PILOTLOG - CrewLounge AERO

Well supported by quick & correct responses to queries, I keep on finding more uses for this pilot logbook app. I am on the full Enterprise edition, well worth it.

After some research I paid for 5 years and was initially happy. I could download my roster and the ACARS upload worked well. Out of nowhere, CrewLounge removed the roster upload function making the app frustrating and time consuming. Manually writing in your roster every month is nothing but a backward step. Whilst many other apps still support roster uploading, CrewLounge claim it’s too difficult. I assume they don’t want to pay the money involved in supporting this invaluable feature. I’d avoid this online logbook and find a better alternative.

After paying “lifetime subscriptions”, the MAIN FEATURE of roster importing is suddenly withdrawn. Let me guess, an “all new app” will emerge, with the offer of a one off fee. BEWARE

The app itself is ok. It’s not great. They have tried to make it cross platform but as a result there are huge trade offs and many interface issues on Mac OS. But the worst part is, the app has always been able to interface with eMaestro but in the last few weeks, it has stopped working. Their response to this? “Yes sorry, it’s complicated and it won’t be coming back”. A core functionality and the very reason I got it won’t be returning as apparently it’s too difficult. Other log books don’t seem to have any issue. The poor interface issues on Mac I can put up with because it imported all my flying for me. Now that’s gone, I’m out.

Back in 2018 I purchased a lifetime licence for MCC pilot log with documented promises of a forthcoming update on their App Store review responses. This update never surfaced, instead arriving as a re-packaged app that required a subscription or a 2nd lifetime licence purchase - Crew lounge pilot log. When pointing out the obvious stupidity in a complaint I was advised that the original MCC licence WAS still a lifetime licence and could continue to be used. Apparently not though as the app is no longer available in my region (UK). Against my better judgement I made a further payment for a lifetime license and all was well until the company have again reneged on the features advertised having now pulled support for roster download. Save yourself the hassle of having to transfer your logbook at a later date and look elsewhere. I wish I had. I’ll be keeping regular local backups as I’ve no doubt the developer will continue to disappoint.

A once very good app has seemingly been neglected and left to deteriorate. The latest decision from the developers to discontinue support for auto-download of rosters comes in a long line of broken promises and dishonest moves that date back a number of years from the switch from MCCPilotLog. On that occasion, users who had paid a lifetime subscription were then told that they would also have to pay an ongoing subscription fee to continue using the service. Dear Developers, Auto-download of rosters was an essential feature. Having spoken to colleagues, a number of whom are monthly subscribers, we will all be moving away unless this is fixed. I’m sorry to say it but don’t waste your time or money on this folks!

Generally the app works fairly well, though a couple of years ago when they updated the software, they did decide that existing users who had paid for a lifetime licence would have to pay again because they wanted to start charging everyone a subscription. Very shady. Now they have decided that they will no longer support automatic downloading of your roster from any airline (despite what the advertising images say), and instead you have go through a convoluted process manually download your roster as a file from your airline (if your airline even supports that) and then manually import it into the app. For a product that the user would hope to continue using for the rest of their career, this company simply can not be trusted to look after your logbook!

First paid for a lifetime membership in 2017, this was quickly ended when the company changed names only, then I paid a second lifetime membership which has just been effectively ended by the company refusing to support the only thing that made this software any better than the free alternative - roster import functionality. Now I have to once again migrate all my data to another provider. Thanks a bunch.

After numerous problems with this logbook they have now completely withdrawn the feature of automatically importing your flights. This was the main reason for an electronic logbook. The developers don’t seem able to keep up to speed with technology and you can’t rely on this working when you need it. Highly disappointing as its predecessor MCCPilotlog was excellent. Don’t waste your money on this - there are other far more reliable products

Continues with simple and well done logbook app and software from previous mccpilot log. Very happy with this app helps me on a daily basis.