FAA Compliance

Logbook by Project 1903 is designed to meet FAA standards for electronic signatures, electronic recordkeeping, and electronic manuals as outlined in AC 120-78B.

No FAA Approval Required for Part 61, 63, 65, 91, 129, or 137 Operations

According to FAA AC 120-78B Section 1.9.5: "There is No Requirement for Formal Approval, Acceptance, or Authorization for 14 CFR Part 61, 63, 65, 91 (excluding 91K), 129, or 137."

This means most general aviation pilots, aircraft owners, and maintenance personnel can use Logbook immediately without FAA approval. However, we recommend following the guidelines set forth in AC 120-78B to ensure your electronic logbook meets all regulatory requirements.

Working with the FAA for Part 121, 125, 135, and Other Operators

For operators under 14 CFR Parts 121, 125, 135, 91K, and other commercial operations, we are actively working with the FAA to obtain formal approval through OpSpec A025. Our system is designed from the ground up to meet all requirements for electronic signatures, electronic recordkeeping systems, and electronic manual systems.

Contact us to discuss your operation's specific requirements →

How Logbook Complies with AC 120-78B

Electronic Signatures (Chapter 2)

Our digital signature system meets all key elements required by AC 120-78B for valid electronic signatures:

Signature Uniqueness

Each signature is cryptographically unique to the signer using secure authentication methods.

Identity Authentication

We verify and authenticate each signer's identity through secure login.

Sole Control

Signatures are under the sole control of the signer through password-protected accounts and secure sessions.

Intent to Sign

Users are prompted before signing and must take deliberate action to affix their signature.

Nonrepudiation

Signatures include timestamp and certificate information to prevent denial of signing.

Permanent & Unalterable

Once signed, documents cannot be edited without invalidating the signature and requiring a new one.

Digital signature interface showing A&P certificate number, timestamp, and signature prompt

Digital signature interface

Electronic Recordkeeping (Chapter 3)

Our electronic recordkeeping system provides equivalent or better data integrity, accuracy, and accessibility than paper records:

Controlled Access

Role-based access control ensures only authorized users can view or modify records.

Record Preservation

Records are preserved and unalterable without proper authentication. Audit trails track all changes.

Data Protection

End-to-end encryption protects confidential information and prevents unauthorized access.

Backup Measures

Automatic daily backups to multiple secure servers ensure records are never lost, with disaster recovery procedures in place.

IT System Support

24/7 monitoring and support with provisions for system outages and data protection.

Complete Record Data

All required elements are captured: event type, date/time, personnel, aircraft info, and signatures.

Signed maintenance log entry showing all required fields with locked status

Signed and locked maintenance entry with complete audit trail

PDF Export & Record Transfer

Our professional PDF export system ensures compliance with record transfer requirements (14 CFR §§ 91.419, 121.380a, and 135.441):

  • Generate complete logbook PDFs with all signatures, timestamps, and certificate information
  • Include attached photos and supporting documents
  • Maintain signature validity and authenticity in exported format
  • Provide for email or direct transfer to new owners, buyers, or maintenance providers
  • Support continuity of records when transferring between systems
PDF export showing logbook entry with complete digital signature verification

Professional PDF export with verified digital signatures and complete entry details

Data Security & Integrity

We employ industry-standard security measures to ensure your records are protected:

  • Encryption: All data encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256)
  • Cloud Infrastructure: Hosted on enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure with 99.9% uptime SLA
  • Geographic Redundancy: Data replicated across multiple regions for disaster recovery
  • Audit Trails: Complete activity logs track who accessed or modified records and when
  • Data Backup: Automated daily backups with 30-day retention and point-in-time recovery
  • Access Controls: Multi-factor authentication available for enhanced security

Quality Control & Auditing

Our system includes comprehensive quality control and auditing measures as required by AC 120-78B:

  • Automated data verification processes ensure accuracy of all entries
  • Regular security audits and penetration testing
  • Compliance monitoring to ensure continued adherence to FAA guidelines
  • Version control and change tracking for all system updates
  • User activity monitoring and anomaly detection

Making Records Available to FAA & NTSB

In accordance with 14 CFR § 119.59 and 49 CFR § 830.1, we make it easy to provide records to the FAA and NTSB when required:

  • Export complete logbooks or specific date ranges as PDF
  • Share read-only access links with inspectors
  • Generate compliance reports for specific aircraft or time periods
  • Provide records in formats acceptable to requesting agencies

Training & User Instructions

We provide comprehensive training and documentation to ensure all users understand how to properly use the electronic signature and recordkeeping systems:

  • In-app tutorials and guided walkthroughs for new users
  • Video training library covering all major features
  • Written documentation explaining proper procedures
  • Best practices guides for mechanics, owners, and flight schools
  • Support resources including email, phone, and live chat

Reference Documents

FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-78B: Electronic Signatures, Electronic Recordkeeping, and Electronic Manuals (December 11, 2024)

Read the full AC 120-78B document →

Key Regulatory References:

  • 14 CFR Part 43 - Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration
  • 14 CFR Part 61 - Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors
  • 14 CFR Part 65 - Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers
  • 14 CFR Part 91 - General Operating and Flight Rules
  • Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-Sign Act)

Questions About Compliance?

Our team is here to help you understand how Logbook meets FAA requirements for your specific operation. Whether you're a Part 91 owner, Part 135 operator, or flight school, we can answer your compliance questions.

Contact our compliance team →