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Minimize Failure Risks with a 100 Hour Inspection Checklist

100-hour inspections are required under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s) to ensure the safety and airworthiness of an aircraft. Use a digital checklist to ensure the safety of an airplane in a much more efficient and effective way than through paper-based methods.

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What Is a 100 Hour Inspection?


The 100-hour assessment checklist guides inspectors in evaluating the safety of the plane. Use the checklist as your guide to making your plane compliant with Federal Aviation Administration or FAA laws.


The basis of the checklist is the inspection procedures for a CESSNA 172. It covers only the first set of CESSNA 172 operations.


Here is the content of the checklist:

  • Registration number of the plane
  • Aileron, rudder, and elevator stop checks
  • Seat tracks and stop checks
  • Wing surfaces, struts, and tips inspection
  • Engine and engine control checks
  • Induction system inspection

Some people think that the 100 hour inspection is the same as the annual inspection. Yet, they are different. Under the 100 hour assessment, the airplane undergoes evaluation every time it flies 100-hours. This could occur several times a year. The interval must not exceed 100- hours. In the annual assessment, the airplane undergoes inspection once a year.



This article covers the following topics:


1. What you should do before 100-hour inspections


2. Which type of attritions affect an aircraft


3. Why a digital checklist should be used for the 100-hour inspection


aircraft flight panel

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What Should Do Before 100-Hour Inspections?


The purpose of an inspection is to make sure that the aircraft is safe and fit to fly. Here are the things to do before a 100-hour inspection.


1. Remove or open all necessary access doors, inspection plates, fairing and cowling. Must clean both the aircraft and the engine.


2. Inspect the following parts of the fuselage and hull group when necessary:

  • Check the fabric and skin for signs of deterioration, distortion, defective or insecure attachment of fittings, and other evidence of failure.
  • Scrutinize for improper installation of components and system, evident defects, and unsatisfactory operation.
  • Gas bags, envelope, ballast tanks, and related parts for poor condition

3. Inspect the following components of the cabin and cockpit group for:

  • Loose equipment and for uncleanliness that can foul the controls.
  • Seats and safety belts for apparent defects and poor condition.
  • Windows and windshields for deterioration and breakage.
  • Instruments for poor condition, marking, mounting, and improper operation.
  • Flight and engine controls for improper operation and installation.

4. Batteries for improper installation and charge.


5. All systems for poor general condition, improper installation, obvious defects, and insecure attachments.


6. Inspect engine and nacelle group:

  • Engine section for visual evidence of excessive leaks of oil, fuel, hydraulic and their source.
  • Studs and nuts for defects and improper torquing.
  • Internal engine for compression of the cylinder and metal particles or foreign matters on screen and sump drain plugs. If compression is weak, check for improper internal tolerances and conditions.
  • Engine mount for cracks, looseness of mounting, and looseness of engine to mount.
  • Flexible vibration dampeners for deterioration and poor condition.
  • Engine controls for improper travel, defects, and improper safetying.
  • Lines, hoses and clamps for looseness, improper condition, and leaks.
  • Exhaust stacks for cracks, defects, and improper attachments.
  • All accessories for defects in the security of mounting.
  • All systems for improper installation, defects, insecure attachments, and poor general condition.
  • Cowling for cracks and defects.

7. Components of the landing gear group:


  • Shock absorbing devices for improper fluid level.
  • Linkages, trusses, and all members for excessive wear fatigue and distortion
  • Retracting and locking mechanism for improper operation
  • Hydraulic lines for leakage
  • Electrical system for chafing and improper operation switches

Other groups to inspect are:

  1. Empennage assembly
  2. Components of the wing
  3. Propeller

Checking all these before the inspection will result in safe and fit flights.



What type of Attritions Affect an Aircraft?


Wearing down of an aircraft occurs after years of operation. This makes maintenance vital in keeping an aircraft in top condition.


There are five attritions that can affect an aircraft:


1. Weather


Weather plays an important role in aircraft operations. Heavy rain, fog, and low clouds can hinder visibility in the airport. Landing or taking off of aircraft becomes dangerous when visibility is limited.


An aircraft in top condition may withstand bad weather conditions. Yet, it will be wise to wait until the weather improves. Some studies reveal that almost two-thirds of weather-related plane crashes were fatal.


2. Friction


The kind of friction that affects an airplane is friction drag. It is the resistance of the wind on the surfaces of the airplane. Friction drag can slow down a plane.


When there is a weather system or turbulence, the friction's drag increases. Bigger aircraft may find flying more difficult.


3. Overload


Overloading an airplane increases the risk of an accident. Small planes like a cessna 172 can easily climb even with one engine throbbing. Yet, overloading it can cause it to fly low and slow. When a plane flies below the minimum control airspeed, it can roll over and dive.


4. Heat


Heat can adversely affect flights. Extremely hot temperature reduces air density. It can cause many problems that make flying difficult and dangerous.


For instance, thin air reduces lift. An aircraft needs more air beneath it to generate pressure. The pressure must be high enough to hold the plane up. Low pressure beneath it can cause it to fall.


5. Vibration


Vibrations are common in an airplane. The vibration may come for the propellers. Or there might be a problem with the bearing. Some passengers are scared of these vibrations. They think that this can cause the plane to crash.


Flying through turbulence can cause severe shaking of the plane. Too much vibration may call for an emergency landing.


Awareness of the different aircraft attritions can decrease the possibility of accidents .Stay on the ground when there is a storm or when temperature is very high. Avoid overloading. Check sources of vibration and the extent of damage immediately.


Most importantly, do not disregard the 100-hour inspection. It will keep your aircraft safe and fit to fly.



bimotor plane inside a hangar

Why you should use a digital checklist for the 100-hour inspection


With a digital tool, you can easily perform your 100-hour inspections, report problems in an instant, and quickly assign corrective actions. The easy communication with all team members and third-party providers enables you to improve internal processes, minimize and resolve incidents up to four times faster.


In addition, you comply more easily with the ever-increasing legal requirements for the documentation of processes by documenting with the mobile app via smartphone or tablet and being guided by the system through all documentation processes. Clean, transparent documentation helps you avoid high fines.


Discover the advantages of a digital solution for the 100-hour inspection:



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