The proper way to make log book entries

[MConner]

I am a little confused as to what work I can do or sign off on my RV. I was not the builder so I have no repairman certificate. So if part 43 doesn?t apply to my plane, am I authorized to return it to service under part 91? I just replaced the ELT with a 406mhz. So do I need to hire a A&P to sign the logbook?

Mark

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by MConner

I am a little confused as to what work I can do or sign off on my RV. I was not the builder so I have no repairman certificate. So if part 43 doesn’t apply to my plane, am I authorized to return it to service under part 91? I just replaced the ELT with a 406mhz. So do I need to hire a A&P to sign the logbook?

Mark

Mark, you (or anyone) may legally do any maintenance/additions/repairs on your RV that you wish and make logbook entries. The only time you need an A&P is for your condition inspection and he will make the logbook entry stating the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. You will also need an FAA repair station for periodic transponder and pitot-static inspections.

You do not need an A&P to return your aircraft to service after installing an ELT, just make a logbook entry, sign your name with your pilot certificate # and go fly.

[rvbuilder2002]

Originally Posted by MConner

I am a little confused as to what work I can do or sign off on my RV. I was not the builder so I have no repairman certificate. So if part 43 doesn?t apply to my plane, am I authorized to return it to service under part 91? I just replaced the ELT with a 406mhz. So do I need to hire a A&P to sign the logbook?

Mark

You correctly understand that FAR 43 doesn't apply to Experiemental aircraft, it because of that, your operating limitations (part of your aircraft documents) are used to reapply certain requirements ( or limitations) that must be met while operating your aircraft. It includes the requirement for the condition inspection and gives guidance on how the log entry should be made.

It is actually the only maint. record entry that is officially required, it for future resale value and your own personal record keeping it is a good idea to record everything you do.

[Tim Lewis]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

...the condition inspection... is actually the only maint. record entry that is officially required...

That appears to be not quite correct. The requirement to record and keep records of maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations is levied by FAR 91.417. 91.417 also levies a requirement for the required description, signature, and date, as well as some other records.

I haven’t found anything in the regs that exempts experimental owners from the requirements of 91.417.

[Tim Lewis]

91.417 Maintenance records.
(a) Except for work performed in accordance with ?? 91.411 and 91.413, each registered owner or operator shall keep the following records for the periods specified in paragraph (b) of this section:

(1) Records of the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alteration and records of the 100-hour, annual, progressive, and other required or approved inspections, as appropriate, for each aircraft (including the airframe) and each engine, propeller, rotor, and appliance of an aircraft. The records must include -
(i) A description (or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator) of the work performed; and
(ii) The date of completion of the work performed; and
(iii) The signature, and certificate number of the person approving the aircraft for return to service.

(2) Records containing the following information:
(i) The total time in service of the airframe, each engine, each propeller, and each rotor.
<snip>
(iv) The current inspection status of the aircraft, including the time since the last inspection required by the inspection program under which the aircraft and its appliances are maintained.

(v) The current status of applicable airworthiness directives (AD) and safety directives including, for each, the method of compliance, the AD or safety directive number and revision date. If the AD or safety directive involves recurring action, the time and date when the next action is required.

<snip>
(b) The owner or operator shall retain the following records for the periods prescribed:
(1) The records specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be retained until the work is repeated or superseded by other work or for 1 year after the work is performed.

(2) The records specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall be retained and transferred with the aircraft at the time the aircraft is sold.

[David Paule]

To answer the OP, I have a certified airplane and have the appropriate rating to maintain it. I open a new entry with the date and the aircraft or engine time. Then in the text section, I'll give a brief description of the work done and note any reference I used. That might be a service manual, excerpt of an overhaul manual, AC43.13 or some other source - or if it's more of a routine nature, I just won't mention that aspect of it.

If there's a reason to tell why the work was necessary, I will. Otherwise I won't. In some unusual cases, the reason is to repair previously poor work, and I'll include that. An example of that was a certain avionic that had been installed and signed off previously, but had never worked. Hard to imagine but it happened. That's the sort of thing that I think justifies this particular entry. I don't do that routinely.

The work that I'm describing is usually a single paragraph of two to four sentences. It's not a detailed river by rivet description, merely enough of a summary to explain what I did.

In a few cases, I'll test fly the plane afterwards. That always gets mentioned: "test flight okay." is sufficient to cover that. Any control system work will get a test flight, for example; servicing the brake fluid won't.

Finally, I'll sign it and add my rating type and number.

When my RV-3B is flying, I intend to follow the same protocol.

Dave
RV-3B, skinning fuselage