Page 18 - Volume 12 Number 2

If you’ve been going to the same shop for a decade, you should still bring your books. It never fails: If you leave your logbooks at home, the shop will run across something that needs logbook research. So, bring your logs to maintenance.
An example of what an entry in an engine log showing all the information that should be included in any
entry, including airframe information (registration, serial number, in addition to ACTT).
If you subscribe to a maintenance tracking service, they can send their
report to the new shop. Just be aware of the pitfalls. These reports are long, complicated and contain errors. The data entry clerk who loads your logbook information into their system often has no clue what they’re looking at. Mistakes can run rampant. After 45 years in this business, I found nothing replaces having my own eyes on the logbooks. Bring your books!
Parting Shots
Check all log entries for Aircraft Total Time. If it’s missing, make the shop put it in. When a shop hands you a log entry in paragraph form, IN A FONT ABOUT THIS BIG, can you get them to reorganize it as a numbered list? Probably not. But ACTT is an FAR requirement. Stand firm.
You should also get a debrief after maintenance. Each time I returned a King Air to service after a Phase or major maintenance, I did a thorough debrief with the pilot or owner/ operator. I went through the entire work order, squawk by squawk, discussing every item, with the log entries on the table for reference. I wanted my customer to review their log entries before they go in the book and out of sight.
When it finally comes time to sell your King Air, brokers and prospective buyers will be crawling all over your logbooks. Hopefully they will stand up to the scrutiny. In the meantime, however, enjoy the heck out of your King Air! KA
Dean Benedict is a certified A&P, AI with over 40 years’ experience in King Air maintenance. He’s the founder and former owner
of Honest Air Inc., a “King Air maintenance boutique” (with some Dukes and Barons on the side).
In his new venture, BeechMedic LLC, Dean consults with King Air owners and operators on all things King Air related: maintenance, troubleshooting, pre-buys, etc.
He can be reached at dr.dean@ beechmedic.com or (702) 773-1800.
16 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 2018