Help / Frequently Asked Questions

Duty and Flight Times & Pilot Logbook

How do I install Duty and Flight Times on my computer?

To install DFT - please follow the steps below:

  1. Insert the DFT installation CD
  2. This will begin the DFT installation. If the DFT installation does not begin:
    1. Start Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
    2. Expand My Computer
    3. Find the CD drive - it should be labelled DFT
    4. Click on the CD drive
    5. Double click the Setup program to begin the installation process
  3. Follow the prompts and install the default location and when prompted overwrite any existing files.
  4. Repeat the above steps for each computer from which you wish to run DFT. Even if you are intending to run DFT from a server - you must install DFT on each computer locally.

How do I setup Duty and Flight Times on my laptop?

Please refer to How do I install Duty and Flight Times on my computer? for further information on how to install DFT on your laptop. After installation of Duty and Flight Times you may want to transfer existing data onto your laptop. For further information please refer to How do I transfer my data onto my laptop?

If you do not have any existing records then a new set of records must be created on the server / main computer first and then the data transferred to your laptop. Creating the pilot information on the server / main computer is required so that the pilot files will contain the necessary information to run on a laptop without requiring a registration code. After creating the pilot, the data can then be copied to the laptop computer. For further information please refer to How do I transfer my data onto my laptop?

How do I upgrade Duty and Flight Times on my computer?

If you have received an Duty and Flight Times upgrade via a CD then refer to How do I install Duty and Flight Times on my computer? If you have received a Duty and Flight Times upgrade via email, then proceed with the following steps:

  1. Open the email that contains the DFT upgrade from Aviation Software
  2. The email will contain a link to the upgrade. Find the link and click on it. The link will typically be something like: http://www.aviationsoftware.com.au/updates/DFT_8_UPDATE_XXX.zip
  3. When promted with: Do you want to open or save this file? select Save
  4. Select Desktop in the Save In: list
  5. Select the Save button
  6. Run Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
  7. Select Desktop on the folders pane on the left hand side. (You may need to select View > Explorer Bar > Folders if the left hand side pane is not shown).
  8. Double click on the DFT_8_UPDATE_XXX.Zip file you downloaded
  9. Double click on the Setup program, the WinZip Self-Extractor will appear
  10. If you have installed DFT to a folder other than the standard folder C:\Program Files\Dft6 then change the Unzip to Folder directory
  11. Select Unzip
  12. This will install and copy the necessary files and install the update. The above process must be performed for each computer that will run DFT - even if you are running DFT using a server.

Saving your backup to CD

If you have received an update via email - it is important that you make a backup of the update onto a CD so that if DFT is re-installed in future you can easily install the update. Aviation Software will not provide free updates if you have not burnt the update to CD. You will be required to purchase a complete upgrade. To save your email upgrade to CD:

  1. Insert a blank CD into your CD drive.
  2. Run Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
  3. Select Desktop on the left hand side. (You may need to select View > Explorer Bar > Folders if the left hand side pane is not shown).
  4. Select the DFT_8_UPDATE_XXX.Zip file you downloaded from the steps detailed in How do I upgrade Duty and Flight Times on my computer?
  5. Select Edit > Copy from the menu
  6. Expand My Computer on the left hand side pane
  7. Find the CD drive in the folders list on the left hand side. (You may need to select View > Explorer Bar > Folders if the left hand side pane is not shown).
  8. Select the CD drive
  9. Select Edit > Paste from the menu bar at the top of Windows Explorer to copy the DFT_8_UPDATE_XXX.Zip file to the CD
  10. Eject the CD and Windows will write the contents of the update to the CD
  11. Write the version number and place the CD with the original CD purchased from DFT. If in future you wish to install DFT on another computer you will need to install DFT from the CD and then install the update. For further information please refer to How do install Duty and Flight Times together with the DFT upgrade I received?

How do install Duty and Flight Times together with the DFT upgrade I received?

If you have received a Duty and Flight Times CD and then subsequently received an email upgrade then you must perform the steps detailed in Saving your backup to CD in How do I upgrade Duty and Flight Times on my computer? To install DFT:

  1. Install the original DFT CD you received: How do I install Duty and Flight Times on my computer?
  2. Install the CD upgrade you received via email:
    1. Insert the CD that contains the backup you created as detailed in Saving your backup to CD
    2. Run Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
    3. Expand My Computer. (You may need to select View > Explorer Bar > Folders if the left hand side pane is not shown).
    4. Select the CD drive on the left hand side.
    5. Double click on the DFT_8_UPDATE_XXX.Zip file you downloaded
    6. Double click on the Setup program, the WinZip Self-Extractor will appear
    7. If you have installed DFT to a folder other than the standard folder C:\Program Files\Dft6 then change the Unzip to Folder directory
    8. Select Unzip

The above process must be performed for each computer that will run DFT - even if you are running DFT using a server.

How do I register Duty and Flight Times?

If you have recently received your DFT CD then you will need to enter the registration code that is enclosed with the DFT letter. Specifically:

  1. Start DFT8
  2. Enter the registration code that is enclosed with the DFT letter
  3. Select Register
  4. If DFT is setup to utilise the data located on a server then the registration code does NOT need to be entered for each machine running DFT. It only be needs to be entered once.

You must install DFT within 14 days of ordering, otherwise the registration code will expire. If you do not register the program within this period of time, then please contact Aviation Software for a new registration code. Aviation Software may charge an additional fee for supplying a new registration code.


DFT is asking for a registration code after installing on a new computer - what do I do?

If you have recently received (within 14 days) your DFT CD and installation please refer to How do I register DFT? If you already have DFT successfully installed on another computer, then you will need to setup the new computer to utilise the data on the other machine. Once the new installation has been setup correctly the program will not prompt for the registration code. If the two computers are on the same network then please refer to How do I setup a local computer to use the DFT data located on the server / another computer? for further details. If the new installation is for a laptop computer that will not be on the same network then please follow the steps - How do I transfer my data onto my laptop?


How do I setup a local computer to use the DFT data located on the server / another computer?

Firstly, you will need to setup the server / other computer so that other computers on the network can access the files:

  1. Logon to the server / other machine where DFT is installed or the data is already stored. (DFT does not need to be installed on the server). Login using the Administrator user name and password - you may need help from your IT department.
  2. Run Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
  3. Select My Computer
  4. Select Local Disk C:
  5. Select Program Files
  6. Right click the Dft6 folder (it may also be called Dft8) and select Properties
  7. Select the Sharing tab
  8. Tick Share this folder on the network
  9. Tick Allow network users to change my files
  10. Select OK
  11. Select Start > Control Panel > System
  12. Select the Computer Name tab
  13. Note down the name of the server / other computer next to the Full computer name field

On the computer with the new DFT installation:

  1. If you have not already done so, install DFT8 on the new machine using the installation CD
  2. After installation, navigate to the desktop
  3. Right click the DFT8 shortcut and select Properties
  4. In the Target box (typically containing something like "C:\Program Files\DFT6\dft8.exe" you will need to specify the path to where the DFT8 data is located - in this case the computer name as noted in step 13 above.
  5. The path to the other computer will be of the format \\computer-name-from-step-13\dft6. For example, if the name of the server / other computer was dft8computer then the path would be \\dft8computer\dft6.
  6. Append the full path as determined in the previous step to the Target box. It should be something akin to:
    "C:\Program Files\DFT6\dft8.exe" "\\dft8computer\dft6"
  7. Please note that the data path (\\dft8computer\dft6) MUST be surrounded by double quotes if it contains a space. A path that does not contain a space can optionally be surrounded by double quotes.
  8. Select OK

Double click the DFT8 shortcut to run DFT using the data located on the server / other computer. DFT will now not prompt for a registration code. Repeat steps 1-7 above for any other computers that require installation of DFT.


How do I backup all pilot data onto a CD/USB stick?

To make a complete backup of all of your data files to a CD or USB stick you will require a blank CD or USB stick and DFT version 8.22 or above. Click here to order a DFT upgrade. It is highly recommended that users upgrade to 8.71.04 or above so that the registration code is also automatically backed up. This ensures that when data is restored a registration code will not be required from Aviation Software.

  1. Run DFT8
  2. From the Pilot Summary screen, select File > Archive (also called Archive / Transfer Data)
  3. Select the Automatic Backup tab
  4. Select the Backup All button. This will create a complete backup of your data files - usually in the C:\Program Files\Dft6\PilotBackups folder
  5. In the Automatic Backup Folder text box select/highlight all of the text
  6. In the Automatic Backup Folder text box right-click and select Copy
  7. Start Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
  8. In the Address text box right-click and select Paste and then select Go
  9. This will list all of the backups for the past 3 months.
  10. You will need to find the backup you just created from DFT. The backup files are prefixed with the date the backup was created. For example, a backup created on the 3 Dec 2009 would be called 2009-12-03 DFT Pilot Data.zip. Therefore, you will need to find the backup dated with today's date.
  11. Right click on the xxxx-xx-xx DFT Pilot Data.zip file and select Copy
  12. Insert the blank CD or USB stick into the computer
  13. In Windows Explorer, find the USB stick drive or CD drive located under the My Computer icon. If you cannot see the My Computer icon on the left hand side pane select the Folders icon on the toolbar.
  14. Select the USB Stick drive letter or CD drive letter
  15. Select Edit > Paste from the menu bar at the top of Windows Explorer to copy the xxxx-xx-xx DFT Pilot Data.zip file to CD drive or USB stick
  16. If you have copied to a CD eject the CD and Windows will write the contents of the file to the CD and then eject the CD.
  17. You now have a backup copy of all of your pilot data and settings


How do I restore all pilot data from a CD/USB stick?

To resotre of all of your data files from a CD or USB stick you will require a backup of your data. Click here for further details on creating a CD / USB stick backup.

  1. Close DFT8 on all computers before restoring your data.
  2. Start Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
  3. Find the USB stick drive or CD drive where the backup is located under the My Computer icon. If you cannot see the My Computer icon on the left hand side pane select the Folders icon on the toolbar.
  4. Select the USB Stick drive letter or CD drive letter
  5. The right hand side pane will list the backup files
  6. Right click on the backup file (it should be of the format xxxx-xx-xx DFT Pilot Data.zip - where xxxx-xx-xx is the date of the backup. i.e. 2009-12-03 DFT Pilot Data.zip) and select Explore
  7. A new Windows Explorer window will open
  8. Select Edit > Select All
  9. Select Edit > Copy
  10. Navigate to the location where DFT8 has been installed (typically, it is located in the C:\Program Files\Dft6 folder), specifically:
  11. Start Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
  12. Select My Computer
  13. Select Local Disk C:
  14. Select Program Files
  15. Right click the Dft6 folder (it may also be called Dft8) and select Paste
  16. This will copy the backup files to the DFT8 installation
  17. Run DFT8. DFT may prompt you for a registration code - in which case, please contact Aviation Software.


How do I setup DFT to automatically backup to the server, another computer or a USB stick?

  1. Run DFT8
  2. From the Pilot Summary screen, select File > Archive (also called Archive / Transfer Data)
  3. Select the Automatic Backup tab
  4. Select the ... button next to the Automatic Backup Folder text box
  5. This will allow you to select the folder that the automatic backup is created to.
  6. To automatically backup to a USB stick
    1. Expand My Computer
    2. Select the USB stick drive
    3. Select OK
  7. To automatically backup to a server / other computer
    1. Expand My Network Locations
    2. Expand Microsoft Windows Network
    3. Select the computer name and the folder where backups are to be created
    4. Select OK
  8. Now whenever DFT closes it will backup to the location. An error will be displayed if the USB stick is not inserted or the server / other computer is unavailable.


I have transferred to another company - how do I take my data with me?

You will need a blank CD or USB stick to proceed and will require copying the data onto a portable medium (USB/CD) at your old employer and then restoring the data at your new employer. Specifically, please refer to How do I transfer my data onto another computer using a USB stick? for further information.

 

How do I transfer my data onto another computer using a USB stick?

On the source computer:

  1. Run DFT8
  2. From the Pilot Summary screen, select File > Archive (also called Archive / Transfer Data)
  3. Select the Backup / Copy To tab
  4. Select the ... button next to the Copy To list box
  5. Expand My Computer
  6. Select the USB stick drive
  7. Select OK
  8. Tick the Only copy selected pilots/crew members option
  9. Select the pilots to copy
  10. Select Run

On the destination computer:

  1. Run DFT8
  2. If the registration screen is displayed:
    1. Select Evaluate
    2. Select Cancel to creating a new pilot
    3. Select OK to the evaluation message
  3. From the Pilot Summary screen, select File > Archive (also called Archive / Transfer Data)
  4. Select the Restore / Copy From tab
  5. Select the ... button next to the Copy To list box
  6. Expand My Computer
  7. Select the USB stick drive
  8. Select OK
  9. Tick the Only copy selected pilots/crew members option
  10. Select the pilots to copy
  11. Select Run
  12. This will copy the data files from the USB stick onto another computer.


How do I transfer my data onto another computer via email?

DFT provides an emailing module - that allows you to send your DFT files quickly and easily via email. Simply open the pilot to email. Then select File > Email Times, select the destination email address and Run. At the receiving end the email and the attachment which contains your flight data can be opened and it is automatically imported into the DFT database - again quickly and easily! Alternatively, use the following steps to transfer your data files manually:

On the source computer:

  1. Navigate to the Windows Desktop
  2. Right-click on the desktop and select New > Folder
  3. Rename New Folder to DataToEmail
  4. Run DFT8
  5. From the Pilot Summary screen, select File > Archive (also called Archive / Transfer Data)
  6. Select the Backup / Copy To tab
  7. Select the ... button next to the Copy To list box
  8. Expand Desktop
  9. Select DataToEmail folder (that was created in step 2)
  10. Select OK
  11. Tick the Only copy selected pilots/crew members option
  12. Select the pilots to copy
  13. Select Run
  14. Run your email client (Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, Thunderbird)
  15. Create a new email
  16. Select Insert > File Attachment (or equivalent)
  17. Select Desktop
  18. Open the DataToEmail folder
  19. Select all of the files in the folder and select Attach
  20. Send the email

On the destination computer:

  1. Navigate to the Windows Desktop
  2. Right-click on the desktop and select New > Folder
  3. Rename New Folder to DataToEmail
  4. Open the received email
  5. Select File > Save Attachments
  6. Save the attachments to the DataToEmail folder (under the Desktop)
  7. Run DFT8
  8. From the Pilot Summary screen, select File > Archive (also called Archive / Transfer Data)
  9. Select the Restore / Copy From tab
  10. Select the ... button next to the Copy To list box
  11. Expand Desktop
  12. Select the DataToEmail folder
  13. Select OK
  14. Tick the Only copy selected pilots/crew members option
  15. Select the pilots to copy
  16. Select Run
  17. This will copy the data files from the email that you received onto another computer.

 

How do I transfer my data onto my laptop?

Users are licenced to install DFT on a laptop computer for each licenced pilot. This applies to users of DFT version 8.72 and above. For users of version 8.70.00 to 8.71.04, please contact Aviation Software for a discounted upgrade. For all other users, you must upgrade to the latest version of DFT to be licenced for installing DFT on a laptop computer. Click here to upgrade to the latest version of DFT.

For DFT 8.72+ users:

  1. Install DFT on the laptop computer. Please refer to How do I install Duty and Flight Times on my computer?
  2. Follow the steps How do I transfer my data onto another computer using a USB stick?. When starting DFT you will be prompted with the registration code screen. Click Evaluate, and continue with the steps listed in How do I transfer my data onto another computer using a USB stick?
  3. Once the data has been copied onto your laptop - the registration screen will no longer be displayed, and DFT will run in restricted mode - which means that DFT will only allow 1 pilot to be installed and run on the laptop computer. If additional pilots are installed copied or transferred to the laptop - DFT will not run in restricted mode and you will be prompted for a registration key.

 

My computer has been cleaned of a virus or spyware and now DFT is asking for a registration code - what do I do?

Unfortunately, some programs will remove important data files located in the C:\Program Files\Dft6 or C:\Program Files\Dft8 folders (typical folders where DFT is installed). These files contain flight data, pilot settings and the registration code. So although DFT is prompting for a registration code, it is most likely that your flight data is also missing! Although Aviation Software can provide a registration code - you will still be missing your pilot data. If you have had your computer cleaned by a 3rd party you will need to request that the data files located in the C:\Program Files\Dft6 or C:\Program Files\Dft8 folders (depending on where you installed DFT) be restored. Specifically, the *.dat and *.60? files need to be restored to exactly how there were before the computer was cleaned.


How do change where the DFT package importer imports the files to?

If you are running a version prior to DFT 8.72.05:

  1. Copy the DFTPackageImport program from the DFT installation folder to the location of the data files (for example
    \\server\dftdata)
    1. Start Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
    2. Expand My Computer
    3. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Dft6 (or the location where DFT is installed)
    4. Find and select the DFTPackageImport program
    5. Select Edit > Copy
    6. Navigate to the location where the DFT data is to be imported to (for example, \\server\dftdata)
    7. Select Edit > Paste to copy the DFTPackageImport program to where the data resides (for example, \\server\dftdata)
  2. Change the DFTP file type to run the copied DFTPackageImport program
    1. Start Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
    2. Select Tools > Folder Options
    3. Select File Types
    4. Scroll down to extension DFTP and select the item
    5. Select Change (it should indicate that DFTPackageImport is used to open this type of file)
    6. Select Browse
    7. Navigate to the location where DFTPackageImport.exe resides as per step 1 above. (for example \\server\dftdata\DFTPackageImport.exe)

If you are running version of DFT 8.72.05 or after you can either follow the above steps or you can specify as a second command line argument for the DFTP file type the location where the files should be imported to. This provides a more flexible and simpler solution.

  1. Start Windows Explorer (Select Start > Run > Enter explorer.exe > Select OK)
  2. Select Tools > Folder Options
  3. Select File Types
  4. Scroll down to extension DFTP and select the item
  5. Select Advanced (Click Restore if you cannot see the Advanced option)
  6. Select the Open action
  7. Select Edit
  8. Modify Action used to perform action path to specify the full path to where the data should be imported to. For example, typically the field will be something akin to "C:\Program Files\Dft6\DFTPackageImport.exe" "%1". Then the path should be changed to something like "C:\Program Files\Dft6\DFTPackageImport.exe" "%1" "\\server\dftdata", where \\server\dftdata is the destination location where the data should be copied to.

After making the above changes, to test the program double click on a DFTP email attachment to ensure that the package imports as expected. For further information on emailing data see How do I transfer my data onto another computer via email?


The registration code that I received does not work - what should I do?

The registration code received with your DFT letter will expire usually after 14 days of ordering DFT. Therefore, you need to install DFT within 14 days. Otherwise, please contact Aviation Software for a new registration code. Aviation Software may charge an additional fee for supplying a new registration code.


Why are the dates shown in American format?

DFT / Logbook uses the date format as specified by Windows. To change the date format:

  1. Select Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options
  2. In the Regional Options tab, ensure that English (Australian) is selected, not English (United States)
  3. Restart Duty and Flight Times

I am running Windows 7 and all dates are in the correct format (Australian) except for the work date which is in American format?

This is a known issue with Windows 7. To reset the date / time format:

  1. Select Start > Control Panel > Clock, Language and Region > Change the date, time or number format
  2. Select English (United States)
  3. Select Apply
  4. Select English (Australian)
  5. Select Apply
  6. Restart Duty & Flight Times

I get an error 'Report width is larger than the paper width' when printing a report - what should I do?

This problem indicates that the printer's default paper size is not set to A4. To modify the paper size for the default printer:

  1. Select Start > Printers and Faxes
  2. Select the default printer (the default printer is indicated by a tick next to the printer icon)
  3. Select File > Printing Preferences
  4. Select Advanced
  5. Change the Paper Size to A4
  6. Select OK
  7. Select OK


Can I install and run DFT on a Macintosh computer?

Yes, DFT can be run on a Macintosh computer that is utilising a virtual machine such as VMWare Fusion. VMWare Fusion allows you to run Microsoft Windows based software (such as DFT) on an Intel based Macintosh computer. It retails for approximately $120 AUS. For more information, please click here.


How do I obtain the company name and serial number of my DFT installation?

Aviation Software may request that you provide the company name and serial number that DFT is registered to. To do so:

  1. Run DFT8
  2. Select Help > About Duty and Flight Times
  3. Note the company name and serial number in the bottom-right corner of the screen

 

Why does the Automatic Backup facility report - NOTHING TO DO!

DFT versions prior to 8.71.04 will not backup to a location outside of the C:\Program Files\Dft6 folder. Solutions are:

  1. Upgrade to the latest version of DFT. Click here to order an upgrade.
  2. Setup DFT to backup to the default folder - C:\Program Files\Dft6\PilotBackups
  3. Use a 3rd party backup tool that backs up all of the files in the installation folder (typically C:\Program Files\Dft6) using the following criteria:
    1. *.60?
    2. *.dat

 

When I run DFT I get a runtime error 429 - what is wrong?

This error indicates that an important component has not been install on the machine from which you are running DFT. To resolve the issue you must ensure that DFT is installed on the computer that you are running DFT from. To re-install DFT please follow the steps detailed in How do I install Duty and Flight Times on my computer?

Please note that even if you are attempting to run DFT from a server - you will still need to install DFT on each computer locally. After installing DFT locally (and verifying that it runs correctly) you will then need to apply the steps detailed in How do I setup a local computer to use the DFT data located on the server / another computer?

 

How do I setup DFT to always open a particular pilot?

In order to setup to always open a particular pilot file, and bypass the Pilot Summary screen:

  1. If you have not already done so, install DFT8 on the machine using the installation CD
  2. After installation, navigate to the desktop
  3. Right click the DFT8 shortcut and select Copy
  4. Right click on the desktop and select Paste
  5. Right click the copied DFT8 shortcut and select Properties
  6. In the Target box (typically containing something like "C:\Program Files\DFT6\dft8.exe" you will need to specify the full path to where the pilot's data is located.
  7. The format of path to the other computer will be of the format C:\Program Files\Dft6\PilotName. For example, if the pilot name was John Smith and the file is located in C:\Program Files\Dft6 then the path would be "C:\Program Files\Dft6\John Smith" (including quotes)
  8. Append the full path as determined in the previous step to the Target box. It should be something akin to:
    "C:\Program Files\DFT6\dft8.exe" "C:\Program Files\Dft6\John Smith"
  9. Select OK
  10. Double click the shortcut to open the pilot directly in DFT8

 

How does the DFT licencing work?

The DFT licencing structure is dependant upon which version of DFT use you running. Specifically:

 

I have followed the FAQ suggestions and am still having difficulties - do you offer technical support?

Yes, we do offer technical support for installation and configuration of DFT and any other difficulties you may experience. Please refer to our technical support page for further information on charges.