Pilots fill in log entries during and after the flight. These log entries are taken to the maintenance dept.
that takes action according to the entries and then fills in their own comments.
Here are some real life entries from the logs of a finnish airplane company.(freely translated by me)
P=Pilots log entry
M=Maintenance log entry
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P: -Left inner tire almost needs to be changed
M: -Left inner tire almost changed
P: -Test flight OK, automatic landing rough
M: -Automatic landing feature not installed on the plane
P: -Something loose in the cockpit
M: -Someting tightened in the cockpit
P: -Dead bugs on the windshield
M: -Live bugs have been ordered
P: -Marks of leakage on right main landing-gear
M: -Marks removed
P: -Radiobeacons volume unbelievable
M: -Volume set to an believable level
P: -IFF-system doesnt work
M: -IFF-system never works on "OFF-mode"
P: -3rd motor missing (Pilot means that its missing from the programs listing)
M: -3rd motor found from the right wing after a quick search
P: -Plane acting funny
M: -Told the plane to act seriously
P: -Mouse in the cockpit
M: -Cat installed