On Thursday, July 11, 2013 9:42:42 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Any comments wrt purchasing a glider without a complete logbook? Missing from TTSN "0"?



Looking opinions/comments/etc?



r/Jim

The fact that you're asking gives you part of your answer. It immediately raises eyebrows and certainly has an impact on the sale price. I'm a part owner of a glider that required some detective work to rebuild its history, and I can tell you it was a little nerve wracking (we only found out about the gap after the purchase - long story).

As mentioned above, you may be able to retrace some of the history from the FAA records. Also, check the NTSB database on any known N-Numbers assigned to the ship; you may find out info there (hopefully not). Finally, if you can find out about any prior owners, try calling them. I've done this on several sales, and I always found out interesting things (like a seller who listed an LS4 as "refinished" when in fact the "refinish" was just a quick touch up on the top half of the fuselage by the prior owner).

I know some of the repair shops that participate on this board from time to time will have some good advice on re-establishing the history/total time.