Types of Inspections

Inspection of an Airframe Examine – Checks against established guidelines Use your senses Acceptable Deterioration FAR Part 43 Appendix D Aircraft Manufacturers Check Lists Inspection – Your discretion but not Senses – Sight, sound, touch/feel, smell Deterioration – Decision making based on approved data FAR Part 43 appendix D – Details on what is required by the FAA for inspection of small aircraft ( Under 12,500 lbs gross takeoff weight) Manufacturers checklist – details appropriate to the specific aircraft – customized and detailed MEL – equipment that if inoperative will ground the a.c. or allow to be flown with flight restrictions, deffering maintenance for specific times. Specific to the a.c. If inoperative – record in logbook for repair or differed maintenance according to manufacturer

Who can do it? 100 hour inspection Annual Inspection Inspection required by an AD Inspection required by a Service Bulletin Phase Inspection C of A or Export inspection Delegation of inspection authority Return an aircraft to service Where would you find this in the FAR’s

Inspections Preflight Inspection Annual Inspections 100 Hour Inspections Progressive inspections Continuous airworthiness inspections Approved Aircraft Inspection Program Conformity Inspection Special Inspections Conditional Inspections FAR 91 – GENERAL OPERATING and Flight rules and specifies inspections required for airworthyness SUBPART E - Inspection programs – small A.C. fall into this catigory. Preflight inspection – walk around – MEL’s Annual Inspections – Small G.A. aircraft - 12 calendar months – A.I. 100 Hour – Same as annual – A&P performed – 100 hours time in service Progressive inspection – annual with little time out for down time – FSDO office approved CAMP - air carrier (Part 91 operator) with make and model AAIP – Part 135 on demand operators – continuous maintenance program Conformity Inspections – A.C. Specs. VS actual a.c., engine and components Special inspections – Transponder, Static system, ELT etc.

PREFLIGHT INSPECTIONS Ground Inspections Compares MEL to aircraft Searches out obvious problems Primarily for flight crew

Annual Inspections 12 Calendar months Appendix D of 14 CFR Part 43 Inspection Authorization Required

Progressive Inspection Limits out of commission time Same scope and detail as a annual but divides workload Aircraft must be airworthy at all times Aircraft must conform to all FAA Specifications Manufacturer develops forms for progressive inspections FAA approves inspection program Manual must be developed for that particular a.c. A certified mechanic holding an I.A. a certified repair station or the aircraft manufacturer may SUPERVISE or conduct the inspection

Progressive Inspections Who can perform the inspection? Who can perform the maintenance? Can this be the same person?

More Acronyms CAMP Continuous Airworthiness Inspection Program AAIP Approved Aircraft Inspection Program

Large Aircraft Inspections CAMP inspections Air Carrier Part 91 operations under another carriers part 121 operation Approved Aircraft Inspection Program On demand operators under part 135 for inspections which are deemed by the FAA to be inadequate. May be implemented for a make and model of aircraft

Manufacturers Recommended Inspection Program For new and low time aircraft Based on limited modifications that are still relevant to the aircraft If deemed not to be applicable to the entire A.C. – another inspection method must be employed

Aircraft Conformity Inspections Searching for alterations and conformity to the original design Data for conformity gathered from: TCD’s STC’s Form 337’s AD’s Equipment lists Other pertinent information TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEETS Supplimental type certificates 337’s for major repairs or alterations A.D.’s for modifications Equipment lists – MEL’s Pilot operating Handbooks Hand out and go through Checklists

Conformity is one of the most commonly overlooked parts of an inspection – Detail sheet

Air Carrier vs. Air Charter FAR Part 91 operators Ongoing maintenance is not required FAR part 121 operators Must continually maintain and inspect their aircraft FAR part 135 operators May choose from several different inspection programs Part 91 – Annual and/or 100 hour Part 121 – CAMP programs Comprehensive Complex maintenance Specific to the operators aircraft Complex facilities Keeps a.c. in service more Different for each air carrier May be based on calendar hours or flight hours Letter Checks – Based on flight hours (SLIDE)

Letter Check Schedule Explain with example

Work Cards Explain Work cards

Part 135 Inspections Several options Less than 9 seats = FAR part 91 and 43 rules i.e. 100 hour or progressive inspection 10 or more seats = Broader scope inspection program AAIP (Approved Aircraft Inspection Program) is the most common Continual Maintenance Aircraft Specific Operator chooses schedule with FAA blessing

AAIP phase inspection Schedule

Special Inspections Special Inspections Prescribed intervals other than those set by the manufacturer May be scheduled by flight hours, calendar time, or aircraft cycles May include: Oil Change in certain conditions Compass Compensation Static system inspections Transponder ELT

Conditional Inspections Unscheduled Inspections Overstress conditions Overweight Hard landing Act of God conditions Lightening Volcanic ash Contact with foreign objects Prop Strike FOD Bird Strike