Personal FAQ:
Lost Logbooks
There are two FAA sources for the information of how to handle them
The first is FAA Order 8700.1 - General Aviation Operations Inspector's Handbook, Volume 2 (General Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) Tasks And Responsibilities), Chapter 1, Section 10, Paragraph 21
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21. LOST LOGBOOKS OR FLIGHT RECORDS. Aeronautical experience requirements must be shown for a person to be eligible for the issuance or to exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate. A pilot who has lost logbooks or flight time records should be reminded that any fraudulent or intentional false statements concerning aeronautical experience are a basis for suspension or revocation of any certificate or rating held. The pilot who has this problem may, at the discretion of the inspector accepting the application for a pilot certificate or rating, use a signed and notarized statement of previous flight time as the basis for starting a new flight time record. Such a statement should be substantiated by all available evidence, such as aircraft logbooks, receipts for aircraft rentals, and statements of flight operators.
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The, second, which is a little more helpful and goes into more detail is FAA Order 8400.10 - Air Transportation Operations Inspector's Handbook. Volume 5 (Airman Certification And Designated Examiners), Chapter 9, Section 4, Paragraph 731
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731. LOST LOGBOOKS OR FLIGHT RECORDS. Inspectors should advise airmen that they may reconstruct lost logbooks or flight records by providing a signed statement of previous flight time.
A. Proof of Experience. Airmen may use the following items to substantiate flight time and experience:
* Aircraft logbooks
* Receipts for aircraft rentals
* Operator records
* Copies of airman medical files
* Copies of FAA Form 8710-1, "Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application"
B. Obtaining File Copies. Airmen who have lost their logbooks or flight records may request copies of their files from the FAA by writing to the following:
FAA Airmen Certification Branch, AVN-460
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
FAA, Aeromedical Certification Branch
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
NOTE: Inspectors should encourage pilots to complete the flight time sections of official record forms, even though it would not be required for that specific certificate. These records document a chronological development of flight time in case personal records become lost.
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Obviously, the records used to reconstruct the logbook should be kept in a safe place. And it's not stated, but since the primary use of the reconstructed logbook will be to verify the information in the student's 8710-1, it would be a good idea to review what you did with the DPE who will be performing the practical test or with a local FSDO inspector.
