Okay this is a newbie questions but I figured you guys are the best to ask. I'm starting my logs over from scratch on this experimental. I found the original builder and I know the complete history of the aircraft it's just not documented because the original logs were lost. Does anybody know of any online guide anywhere that shows how to make appropriate log book entries or what AC covers that? I want to put everything that I know about the aircraft into a log book so that I have something to show the FAA man besides my annual being signed off. Rather than just writing a story I'd like to do it properly. I figure with those guys the more writing and paperwork you can show them the better my experience will be with them when it comes time to apply for my new airworthiness certificate and operating limitations.

Here is a link to a nice article on lost maintenance log books.

http://www.avweb.com/news/insure/190734-1.html

One place that may help you is the insurance company. If a plane is damaged, frequently the insurance company asks for a copy of the log book entries that document the repair. Perhaps if you can find out who the plane was insured with when it was damaged, then maybe you can ask them for a copy of those records.

Another good spot is the AOPA. They offer a inexpensive service you can use to get records on aircraft you are thinking about buying. I have found a great deal of that information may include needed log book info.

You will really miss those logs when selling the plane. A knowledgable buyer will want to decrease the value of the plane 20 to 50% because of missing logs. Good luck replacing them!

Why do you need to get the faa involved and apply for a new airworthiness certificate? The original airworthiness certificate should remain valid as long as you have it and the data plate and are not trying to reregister the craft and become the manufacturer/ builder of record.

The aircraft's original airworthiness cert had an expiration date on it. Weird stuff.

svanarts wrote:The aircraft's original airworthiness cert had an expiration date on it. Weird stuff.

Apperantly back in the early 90's when it came to experimentals they would issue a special airworthiness certificate that was good for 6 months which allowed for the Phase I flight testing to take place. At the completion of the 40 hour test period a permanent certficate would be issued. The original builder flew the airplane 110 hours but did not realize more action was necessary to be put into Phase II so it was NOT issued the permanent certificate. They do not do this anymore. Once a certificate is issued it's good forever.

I basically have to start from zero as if I just rolled this thing new out of my garage and reapply for all the paperwork. It's not that big of a deal just a tedious process that must be perfect to make the feds happy.

Skystrider wrote:Here is a link to a nice article on lost maintenance log books.

http://www.avweb.com/news/insure/190734-1.html

One place that may help you is the insurance company. If a plane is damaged, frequently the insurance company asks for a copy of the log book entries that document the repair. Perhaps if you can find out who the plane was insured with when it was damaged, then maybe you can ask them for a copy of those records.

Another good spot is the AOPA. They offer a inexpensive service you can use to get records on aircraft you are thinking about buying. I have found a great deal of that information may include needed log book info.

You will really miss those logs when selling the plane. A knowledgable buyer will want to decrease the value of the plane 20 to 50% because of missing logs. Good luck replacing them!

Thanks for the good info skystrider. Selling the airplane and all the things mentioned in that article are not really a concern for me. This is a $10,000 experimental homebuilt were dealing with not a $120K 185 or something. It's never been insured and my Dad and I did the repairs after it was dinged up. I just want to reconstruct the logs to satisfy the FAA man. Like I said I know the entire history of the airplane from start to finish I just want to document it properly. I bought a fancy hard cover log book I just don't really know what to put in it.

You're probably looking at Phase I flyoff all over again. I would just put a notation in the logbook that the original logbooks were lost, document what you have done to make it airworthy, submit it and hope for the best. Your A&P will have to sign everything off since you are not the original builder.