Cap. 641 Art. 59Aircraft technical log and approved record.

(1) This article applies to each non-EASA aircraft registered in Malta for which a certificate of airworthiness is in force and which is a commercial air transport operation or a public transport aircraft.

(2) Subject to sub-article (3), an aircraft technical log containing the information in item 5 of Schedule 1 shall be kept in relation to every aircraft to which this article applies.

(3) In the case of an aircraft which has a maximum total weight authorised of two thousand seven hundred and thirty kilograms (2,730kg) or less and which is not operated by the holder of a national air operator’s certificate, a record approved by the Directorate in this article referred to as "an approved record", may be kept instead of an aircraft technical log.

(4) Subject to sub-article (5), at the end of every flight the pilot in command shall enter in the aircraft technical log or the approved record:

(a) the times when the aircraft took off and landed;

(b) information about any defect which is known to the pilot in command and which affects the airworthiness or safe operation of the aircraft, or if no such defect is known to the pilot in command, an entry to that effect; and

(c) such other information about the airworthiness or operation of the aircraft as the Directorate may require, and he shall sign and date the entries.

(5) Subject to sub-article (6), if there are two (2) or more consecutive flights, each of which begins and ends:

(a) within the same period of twenty-four (24) hours;

(b) at the same aerodrome, except where such each flight is for the purpose of dropping or projecting any material for agricultural, public health or similar purposes; and

(c) with the same person as pilot in command of the aircraft, the pilot in command may make the entries specified in sub-article

(4) at the end of the last of such consecutive flights.

(6) Sub-article (5) does not apply if the commander becomes aware of a defect during an earlier flight.

(7) When any defect which has been entered in an aircraft technical log or approved record is rectified, the person issuing a certificate of release to service issued under this Act or in respect of that defect shall enter the certificate in the technical log or approved record in such a position as to be readily identifiable with the defect to which it relates.

(8) Subject to sub-article (9) and Schedule 2, the aircraft technical log or approved record:

(a) shall be in the aircraft; and

(b) a copy of the entries required by this article shall be kept on the ground.

(9) In the case of an aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of not more than two thousand and seven hundred and thirty kilograms (2,730kg) and which is not a commercial air transport aircraft or a public transport aircraft, if it is not reasonably practicable for the copy of the aircraft technical log or approved record to be kept on the ground it may be carried in the aircraft.

(10) An aircraft technical log or approved record required by this article shall be preserved by the aircraft operator to which it relates for at least two (2) years after the aircraft has been destroyed or has been permanently withdrawn from use, or for such shorter period as the Directorate may permit in a particular case.