Logbook Installation

This app is no longer supported, for the latest implementation go to Logbook FX.

Introduction

The Pilot Logbook System is an electronic logbook that can be used to record everything - and more - that you would normally record in your paper log book but has the added advantage of being able to sort and summarize the information recorded.

It is designed to accommodate flights for both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

Installation

To use the Logbook System system you must install the Oracle Java^TM Virtual Machine, sometimes referred to as the Java Run Time Environment (JRE). Most PCs today come with Java installed. To actually run the installation and the Logbook System requires version 1.7 or better but if you have an older version of Java, the installation will automatically fetch and install the latest version of Java when you run it.

If you don't have any version of Java (how do you run the ADDS forecast icing potential tool before you go flying?) then you can download the latest version from the Oracle web site at http://www.java.com. See The Essentials for more information on determining the version of Java that you have and where to get Java.

Once you have Java on your system, click here to install the logbook system.

The only thing you need to do is specify a directory where you want the system installed. If the directory you specify does not exist it will be created.

Once you've installed the system it will display the End User License Agreement (EULA) which you must accept to continue. Once you have accepted the license the system will open the normal log in form for you to log in. The initial password is password but you should change this to something else after you first log in.

When the system is started it will attempt to create shortcuts for you on your desktop and in your start menu (this works on most if not all platforms, it works in Windows & Linux - at least Fedora and Ubuntu - and I haven't tried on a Mac yet). It will not work on Solaris as it no longer supports Java Web Start.

Using the System

Once the system is running press the F1 key for Help. You can use this on-line help as soon as the normal log in form is displayed, you do not need to be logged in first. An outline of how to use the system is here.

You can see what version you are running by right clicking on any background area of the log in form. This opens the About Logbook window which will also remind you where the database file is located on your system.

The Java installation includes Java Web Start. Once you have the system installed and running see the on-line help for information on using Java Web Start.

See The Essentials for information on backing up your data. Once you have the system installed and running see the on-line help for more information.

Recent Updates

A list of system updates is now available. Updates are automatically installed when you launch the system.

Enhancements to the system may include new controls (buttons, labels, etc.). The text that appears on screen and in the tooltip text for controls is customized by entries in the LogBookMessages.properties file. Because you can change this file to customize the wording of your system it is not touched when the software is automatically updated. This means the new controls will not have entries in this file so when the updated software discovers a control for which there is no entry in the LogBookMessages.properties file it will add a default entry at the end of the file. You can then customize it as you see fit - see the Customizing section of the on-line Help.

Android Version

The Android version of the Logbook System is essentially the same system running on Android. While each system runs quite happily on its own the two can be used together by "synchronizing" the system on the PC with the system on the Android device. For example, if you have started to use the PC system available here and subsequently start to use the Android based system on your phone or tablet you can populate the empty database on the Android device by syncing it with the PC system. Conversely if you take your phone with you on a trip and leave your PC system at home you can keep your logbook up to date on your phone as you travel. When you return home you can bring your PC system up to date by syncing it with the phone. You can actually do this while on the road but it's a tad more involved. This is explained in the on-line help for this system.

The Android version of the system used to be available on the Android Market but Google modified their terms and the app has been removed. To receive the AndroidLogbook-release.apk installation file contact the author as noted below.

Legal Stuff

The Logbook System is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

The Logbook System is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You will be required to accept the terms of the license before you can use the system.

A copy of the GNU General Public License is here. Alternatively see http://www.gnu.org/licenses/#GPL.

The source code for the desktop system is available at http://www.jcst.com/logbook/source.

Prepared: March 7, 2007

Modified June 16, 2020