Logbook access when plane shopping

[Trippster]

Originally Posted by mshac

I've noted two extremes lately while helping a friend shop for a plane. Sellers either make it easy to review the logs, or they make it hard.

The first group have their logs scanned into a PDF file, which they have uploaded to a cloud server, which allows them to simply text or email a link to anyone they want to give access. Some even have the link and/or PDFs files themselves listed in the ad so anyone can review the logs without even contacting the seller.

The second group act as if its a big hassle to scan the logs so they haven't done it. They want you to wait until you inspect the plane in person to see the logs. Its like pulling teeth to get them to even send over pics of the last few year's entries.

I'm not actively brokering aircraft at the moment, but when I did I always had the logs ready to go in electronic format. I figured the more folks who read the logs the sooner it would sell.

Any seller (or broker) who creates impediments and obstacles to me reviewing an aircraft's entire logs will be unlikely to sell me an airplane because it creates suspicion in my mind.

My 2 cents. If you are a member of the second group and like to keep your logs close to chest when trying sell your plane, I'd like to understand why.

Because I'm technologically challenged and I don't really understand what exactly I need to scan. I have every document from when it was new in 1975, logs, sales receipts etc. I'm happy to take a picture and send copies of what you want to see specifically before coming all the way, but I don't have the time or scanner to easily scan it all.

[edasmus]

I would agree. I would put myself in category "3." I do not have anything scanned but if I were to ever sell my plane, I would gladly provide any and all documents that I have which would be everything since new or in the case of the engines, everything since factory remanufacture.