The PIC, whether an owner, paid pilot or a renter, is
expected to check and be sure EVERYTHING is done and
properly signed off. That includes ADs, annual,
transponder, ELT, a current and up-to-date POH/AFM.

The easiest method is to call the FAA and ask for a ramp
check by the FAA maintenance inspectors. Or have the
owner's shop AI sit down with you and go over the
maintenance records.

You can now go on-line with the aircraft make, model and
serial number and a list of installed equipment and do an AD
search on the airframe, engine, prop and accessories.


The FAA will hold the PIC accountable, but a pilot/renter,
whether an ATP or a student will have to rely to some extent
on the honesty and ethics of the shop and aircraft owner. A
logbook entry doesn't always mean the work was really done.
Some owners don't follow up on required repairs and people
are just plain and simple crooks/ con artists. Others are
just not competent.

Any company or person who will not show you the logbooks and
other records should be avoided.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

"Jim Logajan" wrote in message
.. .
| "Jay Beckman" wrote:
| Ask to see the maintenance logs for the aircraft in
question.
|
| While looking them over, check that the aircraft's last
annual was within
| the last 12 months and is otherwise legally airworthy. The
FAA once
| suspended a renter's certificate for 30 days because the
renter flew a
| plane that was 12 days past the expiration date of its
last annual. The
| following post from 2004 gives a few more details:
|
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...cc34cd81b11723