IA Annual Inspection Scope, Planning & Checklist Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Can an IA use a checklist from a manufacturer's maintenance manual as a substitute for 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D?
- Yes, if the manufacturer's checklist is more comprehensive than Appendix D (Correct answer)
- Only if the FAA has specifically approved the manufacturer's checklist for that aircraft type
- No, Appendix D is the minimum standard and the manufacturer's checklist must address at least all of those items
- Yes, manufacturer data always supersedes regulatory checklists
Correct answer: Yes, if the manufacturer's checklist is more comprehensive than Appendix D
A manufacturer's checklist may be used and is often more comprehensive than Appendix D, but it must at minimum cover all items specified in Appendix D.
Question 2: What is the IA required to document in the aircraft records upon completion of an annual inspection, per 14 CFR 43.11?
- Only the date and the total airframe time
- The description of the work performed, the date, the aircraft total time, the IA's signature, certificate number, and a statement of return to service or disapproval (Correct answer)
- Only the IA's certificate number and the date of the inspection
- A full description of every item inspected and its condition
Correct answer: The description of the work performed, the date, the aircraft total time, the IA's signature, certificate number, and a statement of return to service or disapproval
14 CFR 43.11 requires specific entries including the type of inspection, airframe time, date, a return-to-service or disapproval statement, and the IA's signature and certificate number.
Question 3: An IA completes an annual inspection but finds one unairworthy item. What must happen before the return-to-service entry can be made?
- The unairworthy item must be repaired or, if deferrable under an MEL, properly deferred (Correct answer)
- The IA can approve the aircraft and note the discrepancy as an owner advisory
- A 30-day corrective action period is automatically granted after any annual
- The owner must sign a waiver accepting the unairworthy condition
Correct answer: The unairworthy item must be repaired or, if deferrable under an MEL, properly deferred
An aircraft cannot be approved for return to service with an unairworthy item unless it is properly deferred under an applicable MEL; otherwise it must be repaired first.
Question 4: What does the IA inspect regarding the aircraft's landing gear during an annual?
- Tread depth on main gear tires only
- Structural components, retraction mechanism, wheel bearings, brakes, tires, and gear position indicators (Correct answer)
- Gear door alignment and aerodynamic sealing only
- Only the nose gear steering system for directional control
Correct answer: Structural components, retraction mechanism, wheel bearings, brakes, tires, and gear position indicators
Annual landing gear inspection covers all structural attachment points, retraction and extension systems, brakes, tire condition, wheel bearings, and position indicating systems.
Question 5: What must an IA verify about the aircraft's placards and markings during an annual?
- That all placards match the airline operator's style guide
- That all required placards are present, legible, and located per the aircraft type certificate and operating limitations (Correct answer)
- That placards are laminated for durability
- That placards are only in English regardless of the aircraft's country of registration
Correct answer: That all required placards are present, legible, and located per the aircraft type certificate and operating limitations
Placards are part of the aircraft type design and operating limitations; missing or illegible required placards are an airworthiness deficiency.
Question 6: How does an IA document a discrepancy found during an annual that the aircraft owner will have repaired by another mechanic?
- The IA writes the discrepancy in the aircraft logbook and disapproves the aircraft for return to service (Correct answer)
- The IA verbally notifies the owner and waits for the other mechanic to write the entry
- The IA leaves the logbook blank until all repairs are complete
- The IA approves the aircraft conditionally pending repairs
Correct answer: The IA writes the discrepancy in the aircraft logbook and disapproves the aircraft for return to service
When an IA finds a discrepancy, they must document it in the records and issue a disapproval for return to service; the aircraft cannot be flown until the discrepancy is corrected and a return-to-service entry is made.
IA Annual Inspection Scope, Planning & Checklist Standards 2
Can an IA use a checklist from a manufacturer's maintenance manual as a substitute for 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D?