Aircraft Maintenance Logbook Entries Made Easy Logbook Entry Creator Program Instruction Manual www.ronsaviationsoftware.com Rons Aviation Software V1.2 The log book entry creator program is designed to maximize efficiency and minimize effort in making logbook maintenance entries for the aviation technician. 1
MAIN MENU The main menu has four buttons (1) To create a new log book entry (2) To gain access to and take action on the previously created archive of log book entries (3) To add, edit or delete information in the lists of standard/custom entries and (4) To Exit the program. 2
LOGBOOK ENTRY FORM The logbook entry form is where you enter the information for a new logbook entry. To navigate between the data entry boxes you can either use the [Tab] key or you can point and click with the mouse pointer. There are six boxes on this form that contain standard entries where you can select a preprogrammed standard entry from a list rather than having to type it. The standard entries appear as a rectangular entry box with a downward pointing arrow on the right side ( ). When you enter this box you can either use the up/down arrow keys or point and click with the mouse pointer to select your desired entry. If the list does not contain the entry you want, you may type in the entry and press the enter key. The program will notify you that the entry you typed in is not in the list and ask you if you would like to add it. The next time you access this box, the information that you added will be available in the pull down list. At the bottom of this form are three control buttons (1) To save this newly created record and return to the Main Menu, (2) To save this newly created record and Print Preview it, and (3) Undo the entry just created and return to the Main Menu. NOTE: Use of the [Enter] key will move your selection between the entry boxes EXCEPT when you are entering data in any one of the 3 large boxes located below the (Type of Inspection ), (Detailed Description ), and (Statement Indicating ) described areas. The use of the Enter Key within these will not move to the next data entry box; instead it moves to a new line within this data entry area. This feature was created by design. You may find it easier to navigate between the data entry areas using the [Tab] key and then use the arrow keys to navigate within a given area. 3
CUSTOM ENTRIES On the Log Entry Form near the lower right corner is a control button labeled Custom Entries. When you click on this button, the Custom Entry Item List will appear: This form allows you to gain access to and insert text from your own list of frequently used entries. You may then retrieve them by copying, and then pasting them into your logbook entry. The technique is explained as follows: Use the [Tab] key to move to the desired Recurring Item Logbook Entry. Note that the text within the selected area is displayed in reverse image (letters are light and the background is black). This designates that all the text in a given area is selected. Next, press and hold down the [Ctrl] key and press the [C] key. This technique selects the text and copies it to the clipboard. To return to the logbook entry, mouse click the button on the bottom of this form (Close and Return to Log Entry). You will be returned to the Log Entry Form and the cursor will be in the Detailed Description... area. Move the cursor to the desired location in your entry where you would like to insert the copied information and then press and hold down the [Ctrl] key and press the [V] key. The verbiage that you selected is now pasted into the logbook entry. 4
ARCHIVE OF LOGBOOK ENTRIES FORM The archive of log book entries form allows you to gain access to previously created log book entries. Within this form you can select an archive record by using the mouse pointer on the small select box (below the Sel. column) to the left of the record and left clicking with the mouse pointer to perform an action on this particular record or records. When you have selected a record, a checkmark appears inside the select box ( ). Clicking on the box a second time will remove the checkmark and deselect it. Once selected you have a choice of, (1) Editing the selected entry, (2) Deleting the selected entry(s), (3) Print previewing the selected entry(s) or (4) Returning to the Main Menu. You may select more than one archive entries at a time and print preview or delete them as a group. If you want to Edit one of the previously created log entries, make sure to only select one record because the program will not accept less than or more than one record for editing. 5
EDIT STANDARD ENTRIES When you select the standard entries button on the Main Menu it will allow you to gain access to each of the seven different categories that contain standard entries. You may add to, modify information in, or delete information in any of the categories. All the different categories have the same basic format and style. 6
STANDARD ENTRY SAMPLE If you want to delete an entry in any category, simply use the mouse pointer and left click on the record selector box immediately to the left of the record. The pointer for that record will change to a reverse image ( ) indicating that all the information in that record is being selected. Once you have done this, press the [Delete] key and the record will be deleted. Prior to deletion, a pop up box will appear giving you an opportunity to reverse your decision. You cannot delete an entry merely by backspacing over the information. Additionally, you cannot enter a duplicate entry. If you do, a popup box will tell you that you cannot enter a duplicate value. To add a new item to the list, move the cursor to a blank record that is identified as a record adjacent to the (*). 7
PRINT PREVIEW Once you have selected a print preview of the log entry, you have the ability to see the format and appearance of the log entry prior to actual printing. At this point if the entry does not look correct you may close the print preview (click on Close at the top of the screen) which will return you to the main menu. You may then go to the archive, select the log entry that needs to be corrected, make the appropriate corrections and then return to print preview. When you click on the print icon button ( ) (at the top of the screen), a printer dialog box will appear. Make sure you have selected a valid printer for your computer and the printer is turned on. The magnifying glass and the percentage box just to the right of it allows you to enlarge or reduce the size of the document for your viewing preferences. You also have the option of printing the logbook entries in three different widths; (Narrow Width 5 ½, Medium Width 6 ½ and Wide Width 7 ½ ). Click on the width label at the top to select a width. 8
Key Combinations Key Actions [Ctrl] + [C] [Ctrl] + [V] [Ctrl] + [X] [Tab] [Shift] + [Tab] Result Copies the Selected Entry to the clipboard Pastes the Selected Entry from the clipboard Deletes the Selected Entry & moves to clipboard Moves to the next data entry field Moves to the previous data entry field Additional Tips You may find it easier to use the [Tab] key to navigate through a form and the arrow keys to maneuver within a selection. When you Tab to a select button, press the [Enter] key to choose the action for that button. As an alternative to selecting text for copying, you can use the mouse pointer and hold down the left mouse button while dragging the pointer across the text. Then when the selected text has been highlighted you may use the [Ctrl] + [C] key combination to copy the text to the clipboard or use [Ctrl] + [x] to delete the text. 9