Overview
In order to verify that an aircraft is kept in an airworthy condition, the FAA mandates that aircraft get inspected on a regular basis. The type of inspection(s) required for a given flight can change based upon the expected flight rules and type of operation being conducted. For the proposed flight to be safe and legal, those various inspections must have occured within a given time frame prior to the flight - each time frame dependent on the type of inspection. These inspections must be verified complete by reviewing the aircraft's logbooks.
Memory Aids
| AAV1ATES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection | Notes | Reference | |
| A | Airworthiness Directives | All must be complied with | 14 CFR § 39.7 What is the legal effect of failing to comply with an airworthiness directive? |
| A | Annual Inspection | Required within the previous 12 calendar months | 14 CFR § 91.409 Inspections. |
| V | VOR Receiver Check | Required within the previous 30 days | 14 CFR § 91.171 VOR equipment check for IFR operations. |
| Only required for IFR | |||
| 1 | 100-Hour Inspection | Required within the previous 100 hours of flight time | 14 CFR § 91.409 Inspections. |
| Required for flight for hire only | |||
| May be replaced by an Annual Inspection | |||
| A | Altimeter Inspection | Required within the previous 24 calendar months | 14 CFR § 91.411 Altimeter system and altitude reporting equipment tests and inspections. |
| Only required for IFR | |||
| T | Transponder Inspection | Required within the previous 24 calendar month | 14 CFR § 91.413 ATC transponder tests and inspections. |
| Required whenever regulations mandate transponder use | |||
| E | ELT Inspection | Required within the previous 12 calendar months | 14 CFR § 91.207 Emergency locator transmitters. |
| S | Static System Inspection | Required within the previous 24 calendar months | 14 CFR § 91.411 Altimeter system and altitude reporting equipment tests and inspections. |
| Only required for IFR | |||