[4wdmt]

Is logging your flight a must? How many of you guys do it? The guy who introduce me to my old T-Rex 450 told me to keep a log to know many and how long I am flying and the kind of flying I did on that particular day.

For those who log their flights. What is a typical log sheet? Whats must be written there?

I never started logging, I guess that is a mistake in my part. Now, I don't know how many times I have flown my 450 and Quark and how many times I crashed, lol.

EDIT. added a small poll to gauge who do and doesn't. Since I don't... I voted NO.

Thank you for your time guys!

[Phil Noel]

Yes, and I have for more many years.

So far, since I started logging, I have logged 1626.4 hrs. of RC heli airtime and 270.7 hrs. of RC airplane time. Using an average of 10 minutes per flight, that is 9758 helicopter flights and 1624 airplane flights.

I also log the airtime of each heli and engine. I find it can be very revealing as to dependability and reliability of various components.

At my age, I will never get into the realm of Scott and Colin, but as long as I keep improving every year and achieving the goals I set out to accomplish every year, I will continue to enjoy this wonderful hobby/sport.

Unfortunately, 2009 was one of the years where I logged much lower flight time then most other years - only 36.5 hrs. (219 flights) of heli time and no airplane time.

[tech1]

It is not normally necessary. I don't log any flights on my planes or smaller helicopters.

That being said, I have a large electric cameraship. I have logged every flight for duration and charge amount since the first flight. Since last summer I have added a data logger to capture real time in-flight information.
Why Bother? With electric, you can tell a lot about the setup even with simple data like flight time/capacity. With the data logger I can see the performance of my Lipo's as they age.
Things like changing motors, gear ratio's, blades, weight all impact the flight performance. Basic logging puts numbers to the changes in performance.

[Oilsands]

The only real reason that I log my flights right now is to keep track of how many flights I put on in a year on a plane. It also give me the history of the planes I have and had. Since I compete in IMAC, I also log the props, mufflers/cans, engine, sound, rpm and performance that I got on a setup that I tried on each plane. I have only been flying for 4 years now and competed for 1 of those years.

[tskca]

Mental logging is as good as a written log for some of us :=)

And using the cumulative timer of the Tx gives an excellent approximation of total flight time.

Yes, logging , like blogging, is an important part of my regime for service maintenance.

[MarkToo]

I logged the first 150 or so flights. I recorded flight times, fuel used, receiver battery usage, what I was practising, as well as adjustments to the heli and radio. While I was learning, this helped me keep track of my progress and changes to the heli etc.

I've stopped logging now, and basically just keep track of the number of gallons I fly. I've purchased new RX batts for this year, and will do that every season. On my 450 electric, I just put a little dot on the battery every time I charge it.

I go over my heli's frequently, and check the bearings, linkages, servos, and nuts and bolts.

For me, this works fine.

[amscat]

I log flights & weather conditions & any changes I make (e.g. type & content of fuel) and how those affected a/c performance.

[DO335]

In my case, there is a log for each model.

My log consists of dates, flight numbers, time - actual, not average, weather, plane performance, what was done during that flight along with a few notes. For instance, if the flight is with a student, that is noted, along with his performance and name. Prop changes or any mods to the airframe with results are noted. Everything is tracked. Crashes especially too. They need documented repairs.

Additionally, I keep a snag sheet. It's part of the log. Anything that's unusual or that needs attention is noted.

The snag sheet is reviewed prior to any additional flights for the aircraft and all items are tended to and checked off as completed once corrected. There are no further flights of that model until snags are rectified.

Attempting to keep all that in your mind is useless. It won't be there for long.

Loggin is the only way to know what's going on and how to make progress. It gives you a base line and a perfect memory.

[Gary Maker]

Originally Posted by amscat

I log flights & weather conditions & any changes I make (e.g. type & content of fuel) and how those affected a/c performance.

My logging history is pretty much the same as the above post. I have a seperate log for all of my battery packs as well as the flight log. Whenever I get a new pack I date it and record each time I charge, cycle and how many flights it has endured. To me the battery is the life of the plane so always being aware of the battery condition is even more important to me than my flight log in that respect!

My first year of flying I recorded every flight in detail on my Telemaster 40 and other planes. Engines used, fuel consumed, battery maintenance, parts change, mishaps etc. I logged over 460 flights on the Tele and engine, a Saito 50, before finally selling it to support a new plane.

I go back all those 20 years ago and thouroughly enjoy being reminded of some of the silly mishaps I had in those days.

I am about to embark on a new flying experience. I have 2 RTF Blade 400 3D's ready to be destroyed...lol. It will also be my first endevors into the world of electric flight using Lipo battery packs instead of slime fuel! I plan on recording each and every flight...time, conditions, parts needed, battery maintenance, and anything else that may seem pertenant.

Technically, I don't know how important a log will be, but it is fun to go back and review one's previous activity. So it will mostly be a nestalga thing for me!

[Gary Maker]

DO335: Quote: "Attempting to keep all that in your mind is useless. It won't be there for long."

Hey Matthew, that quote reminded me of a time many years ago when I was summoned to appear in court as a Crown witness for an accident I had observed.

One case that came up before I was to testify, a fellow was charged with failing to appear in court to face charges. The judge asked him why he didn't show up! The guy answered that he had simply forgot! The judge fined him $100 and told him that amount of money would have bought him a lot of pencils and paper.

Then the judge added: "I hope this will instill in you the fact that a short pencil is by far superior to even a long memory!"

I never forgot that and I have always thought that to be excellent advice!