Maintenance Inspections
Each aircraft has an Airframe Logbook and an Engine Logbook. Fixed-pitch propeller aircraft do not have a Propeller Logbook because the propeller is considered part of the airframe. FAR §43.11 states that the person approving or disapproving for return to service an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part after any inspection performed shall make an entry in the maintenance record of that equipment. The following identifies where logbook entries for required inspections can be located:
Memory Aid: AVIATE + AD's
Annual - (within the preceding 12 calendar months).
Reference to annual inspections is located in the Airframe Logbook because of the scope and detail of items included in the Annual inspection (see FAR 91.409 and Appendix D to Part 43). You can identify the annual inspection by the last line in the log entry stating, "…this aircraft has been inspected in accordance with an annual inspection…" An annual inspection can be performed in place of a 100-hour inspection; but not vice versa.
VOR check - (within the preceding 30 days for IFR flight).
VOR checks are not logged in the maintenance records, but must be located in the aircraft itself.
100 hour - (within the preceding 100 hrs if for hire only) NOTE: Not required for a checkride.
100-hour inspections are located in the Airframe Logbook and Engine Logbook because of the scope and detail of items included in the 100-hour inspection (see FAR 91.409 and Appendix D to Part 43)
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Altimeter & Pitot-Static check - (within the preceding 24 calendar months for IFR flight).
The Altimeter and Pitot-Static checks are located in Airframe Logbook (see FAR 91.411 and Appendix E (d) to Part 43).
Transponder - (within the preceding 24 calendar months).
Transponder checks are located in the Airframe Logbook (see FAR 91.413 and Appendix F to Part 43).
ELT - (within the preceding 12 calendar months or expiration date).
ELT checks are located in the Airframe Logbook (see FAR 91.207(c)(2)). The expiration date on the battery will also be noted in the Airframe Logbook.
Airworthiness Directives (AD's)
Compliance with AD's are located in the Airframe Logbook and Engine Logbook depending on the scope and detail of the AD. For example, with an AD to inspect the seat locking mechanism, the records of that inspection will be located in the Airframe Logbook. Compliance with ADs may also be located in an Airworthiness Directive Compliance Report. This Compliance Report serves as a reference tool to identify every applicable and non-applicable AD for the aircraft model. Reviewing this report allows you to determine which ADs apply to your aircraft, the method of compliance, whether the AD is recurring, and the next due date for inspection and research dates.