November-December 2022 - 38

F O R T H E R EC O R D
What's Important To Have
in an Aircraft Logbook?
Aircraft logbooks are one of the most misunderstood aspects of business
aircraft operation. Looking through federal aviation regulations to determine
what to put into an aircraft logbook does not help much. For the professional
aviation maintenance technician, what a proper and well documented logbook
should look like are often both a mystery and the source of hours of frustration
and wasted time trying to find important information in the aircraft's record.
What's in, or not in, an aircraft's record will have major consequences
when it comes time to having work accomplished on the
aircraft or to comply with an inspection and/or a Return to Service.
Title 14 CFR was written in such precise detail it's hard to understand,
from a " big picture " viewpoint, what an aircraft logbook
should look like. This is unfortunate
because an aircraft's logbook is one of
the most important assets an aircraft
possesses. The logbook gives us a history
of the aircraft and proof that the
aircraft is airworthy.
What exactly needs to be in a logbook
to prove the aircraft's airworthiness?
Aircraft records can be simple; only
By Larry Hinebaugh
Larry Hinebaugh
is the executive
director of the nonprofit
company
The Foundation for
Business Aircraft
Records Excellence. He
is a 40-year veteran of
the business aviation
industry.
containing the minimum amount of
documentation to prove the aircraft's
airworthiness; or complex, having every
bit of information that could one day be
utilized by maintenance or operations
to keep the aircraft flying. No matter what style the logbook is, the
objective should be to have it organized so someone/anyone can
find the information necessary to prove the aircraft's airworthiness.
According to Title 14 CFR parts 91.411, 413 and 417 all aircraft
records must contain:
1. A record of the maintenance, modifications and alterations
accomplished to the aircraft.
2. Total time and landings/cycles on the aircraft and engines.
3. Status of life limited and calendar overall components installed.
4. The aircraft's current inspection status.
5. A comprehensive list of Form 337s applicable to the aircraft.
6. A list of ADs accomplished on the aircraft over its lifetime.
7. Status of FAR Part 91.411 and 91.413 altimeter and transponder
checks.
This is a quick overview. To prove each item is in compliance,
a deeper dive into the aircraft's records is required. It's important
to understand each aircraft model's unique requirements and the
critical areas that must be addressed with respect to each item.
As an aircraft maintenance professional, it's your job to understand
what is required to be included in an aircraft logbook, and
how this information can be properly organized. Knowing this
information should come with the territory. It's that simple.
AviationPros.com/12091501
38 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
http://www.usaborescopes.com http://www.AviationPros.com/12091501
November-December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November-December 2022
