Aircraft Logbooks: Why They Matter More Than You Think

Whether you're buying, selling, or just maintaining a general aviation aircraft, logbooks are one of the most critical — and most overlooked — pieces of the puzzle. These detailed records document everything from annuals and overhauls to engine swaps and avionics upgrades. At Flaps15, we believe transparency drives trust, which is why we scan and digitize every logbook for every aircraft we sell.

What Exactly Are Aircraft Logbooks?

Aircraft logbooks are official records that track the maintenance, repair, and operational history of an airplane. These include:

• Airframe logbooks
• Engine logbooks (often one per engine)
• Propeller logs
• Avionics records
• Documents for major repairs, STCs, and alterations

These records aren’t just paperwork — they’re legally required and often scrutinized during pre-purchase inspections, annuals, and audits. A well-documented aircraft speaks volumes about how it's been flown and cared for.

Why Incomplete Logs Kill Value

Missing logbooks are a huge red flag for buyers, insurance underwriters, and mechanics. Even a single missing year of records can lower an aircraft's value by thousands. Worse, it could prevent the aircraft from being legally flown if AD (Airworthiness Directive) compliance can't be verified.

• Depreciation: Aircraft with missing or damaged logs can lose 15–30% of market value.
• Loan rejections: Financing companies may deny loans on planes with incomplete history.
• Insurance complications: Many underwriters require full log history to offer coverage.
• Legal risk: FAA regulations mandate proper recordkeeping — failure to comply is a liability.

What Should You Look for in the Logs?

If you're in the market for a plane, don’t just glance at the engine hours. Look deeper:

• Check for consistent entries with no long gaps
• Look for A&P and IA sign-offs
• Ensure ADs and service bulletins are documented
• Review any STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) modifications
• Confirm engine overhaul intervals and who performed them

How Flaps15 Makes It Easy

We know buyers and mechanics want full transparency. That’s why at Flaps15, we professionally scan and upload every available logbook for every aircraft we list. You’ll get:

• Secure access to complete logs online
• Downloadable PDFs organized by engine, airframe, and year
• Easy sharing with your mechanic or lender

Whether you're buying across the country or halfway across the world, you’ll be able to inspect every oil change, annual inspection, and engine teardown before making an offer.

Selling? We’ll Digitize Your Logs for You

If you're listing your aircraft with us, we’ll scan all your physical logbooks — either at our home airport (KCOI – Merritt Island) or remotely if needed. We handle everything and include high-resolution digital logs in your listing to boost buyer confidence.

The Bottom Line

Aircraft logbooks aren’t just a technicality — they’re your plane’s resume. A clean, well-documented history is one of the best ways to protect your investment and simplify resale down the road. And with Flaps15’s digital approach, you don’t need to dig through binders or fly across the country to know what you're buying.