europa-list
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Builders log - accepted practices?

Subject: Re: Builders log - accepted practices?
From: Fred Fillinger <fillinger@ameritech.net>
Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2002 13:12:33
There are two other aspects to a construciton log worth considering.  
If an incomplete project were to be sold, then when the FAA inspects
the buyer's airplane, they will be very interested in evidence that
the person(s) doing the previous work qualify also as amateur" vs.
hired help.  The more log detail implying such the better, plus
further affecting resale value of the project if it implies quality
workmanship. 

Also for liability reasons, the builder's log should not be given to
the buyer on sale of a completed/signed-off aircraft but should be
destroyed.  In my case, there is a growing, separate chapter called
"Testing," which will be retained.  However, for maintenance purposes,
the Europa manual is a good document to go with the airplane upon
sale.  Where one makes notes in it beyond dates and check marks,
however, it is best done on a copy for eventual discard.

Suits against builders here are so far rare, in part because
"forensically" analyzing a wreck using experts is very expensive. 
What you don't want then in the hands of a plaintiff is the cheap path
to a lawsuit with things you wrote down anywhere to be taken out of
context in stitching together a negligence argument!  Ditto for
brevity in maintenance logs, which should go with the aircraft, and
retain copies for yourself.

Best,
Fred F.


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>