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Middle East Pilot Logbook Requirements: Key Differences Between GCAA, GACA, and Other CAAs

Updated: Jun 26

Overview: Why Understanding Logbook Differences Matters

For airline pilots working across the Middle East, staying compliant with national aviation authorities is not just a bureaucratic requirement—it’s a professional necessity. Whether you're based in the UAE under GCAA, flying with a Saudi operator under GACA, or operating under Oman CAA, the pilot logbook standards differ slightly but significantly across these jurisdictions.


In this guide, we’ll break down and compare the core requirements of GCAA (UAE), GACA (Saudi Arabia), and Oman CAA, helping pilots avoid compliance pitfalls and streamline their license renewals or conversions.

🇦🇪 UAE – GCAA Logbook Requirements

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) governs pilot licensing in the UAE. Here’s what’s essential for your logbook to meet CAR Part II and CAR-FCL regulations:


✅ Logbook Standards

  • Must clearly record:

    • Total time

    • Pilot-in-command (PIC), Co-pilot, Dual, Simulator time

    • Day/Night operations

    • Instrument time (IFR/IMC)

  • Entries must be chronological, dated, and signed/validated

  • All simulator entries must mention device type and approval per CAR-FCL


✅ Format Accepted

  • Digital logbooks are accepted if:

    • They allow secure backups

    • Provide time-stamped entries

    • Are exportable in printable PDF or Excel formats

    • Can be signed digitally or physically

Wingman Logbook ensures GCAA-compliant structuring, including auto-calculated totals and categorized flight types. You can export your log in GCAA-ready formats with just a tap.

✅ Validation Points

  • Entries must align with approved training syllabus

  • For renewals, evidence of recency (last 90 days) is mandatory

  • Endorsements from Approved Training Organisations (ATO) are required


🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia – GACA Logbook Requirements

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) outlines pilot logbook rules under GACAR Part 61.


Mandatory Elements

  • Complete record of:

    • Takeoffs and landings

    • Simulator hours

    • PIC, SIC, Night, Cross-country time

  • Signed entries for every training session or exam

  • Simulator logs must show FAA/EASA or GACA approval


Logbook Format Accepted

  • GACA accepts digital logbooks for log verification and audits if:

    • The digital log is tamper-proof

    • Backup and retrieval options exist

    • It can generate reports per GACAR Part 61

With Wingman, Saudi-based pilots can auto-import their airline rosters and log all duty time in GACA-auditable formats, saving hours of manual entry.

During License Renewal

  • A current and valid medical certificate (GACAR Part 67)

  • 90-day takeoff/landing recency for commercial ops

  • All flight time must be verified by the operator or examiner


🇴🇲 Oman – CAA Logbook Guidelines

Oman CAA has harmonized much of its pilot licensing framework with ICAO Annex 1 and UAE GCAA formats, but there are some national nuances.


What Must Be Logged

  • Dates of flight

  • Aircraft registration and type

  • Simulator hours with type & authority approval

  • Duty time vs block time clearly separated

  • Clear mention of Night/IFR/PIC/SIC


Refer to Oman CAA’s AELTR guidance for up-to-date forms and formats.


Accepted Formats

  • Handwritten logbooks still accepted—but subject to audit

  • Digital logs increasingly preferred, especially for:

    • E-License renewal

    • FTL reviews

    • Multi-aircraft auditing



Comparison Table

CAA

Digital Accepted

Print Required

Signature Needed

ICAO Format

Wingman Export Ready

GCAA (UAE)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

GACA (KSA)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

QCAA (Qatar)

Yes

Optional

Yes

Yes

Oman CAA

Yes (Hybrid)

Yes

Yes

Yes

DGCA (Kuwait/Bahrain)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • ❌ Not tagging simulator types and authority

  • ❌ Failing to separate IFR and VFR clearly

  • ❌ Using non-exportable mobile apps with no print formats

  • ❌ Submitting logbooks without total recency calculations


🛠️ How Wingman Logbook Solves the Problem

Most logbook errors arise from manual calculation errors, loss of data, or formatting mismatches.Wingman Pilot Logbook eliminates these issues through:

  • Auto-import of flight data from your airline roster

  • Authority-specific export templates for GCAA, GACA, and Oman CAA

  • ✅ Built-in recency calculators and FTL dashboards

  • Cloud backup and mobile/web sync


Try Wingman Now – and make compliance effortless.



Testimonials

“I just needed to export my GACA-compliant Wingman log, sign it, and hand it over—no drama.”– Ali R., Saudi Arabia-based A320 FO
“Wingman’s QCAA export saved me a full day. Their format was exactly what the officer asked for.”– Yousef A., Qatar Airways


🔗 Key References


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