## Progressive Inspection 

To minimize maintenance downtime, the owner may opt for a progressive inspection plan. Progressive inspections benefit owners whose aircraft experience high usage such as fixed base operators (FBOs), flight schools, and corporate flight departments. Unlike an annual inspection, a progressive inspection allows for more frequent but shorter inspection phases, only if all items required for the annual and 100-hour inspections are inspected within the required time. The authority to use a progressive inspection plan is non-transferable. Once the aircraft is sold, an annual becomes due within 12 calendar months of the last complete cycle. The 100-hour inspection is due at the completion of the next 100 hours of operation. Most airframe manufacturers provide a boilerplate progressive maintenance plan. 

14 CFR Part 43, Appendix D, Scope and Detail of Items (as Applicable to the Particular Aircraft) To Be Included in Annual and 100-Hour Inspections, contains a list of general items to be checked during inspections. 

## Altimeter System Inspection 

The aircraft’s static system, altimeter, and automatic altitude-reporting (Mode C) system must have been inspected and tested in the preceding 24 calendar months before flying instrument flight rules (IFR) in controlled airspace. 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix E, Altimeter System Test and Inspection, lists the items that must be checked. 

## Transponder Inspection 

The transponder must be inspected every 24 calen- dar months. 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix F, ATC Transponder Tests and Inspections, lists the items that must be checked. Additionally, the installation of or modification to a transponder must be inspected for data errors as well. 

## Preflight Inspection 

A pilot is required to conduct a thorough preflight inspection before every flight to ensure that the aircraft is safe for flight. Pilots should review the maintenance status of the aircraft as a part of the preflight inspection. 

## repairs and Alterations 

All repairs and alterations of standard airworthiness certificated aircraft are classified as either major or minor. 14 CFR part 43, appendix A, describes the alterations and repairs considered major. Major repairs or alterations are approved for return to service on FAA Form 337, Major Repair and Altera- tion, by an appropriately rated certificated repair station, an FAA-certificated A&P mechanic holding an IA, or a representative of the Administrator. Minor repairs and minor alterations may be approved for return to service with a proper entry in the maintenance records by a certificated A&P mechanic or an appropriately certificated repair station. 

Alterations to light-sport aircraft certificated in the light-sport aircraft category under 14 CFR part 21, section 21.190, must be authorized by the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA in accordance with 14 CFR part 91, section 91.327. 

## minimum equipment list/Configuration deviation list 

If your aircraft has an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL), the MEL should be used to determine if a flight may be initiated with inoperative aircraft equipment without the issuance of a special flight permit. Your Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) may also include a Configuration Deviation List (CDL) pre- pared by the manufacturer. 

If your aircraft does not have an approved MEL, and you have inoperative equipment or instruments, then you must refer to 14 CFR part 91, section 91.213, to determine if a special flight permit is needed to operate the aircraft. 

## FAA resources 

You can find all of the maintenance requirements applicable to your aircraft in 14 CFR by accessing the relevant regulations on the FAA website at www.faa.gov. The best resource for answering questions about the maintenance necessary on your aircraft is your local FSDO. 

## experimental Aircraft 

If you make any major alterations to your experimental aircraft, you must notify your local FSDO of those alterations. 

