[net.aviation] lost log books

Evans%TARTAN@CMU-CS-C.ARPA (06/29/84)

From:  Art Evans <Evans%TARTAN@CMU-CS-C.ARPA>

As someone has mentioned, a weight and balance report is required; I know from
experience that losing one is a pain.  Fortunately the club remembered what
mechanic had made the last change, and fortunately he had a copy of the
relevant FAA form he had filled in; we used that.  Otherwise, it would be
necessary to have the plane weighed, which is an expensive bother.

As for a mechanic's doing work without the log book: He can describe the work
on any piece of paper (like, for example, the invoice) and sign it.  Then you
can staple that into the log book when you get home.  I concur, though, that
it's better to have them along.

Pilot log: Each time I fill in a page I xerox it, thereby minimizing the
maximum cost of a loss.  The log may not be needed, but you do need some way to
show that you have a current BFR.

Were I a plane owner, I think I would follow the same copying discipline on the
engine and airframe logs, and other documents.

Art Evans
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