If the last 5 annuals were done and the logs state that all AD's were coplied
with,
why would the next IA have to spent more time. Just make sure that new AD's
are
complied with.

The first annual I ever did to a Commanche is a good example of what can happen
from trusting the previous IA too much. Since I had never done a Commanche I
wanted to get as familiar as I could by reading every AD against the aircraft
and then inspecting them on the aircraft to see what had been involved. I
found no less than three ADs that had been completely pencil whipped years
before. At least one of them was a recurring AD illegally signed off as not
needing future compliance.

Personally I never trust an "All ADs complied with" entry. To be precise you
are legally signing that you complied with every AD regardless of previous
compliance. The local FSDO's really hate to see that type of sign off. Better
to write "All ADs checked for compliance" through the particular bi weekly
issue current at the time of sign off. I also write up each individual AD
compliance that I do in the logbook as well as keep a listing of AD compliance.
That way I am covered. Because ADs are published in the Federal Register they
have the legal strength of Federal law, I want to be sure I have done it right.

John Dupre'