Flight log books

Flight log book setup records

Flight log books are used by the defense and commercial aircraft sectors to report aviation quality and maintenance. The number of engines, fuel tanks, and replenishment types for an aircraft can vary. To accommodate these variations, you create flight log book setup records that are used as templates to report your type of aircraft maintenance.

A flight log book setup record is a template for the specified model and variation. For example, you create a flight log book setup record for the x_jet model. This fighter jet has two engines, three fuel tanks, and two types of munitions. A flight log book that is created for an x_jet aircraft automatically shows and collects data for the two engines, three fuel tanks, and two types of munitions. If you do not specify a variation, then the flight log book setup record applies to all variations of the model.

Flight log book records

Flight log books provide an intuitive way for pilots, mechanics, and flight engineers to view and record data that is related to aircraft serviceability. When flight log books are in the active status, you can add flight data records to document information about flight data, personnel, replenishments, and munitions.

A flight log book tracks an aircraft through its lifecycle by displaying and collecting information that is related to the following statuses:

Flight log book status

Indicates that status of the flight log book record, such as draft, active, inactive, or locked. When you create a flight log book, it is in the draft status. You cannot add flight data records until you change the status of the flight log book to active. The status of the flight log book is not linked to the serviceability of the aircraft.

Aircraft status

Indicates the current condition of the aircraft, such as grounded, limited release to service, or released to service. The aircraft status is directly linked to open discrepancies. Only one aircraft status is associated with each flight log book record.

Discrepancy status

Indicates whether faults exist that affect the serviceability of the aircraft. If there are multiple discrepancy records, the one with the most severe status is linked to the aircraft status. For example, a flight log book has two discrepancy records. One discrepancy relates to a broken light, and the aircraft is allowed to fly under certain conditions. The other discrepancy relates to a crack in the fuselage, which requires immediate attention. Because of the severity of the second discrepancy, the status of the aircraft is grounded.

Deferral status

Indicates the status of a discrepancy that is deferred for later action. A deferral is a formal process for delaying the completion schedule of maintenance items. A deferral might be required for reasons such as the inability to obtain consumable parts, accessibility, or operational imperatives.

You create flight data records to store the details that are associated with the aircraft’s flights, such as departure and arrival times, on-block and off-block times, intermediate stops, meter values, personnel details, and replenishments. Only one flight data record can be active at a time.

You can use the inventory applications to track replenishments and munitions by using the inventory issues and returns processes. For non-rotable returns, you can select the default part for a replenishment. For configuration managed munition aircraft or equipment, you can select from the list of candidate parts based on the configuration rules that are associated with the build item.

If you are tracking munitions in the inventory applications, you can track the loading of munitions, expending of munitions, and unloading of munitions on active flight log book records. You can track both rotable parts, such as air-to-air missiles, and non-rotable parts, such as cannon rounds. The tracking of non-rotable parts stops after they are expended.

When you are tracking munitions, you add a row in the Munitions tab, select an option from the Type field for the process that you are tracking: LOAD, EXPENDED, or UNLOAD. You then select the build item. You are then able to enter data into the fields based on whether the munition is rotable or non-rotable, and the total quantities are automatically calculated. After you save the record for a rotable munition, the transaction is validated and the aircraft or equipment move occurs. For example, if you are recording a loading of an air-to-air missile, you select the serial number and can optionally select a work order. When the record is saved, the missile is installed on the aircraft or piece of equipment, because it was previously issued from the storeroom to the aircraft, piece of equipment, location, or work order.

Flight log books provide a way to track maintenance issues through the creation of discrepancy records. When the flight log book is active, you can create discrepancy records that are related to a flight data record. You can define post-flight inspection procedures in the flight log book setup record. Then, when you create a flight data record, a discrepancy is automatically created to ensure completion of the post-flight inspection. You can set mandatory failure reporting and include additional details on failures, such as failure codes and failure classifications.

Discrepancy records require corrective action to ensure that the aircraft is maintained according to regulatory requirements. The discrepancy record includes a code for the planned corrective action, a failure code, and a failure classification. When you save the discrepancy record, the discrepancy status is grounded. Depending on your security profile, you can change the status of the discrepancy record to allow usage of the aircraft. For example, if the fault does not affect the structural and mechanical integrity of the aircraft, you can change the status to limited release to service in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Revision of flight log book setup records

If changes to the template are required, the flight log book setup record is raised in revision and the status is changed to pending revision. After you save the changes, you can set the status of the flight log book setup record to active.

You can change the flight log book type for a specific flight log book and apply the latest revision of the flight log book setup record. For example, a new munition type is added to the flight log book setup record of the x_jet model. You can open a flight log book for a specific x_jet aircraft and change the flight log book type to the latest revision. Then, the flight log book of the x_jet aircraft includes information for this new munition type.

You can apply this action to multiple flight log books by selecting the same flight log book setup record from the List tab of the Flight Log Book application.