The Role of Aircraft Inspections for Aviation Safety
An aircraft inspection is standard procedure in the aviation industry but must always be performed with meticulous attention to detail. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates all aspects of American civil aviation. They set comprehensive aircraft inspection guidelines that must be followed strictly to ensure the highest aviation safety standards. In this article, the FBO Services team at Monmouth Jet Center in NJ will discuss the role of aircraft inspections with a focus on aviation safety.
The Importance of Aircraft Inspections for Aviation Safety
The importance of aircraft inspections cannot be understated when you consider there are 45,000 daily flights throughout the United States carrying over 2 million airline passengers. Aircraft are consistently subjected to extreme conditions, including rapid pressure changes, variable weather, and high altitudes. These conditions impact the craft on every level. Regular inspections help to identify and address potential issues before they become major problems that lead to accidents. One accident is one too many, and aircraft inspections contribute to consistently safe operations.
Types of Aircraft Inspections
There are several types of aircraft inspections, including pre-flight, post-flight, 100-hour, annual, progressive, and special inspections. They occur at different stages of an aircraft’s life cycle and serve a specific purpose. Let’s take a closer look at the 100-hour and annual aircraft inspections.
100-Hour Aircraft Inspection
The 100-hour aircraft inspection must be conducted after every 100 hours of service. It is mandatory for charter jets that are rented out and aircraft used for flight instruction. The inspection is comprehensive and covers the entire aircraft, including the external structure, internal systems, electronic equipment, and the radio. An FAA-certified Inspection Authorized (IA) aircraft mechanic or an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) can conduct the 100-hour inspection.
Annual Aviation Inspection
The FAA requires all civil aircraft to undergo an annual inspection regardless of use. An annual inspection in the aviation industry must take place every twelve calendar months and is similar to the 100-hour inspections in detail. The one area where it differs is that only an FAA-certified inspector with an Inspection Authorization (IA) can conduct an annual inspection. These inspectors are experts, and their qualifications go beyond standard mechanical knowledge.
Aircraft Inspection Requirements
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 14, Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 43, Appendix D contains the aircraft inspection requirements for items that must be checked. What are some of the components to be inspected?
- Fuselage and hull group
- Cabin and cockpit
- Engine and nacelle
- Landing gear
- Wing and center section assembly
- Empennage assembly
- Propeller group
- Radio group.
Regulations require that an inspector remove and open all necessary inspection plates, access doors, fairing, and cowling at the inspection’s start. They must also ensure the aircraft and aircraft engine are thoroughly cleaned.
Inspection Guidelines in Aviation
The inspection guidelines set out in CFR Title 14 provide a benchmark for all inspections and inform every action taken to ensure an inspected aircraft is safe to go into operation. No discussion around aircraft inspections and aviation safety is complete without highlighting the value of detailed record-keeping. Aircraft logbooks and maintenance records contain the aircraft’s history, including repairs, modifications, maintenance performed, and inspections. These documents influence the airplane’s value, serve as a record during an accident investigation, and ultimately show that the owner was meticulous in ensuring all required FAA inspections were completed successfully.
We are unyielding in our commitment to aviation safety at Monmouth Jet Center and maintain the highest maintenance and inspection standards. Call us today to discuss how we can help your team with an aircraft inspection and other FBO services or visit our website at: https://monmouthjetcenter.com/