Presentation by:
NSIKAN AMANA
INTRODUCTION
Report is always used to monitor data in any organization. This plays a vital role in measuring the success of operational activities and projects in every Airport Department/Unit. Put simply, reporting is a way of documenting and communicating information. In every given workplace such as an airport, there are procedures for reporting incidents, occurrences, as well as daily activities. At the airport, the day-to-day operational activities are mostly recorded and reported procedurally using the logbook.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE LOGBOOK
The logbook originated with the ship’s logbook, (shipping being one of the early means of modern transportation). It was a maritime record of important events in the management, operation and navigational win speed, direction as well as the position of the ship at intervals. Significantly, the Maritime, Military and Aviation Industry mostly write logs as their day-to-day operational reporting procedure.
WHAT A LOGBOOK IS
A Logbook can be defined as a comprehensive record book in which events and details relating to something are recorded. Narrowing down to the aviation industry, it is a record of performance, event or day-to-day operational activities. Just as aircraft logbook contains every detail of event from serious engine overhaul to simple oil filter change, all other arms/units in the aviation industry use logbooks to give details of daily activities.
FEATURES OF A STANDARD LOGBOOK
A standard logbook provides a record of one’s work activities. It also has provisions for other relevant information like the Reporter/Officer’s Name; Date; Airport/Company’s Name and Address; Department/Unit (in most cases); Hours on duty; etc. It often has three (3) copies of each page that are serially numbered, (ie pages come in triplicate).
IMPORTANCE OF LOG WRITING
The logbook serves as:
- a record document;
- a reference material; and
- a legal document.
Regarding the last point, completed logs are kept for at least 30 days. Where the log contains reported cases of litigation, it can be kept for a longer period of time. For instance, the Alaska Airlines incident (involving Boeing 737 max) shows the importance of keeping logs over the years, when there was a need for that. In this case, it helped the junior employees’ “voices” to be heard. As a record and reference document, a typical example is that of Boeing, where apparently, previous logs were neither fully read nor consulted by the Company’s personnel concerned and which resulted in aircrafts leaving the factories with incomplete parts/components; and which later caused the Alaska Airlines incident. Simply put, log writing ensures that valuable information are easily maintained and safely kept.
IMPORTANCE OF READING THE LOG AFTER TAKING OVER DUTY
To acquaint the Officer with happenings of the previous watch(es).
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT READING THE LOG OR NOT WRITING IT PROPERLY
This results in:
- the inability of the Officer concerned to defend himself in the event that an incident occurred.
- permanent loss of valuable information.
GUIDELINES TO PROPER LOG WRITING
- Write as closely as possible, leaving no spaces or lines between entries to discourage others from making alterations (filling the spaces with fictitious or implicating items).
- Make each entry as it occurs, chronologically by time.
- Cancel out mistakes by drawing a single faint line through them, and not by overwriting. Mistakes should still be readable.
- Do not use correction fluid to conceal out mistakes in the log.
- Do not number the entries.
RULES OF LOG WRITING
- Cross check every entry before signing out, since you are to take responsibility for the signed document bearing your name.
- Never append your signature on another person’s log as s/he could eventually deny responsibility for it.
- When accepting to work for/stand in for someone, the log entry should be in your name as the accountable officer on the day (or period in question).
- Never simulate your log. That is, copy from a previous log report and make minor changes to keep it “original”. Write only what happened, what you saw, and what you can defend.
- In the event that you resumed or took over duty late (mid-shift), your log report should begin from the time that you took over duty; and cover only the period that you were on duty.
- Do not leave your log report incomplete at the close of work or shift.
- Dignify your log book/report accordingly. Do not doodle on it or tear it out for personal business/interest.
Note
In case of an emergency or litigation, the logbook can be impounded at the instance of the Supervising Authority, Airport Management, Regulatory Agencies/Authority, etc. for further investigation.
CONCLUSION
Evidently, the log report can make or mar one’s life or career. Proper use of the logbook is both legal and moral. Therefore, do not disdain log writing for whatever reason.
REFERENCE
- Aerospace Research Central (ARC)
- Airport Council International
- Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN)
- Cessna Owner Organization.org
