Definition
An official record kept for an aircraft (and separately for its engine and propeller) documenting all inspections, repairs, alterations, airworthiness directives complied with, and other maintenance actions performed, along with the date, aircraft total time, and the signature and certificate number of the person returning the aircraft to service.
Plain English
A required written history of every inspection and repair done on the aircraft, signed by the mechanic who did the work. The pilot reviews it before flight to confirm the aircraft is legal and safe to fly.
Context Anchor
A pilot may review the maintenance logbook during preflight assessment to confirm the airplane is legal and in condition for safe flight.
Derivation
From 'log' (originally a wooden float used to measure a ship's speed, recorded in a 'log book') and 'maintenance' (from the Latin 'manu tenere,' to hold in the hand, meaning to keep something in working order). Together: the held record of how the aircraft has been kept airworthy.
Why Pilots Care
Verifies the aircraft is legally airworthy and helps spot any overdue items before flight.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a maintenance logbook as just a mechanic’s personal notebook. In this context, it is an official aircraft record used to show what work was done and whether the aircraft can be flown.
Example Sentence 1
Before her checkride, she reviewed the maintenance logbook to confirm the annual inspection and transponder check were both current.
Example Sentence 2
After the repair, the mechanic updated the maintenance logbook with the details.