Permanent records are those maintenance records that must be kept and maintained for the aircraft indefinitely. They reflect the current status of the aircraft.

In 2026, aircraft maintenance records are categorized by their retention periods under regulations like 14 CFR 91.417. Permanent records (those kept indefinitely and transferred with the aircraft) include the total time in service for the airframe, engines, and propellers. They also document the current status of life-limited parts, the time since the last overhaul of items requiring it, and the current inspection status of the aircraft. Additionally, all "Major Alterations" or "Major Repairs" performed under an FAA Form 337 must be kept permanently. Temporary records, such as routine 100-hour or annual inspections, only need to be kept for 12 months or until the work is repeated. In 2026, many operators have migrated these logs to blockchain-based digital platforms to ensure data integrity and to prevent the loss of physical logbooks, which can decrease an aircraft's value by 30% or more if they go missing.