Definition
In post-flight context, items noted by the pilot where the airplane's condition, performance, or equipment did not match the expected normal state during the flight just completed. Discrepancies are recorded so they can be inspected, repaired, or signed off by maintenance before the airplane is flown again.
Plain English
Anything about the airplane that wasn't quite right during the flight, written down so it can be looked at and fixed.
Context Anchor
Seen during post-flight inspections, aircraft logbook entries, and conversations with maintenance after a pilot notices something unusual about the airplane.
Derivation
From Latin discrepare, meaning 'to sound differently' or 'disagree.' In aviation, a discrepancy is something that disagrees with the expected normal condition of the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must report discrepancies to ensure the aircraft remains safe for future flights and to meet regulatory requirements.
Intuition Check
Do not think of discrepancies as only small paperwork differences. In aviation, a discrepancy can be any real problem or abnormal condition with the airplane that needs to be passed along and handled.
Example Sentence 1
After shutdown, the pilot wrote two discrepancies in the logbook: a weak left brake and an intermittent landing light.
Example Sentence 2
All discrepancies must be logged before the aircraft can be released for the next flight.