I recently had to discontinue a check ride for this very reason, the DPE was unable to verify compliance with some recurring AD’s. Basically me trying to sort through the log books burned up all my time. Huge lesson learned for me; don’t just skim the logbooks and find the most recent inspections. Take the time to make sure the AD’s are up to date.

Great info. Many CFI\DPE don’t know or won’t give out this info. Awesome content that actually builds the knowledge base…

Great information, you made it simple and easy to understand, I currently work for a company that does aircraft records and I want to learn as much as I can. Thank you for making this video!

I would love a study guide to follow along with you guys

For the spar AD look at your two outboard spar cap bolts and nuts, there are five pairs each side. If its an old flight school plane, and those bolts and nuts look original, the AD has not been complied with. Ask me how I know!

Great information. As a student pilot, I’m still a bit confused as to how much of this should I be aware of for my practical exam? I’ve had more than 8 instructors, and not one has covered any of this except for looking for a completion signature in the logbooks.

Almost every engine AD has a preceeding Mandatory Service bulletin from the manufacturer. Then don't forget the Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins!

Hey Seth! Thanks for the very informative video. Quick question... Where is the regulation or statement that says that if an annual is completed, AD's have been complied with through that inspection. I can't find it in Part 43 Appendix D??

I thought it was just me wondering how on earth one keeps track of all the ADs ever required on a particular aircraft! This was helpful. So the DPE won’t be asking for a detailed list of how I’m certain the aircraft is actually airworthy by requesting me to provide a list of all the ADs? That’s a relief! 😅

If you think about it, if you rent, how can you ever go flying if they don't have a good and accurate AD compliance list? It's the owner/operator however the PIC get's to carry the load at the end of the day with 91.103

Seth thanks for the video. Is there an official (from FAA or something like that) way to specifically find recurring AD’s? Or do I just need to look at them all for my engine, airframe, and propeller and read what the required action says?

A couple of minor points: If the statement is made "This aircraft has been inspected in accordance with an annual inspection and found to be in airworthy condition" it expressly means that it was inspected using the Part 43 appendix D checklist because that is the only place in the FAR where "annual inspection" is defined, there aren't any others. It is not necessary to repeat what that checklist is comprised of in the logbook. So you don't need to state that you did a compression test or checked the AD's, you've already said that. Now, you can certainly use the manufacturer's checklist or manual as reference but be careful if you log it that way because in some cases such as the Cessna SIDS manual the very first statement is - ensure that every manufacturer's service bulletin and letter has been complied with and for Part 91 ops you are going to be hard pressed to find an aircraft that has complied with every single service instruction issued since it's manufacture. When I started as an A&P we had no AD toolbox and no internet, we didn't even have cellphones. There were two choices - either binders or microfiche and they had to be physically updated every month. The AD's themselves were rarely longer than a couple of paragraphs, nowadays you'll be lucky to find one under 20 pages. So don't get me wrong but I'm all for terse, to the point logbook entries. One of the hardest aspects of the job is reading through a few decades worth of over-wordy handwritten entries just to find the simple statement that an AD was complied with. Every annual I do comes with a single sheet of paper. On the front is a datasheet listing airframe, engine, propeller and every component with as many part numbers, serial numbers, installation dates and time in service that I can come up with. Rarely do all the blanks get filled in but it's a start. On the back is a list off all AD's with status, date of compliance and next due. That is a spreadsheet and the data comes right from the FAA site because if you look at the top after your search there is an option to download a comma delimited file that imports directly into Excel. In fact the AD numbers are even imported as links - click on it and it opens the AD pdf file. So when you see one of my short two line entries, don't jump to conclusions. old man rant off d;-)

Once you have a good complete list of AD"s there is no need to relist and check the ones that have been PCW unless there recurring. You check the DRS Biweekly listings for any new ones since the last annual. Paying for the expensive AD tool box cost the airplane owner on the annual when your say PCW ever year that's not you checking that there actual done unless you actual inspect the plane after researching the AD. I suggest airplane owners go with the Adlog system so the shop doesn't gouge you for AD research ever annual.

It is a lot of work if your plane does not have a comprehensive AD compliance list PROPERLY created from deep research. Ask me how I know! LOL

Carbs, Magnetos and avionics can also cause you to have to dig deeper.

STC requires 337

Coflyt App is fairly cheap and a decent way to track your AD compliance especially recurring ADs. @coflyt