BetaTachMinder is in public beta — start free for 14 days, no credit card required.See plans →
FIELD NOTES

Notes from the hangar.

Practical maintenance insights for general aviation owners and pilots — annual inspections, AD compliance, digital tracking, and more.

Product UpdateMCP

Ask Your AI Assistant About Your Airplane: The TachMinder MCP Connector

TachMinder now works with your AI agent through MCP. Ask what’s overdue, check AD compliance, and log flights and squawks in plain language — no forms, no app switching.

·7 min read
Read
Engine HealthSpark Plugs

Spark Plug Maintenance for Piston Aircraft Engines: A GA Owner’s Guide

Why aircraft spark plugs foul, how they’re cleaned and rotated, and what a pilot-owner can legally do — all in plain language for Part 91 owners.

·7 min read
Read
ComplianceAirworthiness Directives

Service Bulletins vs. Airworthiness Directives: What’s Actually Mandatory

A “mandatory” service bulletin isn’t the same as an AD. Here’s what Part 91 owners must comply with — and when an SB becomes legally binding.

·7 min read
Read
MaintenanceCorrosion

Aircraft Corrosion Control: What Every GA Owner Should Know

How to recognize corrosion, where to look on your aircraft, what accelerates it, and how to keep it out of your logbook.

·7 min read
Read
RecordkeepingRegulations

Aircraft Maintenance Records: What FAR 91.417 Requires You to Keep

The records that prove your aircraft is airworthy. Here’s what FAR 91.417 requires Part 91 owners to keep, the two retention buckets owners mix up, and how to keep it audit-ready.

·7 min read
Read
MagnetosEngine Health

The 500-Hour Magneto Inspection: What It Is and Whether You Have to Do It

Is the 500-hour mag inspection required or recommended? Here’s what it covers, where the interval comes from, and how Part 91 owners should track it.

·7 min read
Read
Engine HealthCompression

Cylinder Compression Checks: What the Numbers Really Mean

Stop panicking over “low” compression numbers. Here’s how the differential compression test actually works — and why the master orifice and borescope matter more than any single reading.

·7 min read
Read
RegulationsPreventive Maintenance

What Pilots Can Legally Do Themselves: Preventive Maintenance Under FAR Part 43

A practical look at owner-performed preventive maintenance under FAR 43 — what’s allowed, what gets logged, and what still needs an A&P.

·8 min read
Read
Co-OwnershipShared Access

How Co-Owners Should Manage Shared Maintenance Records

Co-owned aircraft run into trouble when each partner tracks maintenance separately. Here's how GA partnerships can build one shared, reliable maintenance record.

·6 min read
Read
A&P MechanicShop Visits

Working Effectively with Your A&P Mechanic

The owner-mechanic relationship is the backbone of safe GA flying. Here's how to communicate better, prepare for shop visits, and get the most value from your A&P.

·8 min read
Read
SquawksMaintenance Tracking

Common Squawks and How to Track Them

Every aircraft has squawks. Learn the most common GA squawks, why tracking them matters for safety and your wallet, and how to build a squawk list that actually works.

·9 min read
Read
Pre-Buy InspectionAircraft Purchase

What to Look for in a Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a used aircraft? A thorough pre-buy inspection can save you thousands. Here's what every GA buyer should look for — from logbooks to compression checks to AD compliance.

·9 min read
Read
Inspection CyclesCompliance

ELT, Transponder, and Pitot-Static Inspection Cycles: What GA Pilots Need to Track

Your ELT, transponder, and pitot-static system each have their own inspection cycles. Miss one and you could be grounded — or worse, flying out of compliance. Here's how to keep them straight.

·8 min read
Read
Engine MaintenanceTBO

Engine TBO — What It Means and What It Doesn't

TBO is one of the most misunderstood numbers in GA aircraft ownership. Here's what time between overhaul actually means, what it doesn't mean, and how Part 91 owners should think about it.

·9 min read
Read
Tach TimeHobbs Time

Tach Time vs. Hobbs Time — What Pilots Get Wrong

Tach time and Hobbs time are not the same thing, and confusing them can mean flying past a service limit or grounding yourself unnecessarily. Here's what every GA owner-operator needs to know.

·9 min read
Read
Oil AnalysisEngine Health

Oil Analysis and Trend Tracking for Piston Engines

Oil analysis is one of the most cost-effective tools for monitoring piston engine health. Learn what the numbers mean, how to spot trends, and why a single report isn't enough.

·9 min read
Read
Airworthiness DirectivesCompliance

Understanding Airworthiness Directives: A Guide to Staying Compliant

What ADs are, the different types, how to check applicability, and practical tips for tracking compliance on your GA aircraft.

·7 min read
Read
Annual InspectionMaintenance

How to Prepare for Your Annual Inspection

A practical guide for GA owners on gathering records, communicating with your IA, managing costs, and making your annual inspection go smoothly.

·8 min read
Read
Digital TrackingLogbooks

Why GA Pilots Need Digital Maintenance Tracking

Paper logbooks have limitations. Learn how digital maintenance tracking helps GA owners stay organized, compliant, and ahead of costly surprises.

·6 min read
Read

Ready to simplify
your maintenance tracking?

TachMinder keeps every record cited, every AD up-to-date, and every squawk in one place. Free for 14 days.

Confirm