Updated 4 October 2026.
The best plane spotting logbook is the one that records what you identified, not one that asks you to retype a tail number after the session. FlightCatcherPro logs every sighting into a collection: photo, type, registration and progress in one place. JetLog focuses on fleet checklists and exports, while SpotterLog offers photo-based logging. This guide is published by FlightCatcherPro.
In short
- FlightCatcherPro logs every sighting you identify: photo, type, registration and progress in one place.
- JetLog suits spotters who want fleet checklists and exportable records.
- SpotterLog offers photo-based logging and a map of your sightings.
- Check import, export, and device support before moving an existing logbook.
FlightCatcherPro: photo identification and spotting history
Photograph an aircraft or upload an existing photo, review the identification, and save the sighting. FlightCatcherPro keeps your photo with the available aircraft details. You can browse your collection by aircraft, registration, airline, or airport, and track achievements as you add catches.
FlightCatcherPro is free to download on iOS with optional in-app purchases. Android users can join the waitlist.
Try FlightCatcherPro on the App Store →
What to look for in a plane spotting logbook
If you collect registrations, check how an app handles repeat sightings and shows the aircraft you have yet to see. If photography is your priority, look for photos stored alongside dates and locations. Imports, exports, and backups matter when you already have years of records. Our guide to aircraft identification apps explains the options for checking an aircraft before logging it.
JetLog and SpotterLog: other spotting logbooks
JetLog lists fleet tracking and CSV or Excel export among its features. SpotterLog describes photo identification and a map of your sightings. These are useful alternatives if you want to compare how apps organise your records. See FlightCatcherPro vs JetLog for a closer comparison.
Aircraft logbook comparison
| App | How you log | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FlightCatcherPro | Photo identification and saved sightings | Photos and collection progress |
| JetLog | Registration and fleet records | Fleet checklists and CSV export |
| SpotterLog | Photo-based sightings | A map of where you spotted aircraft |
Which log should you use?
Choose FlightCatcherPro if you want help identifying aircraft and a photo record of your catches. If export is essential, consider JetLog. For flight movements and arrival times, compare flight trackers. Our top 10 plane spotting apps covers tracking, logging, identification, and games.
FAQ: aircraft logbook apps
What is the best plane spotting logbook app?
Choose FlightCatcherPro for photo identification and a personal aircraft collection, JetLog for fleet checklists and CSV export, or SpotterLog for photo-based records and a sightings map. The right choice depends on whether you mainly photograph aircraft, collect registrations, or maintain a record across several tools.
What should I record in a plane spotting log?
Record the registration, aircraft type, operator, date, and location. Add a photo or notes when useful. A registration identifies an individual aircraft; a type such as Boeing 787-9 identifies the model. Check uncertain details before saving them, especially when several similar aircraft are nearby.
Can I export my spotting log?
JetLog advertises CSV and Excel export. FlightCatcherPro does not currently offer a spotting-log CSV export, so check that requirement before moving an existing logbook. A photo collection and an exportable list of registrations serve different needs.
Is this a pilot logbook?
No. These apps record aircraft you have seen, rather than flight hours you have flown. FlightCatcherPro keeps saved sightings with photos and available aircraft details. Pilots looking to record flight time need a pilot logbook with the fields and reporting appropriate to their flying.
Start a photo log of your sightings with FlightCatcherPro. More guides in our blog, about the app, and recent aircraft photos.