Aircraft maintenance inspections, Airworthiness and Log Books

As part of the pre-checkride activities, the DPE must make sure the aircraft is legally airworthy for the practical test.  I've had a few problems lately that could have been solved before showing up for the checkride.

1.  Not bringing the aircraft logbooks.  The only way the DPE can determine if the aircraft is airworthy is to review the aircraft logbooks.  No logs, no review, no checkride.  The FAA will not us accept anything else other than the actual aircraft logs. 

2. Missing log enteries.  The mechanic did the work but did not make the log entery.  Sorry, that's another no go item.  The FAA doesn't consider the work complete until the log book entery is made and signed.  So if the mechanic did the 100 hour but didn't log it, the 100 hour didn't happen. 

3.  In correct log enteries.  I recently had a Cessna 172 show up with a fresh annual inspection but all the AD that where listed in the entery applied to a Cessna 150.  How does that happen?

4. Overflown AD's.  While this tends to happen to privately own aircraft, I have seen it at several flight school.  Basically, the aircraft has been flown so much that they end up overflying the time period in an AD.  A good AD list well help keep track of those things.

So before you show up at your check ride, review the aircraft log books for completeness, accuracy and, most of all, Aircraft Airworthiness.  And finally, remember to bring the logbooks with you.