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BY Adam Hunt

A COPA member asked what happens if you lose your pilot logbook, how can you apply for higher licences? Fortunately, Transport Canada has already thought of this problem and has written a rule to cover it. Pilots may consider having a back-up record, perhaps on a computer disk, stored separately, just in case. Here is the Canadian Aviation Regulation that tells you what to do if you lose your logbook:
421.08 Personal Logs
(1) Loss of Personal Log
An applicant for a flight crew permit, licence or rating who is unable to provide proof of flying experience by means of a personal log, due to extenuating circumstances such as the loss of records through fire, theft or other similar cause, may submit an Affidavit or Statutory Declaration sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, to the Minister.
(a) The affidavit or declaration shall contain a breakdown of flying experience claimed, appropriate to the permit, licence or rating applied for and shall include the following details:
(i) hours flown by day and by night on single and multi-engine aircraft as pilot-in-command, co-pilot and dual;
(ii) hours flown cross-country by day and by night as pilot-in-command, co-pilot and dual;
(iii) hours of instrument flight time and approved instrument ground trainer time;
(iv) aircraft types and registrations; and
(v) where applicable, names of employers and dates of employment.
(b) The affidavit or declaration shall contain an explanation of the circumstances which prevented the submission of a personal log and a statement declaring that all attempts to reproduce and certify entries in a personal log have been unsuccessful.
(c) Wherever practicable, the applicant shall obtain corroborating evidence, such as copies of journey log book entries.
(d) Affidavits or Statutory Declarations submitted without corroborating evidence shall not be accepted by the Minister as evidence of flying experience beyond that required for the issue of a Commercial Pilot Licence.
(e) The applicant shall, in addition, successfully complete all examinations and tests required for the permit, licence or rating applied for.
(2) Lack of Personal Log - Foreign Licence Holders
Holders of pilot licences issued by a Contracting State who are unable to provide a certified personal log may be credited by the Minister with the minimum flying experience specified in ICAO Annex 1 for the foreign licence held.