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Logbooks Arent The Whole Story

Not all airframe modifications airframes are officially approved or noted in the logbooks. Shocking as it may sound, many aircraft owners are tinkerers, shade-tree mechanics or aircraft builders. Some have even been known to make unapproved changes and mods without disclosing them to their own mechanics or the FAA.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Many aircraft, particularly older ones, may have unapproved or undocumented modifications made by owners, which might not be reflected in logbooks.
  • Pilots flying modified aircraft must maintain a healthy skepticism about the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and question how modifications affect performance.
  • It is the pilot's responsibility to actively identify modifications, verify their documentation in logbooks, and ensure all relevant placards and POH supplements are present.
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Not all airframe modifications airframes are officially approved or noted in the logbooks. Shocking as it may sound, many aircraft owners are tinkerers, shade-tree mechanics or aircraft builders. Some have even been known to make unapproved changes and mods without disclosing them to their own mechanics or the FAA.

When I purchased my 180, there was a lovely machined iPad bracket mounted to an overhead hard point where the windshield and airframe attach (an attachment point appropriate for a visor.) The eight-inch aluminum bracket was obviously custom-machined and not off the shelf. I liked it well enough until the day I realized its extremely sharp corners were a guaranteed cranium opener. I removed it. Since there was no paperwork documenting its installation, no additional paperwork was necessary.

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