Lesson 15: Aircraft Inspections

Purpose of Inspection Programs

• Type Certificate – A legal document that states that the FAA has thoroughly examined the design of this aircraft and has determined that it meets all of the requirements for airworthiness as specified in the appropriate part of the FARs.

• Production Certificate – A legal document that states that the FAA has examined and continually monitors the production facilities of the manufacturer.

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Purpose of Inspection Programs

• An aircraft, built by a manufacturer that has a type certificate and a production certificate for the design of that aircraft, is issued a Certificate of Airworthiness.

• If any condition arises after the aircraft is certificated that indicates that it has some defect rendering it incapable of meeting its certification requirements an __________ is issued.

Purpose of Inspection Programs

• Required Inspections

• Preflight

• Periodic Maintenance Inspections

–Annual Inspection

– 100-hour Inspection

–Progressive Inspection

Purpose of Inspection Programs

• Annual Inspection

• Within every 12 calendar months

• Ends at midnight of the last day of the month.

• Performed by an A&P holding an Inspection Authorization (IA).

• List of discrepancies.

Purpose of Inspection Programs

• One Hundred Hour Inspection

• Aircraft operated for compensation or hire.

• Performed by an A&P (IA not required).

• No list of discrepancies.

• 100 hour limitation may be exceeded by not more than 10 hours if necessary to reach a place at which the inspection can be done.

Purpose of Inspection Programs

• Progressive inspection

• Exactly the same in scope and detail as the annual inspection.

• Conducted according to a time table approved by the FAA.

• Must be performed by an A&P holding an IA.

Purpose of Inspection Programs

• Altimeter And Static System Inspection

• Required for every aircraft that is operated under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

• Required every 24 calendar months.

• Static test can be performed by A&P.

• Altimeter inspection performed by repair station.

Purpose of Inspection Programs

• ATC Transponder Inspection

• Aircraft operation in most areas of controlled air space.

• Required every 24 calendar months.

• Performed by a certified repair station.