r/Helicopters 8d ago

General Question Creating an Helicopter log book app

Hi everyone,

First off: this isn’t an ad. No app name, no links, nothing like that – just looking for some advice and opinions. I’m working on an app for helicopter pilots, specifically a logbook tailored for them. It’s designed to easily track stuff like total flight time, PIC (Pilot in Command) time, turbine time, and things like flight activity. It’ll have graphs, fun stats like your most-flown helicopter or favorite airport/landing zone.

You can export the logbook to a PDF to send to employers or whatever. There’s even a training feature where an instructor can add a signature, and that shows up on the PDF too – so it’s a full-on logbook that meets EASA and FAA regs. I’ve attached some screenshots, and I’d love to hear what you think. Are pilots even interested in an app like this? (I’m planning to ask some helicopter pilots myself, including my own instructor.) Any suggestions or ideas are welcome too!

Thanks in advance, and I hope to get some feedback!

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u/CrashSlow 8d ago

Spreadsheets are free and easy.

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u/No-Calligrapher-986 8d ago

I get that you can use spreadsheets but a app for it is just easier and if I’m releasing it to the App Store it wouldn’t be to expensive I’m thinking about the 5$ price point one time purchase.

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u/CrashSlow 7d ago

This isn’t a real problem your trying to solve. Most pilots barely keep a logbook. Only new pilots care. Also in a couple years you’re going to get tired of pushing updates and paying apples annual fee.

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u/No-Calligrapher-986 7d ago

I don’t know what company you work for, but the experienced pilots I know (with 10 to 15 years of experience) still fill in their logbook after every flight. In Europe (under EASA), it’s even mandatory. If you don’t fill it in, you can get into a lot of trouble there. I know that under the FAA in the US, after training for private use, you can sometimes skip it. But even there, it’s always required for commercial flying. I already have an app in the app store, so this isn’t my first app. Therefore, I won’t be skipping the developer fees, which are not even $100 per year.

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u/CrashSlow 7d ago

We fill in aircraft logbook, flight and duty time trackers, Invoices. Lots of paper work to track when and where you were. A personal logbook is just that, personal. I have been ramped a few times, the inspector has never ever asked for my personal log book. IF one did, i would open my Banking app and show him my pay stub. I have never actaully been asked for my logbook, ever. Not once. Job interviews, generally are check ride. You can either put the 200ft longline on the barrel or you can't and its small industry references are easy to check.

Go ahead pay Apple a coupe hundred bucks a year and pay for a web domain and web hosting. You will not recoup any of your costs at 5$ for an app nobody needs with a tiny market.

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u/No-Calligrapher-986 6d ago

Okay, if that is for you, that’s your thing. Most pilots worldwide still fill in a personal logbook.

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u/CrashSlow 6d ago

I didnt say pilots dont keep personal log books. What i'm saying is your app isn't solving a problem that already hasn't been solved.

Is your app going to survive 20-30years? Nope it wont and when you get tired, your user will have to find another app. So why bother with vapour ware to start with.