Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

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Aero-Tips 04.12.06

FAR 91.417 says in the US it’s the responsibility of the airplane owner or operator to maintain aircraft maintenance records. FAR 43.9 and 43.11, however, state an authorized mechanic must make the required logbook entries. How do these statements jibe?

Owner/Operator

Aircraft owners or operators (example: companies flying leased airplanes; flight schools managing airplanes owned by others or employing airplanes under a leaseback; individuals flying airplanes held in corporate names) have the most direct, day-to-day control over their maintenance state. Further, pilots flying these airplanes are required to be able to determine the airplane is airworthy (FAR 91.7), so it’s reasonable that the owner/operator, not mechanics, have possession of the maintenance records.

Maintainers

With exception of owner-approved maintenance items, airplane owner/operators can’t perform the maintenance or repairs that are noted in the logs.

(Note: persons without mechanic certification can perform work if all work is directly supervised by a certificated mechanic, and that mechanic must still make log entries).

So it’s entirely appropriate that owner/operators should maintain aircraft logbooks, but mechanics must make most logbook entries.

What about renters?

If you rent an airplane you still hold pilot-in-command responsibility to ensure the airplane is airworthy. This entitles (nay, requires) renters to have access to aircraft logbooks... another reason for them to be available through the owner/operator.

Aero-tip of the day: Recognize that airworthiness is a team effort between owner/operators, mechanics, and pilots.

FMI: Aero-Tips