Your X Test Pilot logbook stores every flight inside the logbook file itself. That is what makes it private and subscription-free. It also means the file is your record, so it deserves the same care as a passport.
1. Save after every session
After logging flights, press Save file. Your browser downloads an updated copy of the logbook. Replace your old file with this new one so you always open the latest version.
Tip: give the file a fixed home, such as a Logbook folder in your cloud drive, and always save over it.
2. Keep it in a cloud drive
Store the logbook in iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox. If your laptop is lost or damaged, your logbook is still there, and you can open it on another computer or iPad.
3. Keep an offline copy
Every few months, copy the file to a USB stick or external drive and keep it somewhere separate from your computer.
4. Export a backup now and then
On the Logbook page, use Backup to download a JSON backup and CSV to download a spreadsheet of your flights. The JSON backup can be restored into the logbook. The CSV opens in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets, so your data is always readable.
5. Print the important pages
Before a checkride or at the end of each year, print your pages or save them as PDF. A signed paper copy is a useful extra safeguard.
The one-minute routine
- Log your flights.
- Press Save file and replace the old file.
- Once a month, export a JSON backup to your cloud drive.
That is all it takes to keep years of flying safe.