting to input data......


Now I just wake up...take my kid to Preschool....and go fly!




and thank God he still takes naps so I have an hour in the afternoon for repairs![:@]

Yes, and you don't need anything fancier than an exercise book although it will require you to rule your own colums and rows as required for it. I rule mine as required at every summary, which because I fly often, is usually a monthly summary.

I just use a Made in China cheapie hardcover standard feint lined book ruled with colums to reflect the items pertinent to an RC log.

Whatever you use, the items you'll want as headings are Date, Model, Flight Time, # Flights, #Landings, & a longer section for Comments or Remarks. Rule double page. In my case because I fly regularly at two different locations I also have a small column where I can tick to annotate which location the AIREX was conducted at. For a guide, have a look at a real log book and just adapt your exercise book for RC. A log is especially useful if instructing or a student under training, and for keeping a record of flight, landing currency etc.

PS: Shawn's flight log looks very useful, especially for maintenance and budgeting. I wasn't aware of it before, but now that I am I'll download it and try using it as a supplement to my written (easily transportable) log. One of the keys to successful log keeping is to do it now. Discipline yourself to religiously write up your entries as soon as you can after each the days flying. Keep it simple. The entry doesn't have to be a tome or resemble "War and Peace". That way it never becomes a chore.