Last updated 2026-10-03
Why your experience logbook matters
Licensing systems ask you to prove practical maintenance experience. Under EASA Part-66, for example, point 66.A.30 sets the minimum practical experience for each licence category, and the amount depends on the category and on your previous training, such as an approved Part-147 basic training course. Type ratings and category extensions can also require documented practical experience on representative tasks.
The evidence is usually a personal logbook: a dated record of the tasks you did, the aircraft, your role, and a sign-off from a supervisor or certifying staff. A logbook that is complete, legible and consistent makes the assessor's job easy, and yours too.
The 14 columns, explained
Most EASA-style experience logbooks use a layout like the one below. Experience Logbook uses exactly these columns for its PDF exports.
| # | Column | What to record | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Date | When the task was performed. | 01/10/2026 |
| 2 | Location | Station or airport, as an ICAO code. | LGAV |
| 3 | A/C or comp. type | Aircraft type, plus engine or component type in brackets. | Airbus A320-200 (CFM56-5B4) |
| 4 | A/C reg. or comp. S/N | Aircraft registration, or the component serial number. | SX-DVK |
| 5 | Type of maintenance (rating) | e.g. line or base maintenance, or the rating the work relates to. | Line maintenance |
| 6 | Privilege used | The capacity you worked in. | B1 – certifying staff |
| 7 | Task type | One or more of FOT, SGH, R/I, MEL, TS, MOD, REP, INS. | TS, R/I, FOT |
| 8 | Activity type | Training, Perform, Supervise and/or CRS. | Perform, CRS |
| 9 | ATA | ATA chapter of the system worked on. | 21 |
| 10 | Operation performed | A short, specific description, with the maintenance data reference. | Troubleshot PACK 1 overheat, replaced pack outlet temp sensor IAW AMM 21-63-15 |
| 11 | Time duration | Hours spent on the task. | 2.5 |
| 12 | Maintenance record ref. | Work order, task card or tech log reference. | TLB 004512 / 3 |
| 13 | Remarks | Anything worth noting. | Ops test OK |
| 14 | Supervisor sign-off | Signed by your supervisor on the printed logbook. | (signature) |
Task type codes
Column 7 classifies what kind of work you did. Tick every code that applies. A replacement with an ops test is both R/I and FOT, for example.
| Code | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
FOT | Functional / Operational Test | Testing a system or component works as specified, e.g. an ops test after a replacement. |
SGH | Servicing / Ground Handling | Replenishing fluids, oil and gases, towing, jacking, cleaning and similar tasks. |
R/I | Removal / Installation | Removing and installing components, e.g. a wheel, a sensor or an LRU. |
MEL | Minimum Equipment List | Deferring a defect under the MEL, including any required (M) maintenance procedures. |
TS | Troubleshooting | Isolating the cause of a fault using the TSM, BITE tests and systematic checks. |
MOD | Modification | Embodying a modification or service bulletin, including software loads. |
REP | Repair | Repairing damage to structure or components within approved data. |
INS | Inspection | Visual, detailed, borescope or scheduled inspections and checks. |
Activity types
Column 8 records your role in the task. You can tick more than one, e.g. Perform and CRS when you did the job and released it.
| Activity | When to tick it |
|---|---|
| Training | You carried out the task under training or instruction. |
| Perform | You performed the task yourself. |
| Supervise | You supervised others performing the task. |
| CRS | You issued the Certificate of Release to Service for the task. |
Writing good entries
The operation performed is the column assessors read most. Be specific, name the system and component, and reference the maintenance data you used.
| Weak entry | Strong entry |
|---|---|
| Changed wheel | Replaced #3 main wheel assembly IAW AMM 32-41-11, tyre worn to limits |
| Fixed pack | Troubleshot PACK 1 overheat, replaced pack outlet temp sensor IAW AMM 21-63-15, ops test OK |
| Oil | Engine oil servicing ENG 1 & 2, IDG oil levels checked |
| Deferred defect | Pitot 2 heat inop – deferred IAW MEL 30-31-01, Cat. C |
Tips from the hangar floor
- Log on the same day. Details fade fast. Logging on your phone right after the job is the single best habit.
- Always add a record reference. A work order or tech log number lets anyone trace your entry back to the official record.
- Spread across ATA chapters. Assessors look for breadth. Filter your logbook by ATA chapter or task type to spot gaps early.
- Get sign-offs regularly. Ask for your supervisor's signature monthly rather than chasing people years later.
- Keep a backup. A paper logbook is a single point of failure. Keep a digital copy and export a PDF from time to time.
- Respect confidentiality. Record what you did, not sensitive operator information you are not allowed to share.
FAA A&P applicants
If you are qualifying for an FAA mechanic certificate through practical experience, 14 CFR 65.77 requires documented experience: at least 18 months for one rating (airframe or powerplant) or 30 months for both, working on procedures, practices, materials, tools and equipment appropriate to the rating sought. A detailed, dated, signed log of the work you performed is the usual way to show it. Experience Logbook exports an FAA-style PDF for exactly this.