A flight log book holds information for one aircraft only. During the lifecycle of the aircraft, the same flight log book is used to record and maintain information about that specific aircraft. The flight log book includes information about the aircraft and its flight data, discrepancies, maintenance, and personnel.

An aircraft logbook is a legal chronological record of the vehicle’s entire life and airworthiness. You would expect to find detailed entries for total time in service (TTIS), recording every flight hour for the airframe, engine, and propeller. It must contain records of all "Scheduled Inspections" (such as the Annual or 100-hour inspections) and evidence of compliance with Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are mandatory safety fixes issued by the FAA or EASA. Additionally, the logbook documents all "Major Repairs and Alterations," including the specific parts used and the signature/license number of the certified mechanic who performed the work. For modern aircraft in 2026, you might also find records of "life-limited parts"—components that must be replaced after a specific number of cycles regardless of their condition. Without a complete and accurate logbook, an aircraft is considered "unairworthy" and its resale value can drop by as much as 50%.