Re: Pilot log book software for Linux?

["John C. Peterson" <jaypee@netcom.com>]

Amos Shapira writes:
>
>Hi,
>
>I'm a glider pilot (but sometimes take an hour of engined flight
>lesson) and the thing I miss the most right now is a good pilot log
>book program which I can use under Linux.
>
>The way it would look if I had time to write it would be a Java or
>Gnome application which saves its data in XML format, export/import
>to/from comma-separated file format and extensive intelligence
>(e.g. figure out the cost of a flight from the time, method of launch,
>number of seats, who I flew with (instructor vs. a guest vs. a club
>member), figure out the data about the aircraft (seats, price, owner,
>type) from its designation.  Automatic summery of columns by aircraft
>type, flight type, period (last 6 months vs. last 12 months), launch
>method etc.
>
>Having a version in Java should help a lot in making this portable -
>I'm looking forward to be able to run such a beast on my Psion 5,
>portability is also a reason for using XML.
>
>Does anyone know about such a thing, or plan to write one?  I'd love
>to write it (and polish my Java, XML and maybe CORBA on the way) but
>I lack the time.
>
>Thanks,
>

Hi Amos,

There is a gtk+ based pilot's logbook program, see:

	ftp://ftp.stampede.org/skibum/gplbp-0.90.tar.gz

I think most power pilots would like the design and find the features
adequate. However, from one glider pilot to another, I found the design
for supporting soaring flights to be sorely lacking. For example, there
is no mechanism for entering release or maximum altitudes. If you have
ever compared plain paper logbooks, you notice that glider and power
logbooks are *very* different.  I think that electronic logbooks that
attempt to support multiple category aircraft should be designed using
different "modes", that use appropriate entry forms for the respective
categories. (I hope my complaints on this are taken as constructive).

There are also a number of spreadsheet based logbooks out there that
work under Linux. One I have not tried, but seen mentioned several
times on USENET can be found at;

	http://home.sprynet.com/~jayschne/

However, I believe this is also designed for powered aircraft. I recall
seeing at least one spreadsheet based logbook for soaring flights.
Unfortunately, I didn't save the reference :^( Let us know if you
turn up anything.

Best Regards, John

-- 
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