Sport Pilot Talk

dholly · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:23 am Post subject: Lost Pilot Log?

I have a valid Student Pilot Certificate, my own LSA and a willing Subpart H CFI. The CFI has prior hours in type and has performed familiarization and flight testing of my aircraft. Basically, all is set to begin flight instruction in my own aircraft. Naturally I would like to include my hours accumulated as a PP student in the mid 1970's, however, that pilot log was lost and both flight schools involved have closed. Ie. no records at all. As I understand, the General Aviation Operation Inspectors Handbook (FAA Order 8700.1) provides guidance for reconstructing lost airman logbooks. The airman should begin with a signed and notarized statement of previous flight time as the basis for starting a new flight time record.

This sounds easy enough... or is it?

Q1.) What is the most accurate way to re-create the dual and solo hours absent surviving records? I think comparing the point in the training process one was at (say, first solo x-country) to the average hours required to achieve that according to a few Private Pilot Training Syllabus' makes sense. Or, is there a better suggestion?

Q2.) While listing total estimated hours by dual and PIC is a must, is it advisable perhaps to also note the specific level of completed ground and flight training one does recollect?

Q3.) In the new Pilot Log, the 'Aircraft Category' section contains 'Airplane SEL', 'Airplane MEL', plus a blank column header. As I am now working towards a Sport Pilot Certificate with specific category and classes, would it be wise to create a new column header such as 'LSA >87knots' or just let the 'Aircraft Make & Model' column provide for such record keeping?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jeff Tipton · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 98 Location: Dickson, TN

If you can remember the instructors names, you could try looking for them.

If you had medical during prior training it would have your hours on the form and a copy could be obtained from the FAA.

[url]http://www.landings.com/evird.acgi$pass*184203707!_h-www.landings.com/_landings/pages/search/certs-pilot.html[/url]

dholly · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:16 am Post subject:

Thanks Jeff.

Unfortunately, like many flight schools at the time, there was a revolving door for CFIs. Most were young guys working up their hours for commercial jobs and moving on quickly. After 30+ years, I recall only one --the grandson of the school owner-- and have tracked him down to find the school records were long disposed of. The owner of the other school perished in a ferry accident several years back unfortunately, and all leads there have been exhausted.

At this point I am sadly forced to accept the fact that any flight school records are lost forever, along with my shirt tail. Being a new student pilot at the time, my only medical was prior to accumulating hours so no help there either.

I'm not talking about that many hours, but it would be helpful to record them as they are in excess of the minimum requirements for the Sport Pilot Practical Test and I eventually may want to continue on to a PP certificate.

ka7eej · Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 177 Location: Taylor, Az

In theory I understand why you might want to account for all of your old hours... I bet it will take you at least 15 hours dual in your LSA before your cfi would sign you off for your practical test... your cross country and solo..are so few hours and I'm sure you will want to do them again after 30 years!!! If you want to get a CFI yourself it might be nice to have a few extra hours... Good luck and just go learn how to fly your LSA!!!!!
Brian

AZPilot · Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 156

An important part of your logs, especially when going for a certificate or rating, is the training accomplished and logged, not just the hours in flight.

From a legal standpoint, logged instruction should show a building block approach to tasks accomplished.

The FAA does allow your to self certify your estimated flight time as you state. (FYI, an aircraft owner can do the same for his airframe, engine, and appliances by signed statement with no other corroborating evidence).

As stated, if it's been that long those records would be more for nostalgia now than actual flight training credit.