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.
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as
representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have
heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we
might never have considered before, or something that didn't
"stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for
the practical test.
It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers
become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our
ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those
strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow
them to soar magnificently through it.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are
always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips.
Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this
together.
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.