What Is a 100 hour inspection checklist?
The 100-hour assessment checklist guides inspectors in evaluating the safety of the plane. Use the checklist as your guide to complying with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) laws.
Table of contents
1. What should a 100 hour inspection include?
2. What types of damage can affect aircrafts?
2.1. 1. Weather
2.2. 2. Friction
2.3. 3. Overload
2.4. 4. Heat
2.5. 5. Vibration
3. Digital software for 100-hour inspection checklists
What should a 100-hour inspection include?
The purpose of an inspection is to make sure that the aircraft is safe and fit to fly. In order to make sure of that, you should inspect:
- The registration number of the plane
- The aileron, rudder, and elevator stop
- Seat tracks and stop checks
- Wing surfaces, struts, and tips
- Engine and engine control mechanisms
- Induction systems
Some people think that a 100 hour inspection is the same as an annual inspection, but they are different. Under the 100 hour assessment, your airplane is evaluated each time it flies another 100 hours. This could occur several times a year. You must not let the plane fly more than 100 hours without an inspection. In an annual assessment, planes only undergo inspection once a year.
When preparing for a 100-hour inspection, in addition to drawing up a checklist, you should:
- 1. Remove or open all necessary access doors, inspection plates, fairing and cowling. Clean both the aircraft and the engine.
- 2. Inspect 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. Make sure all components and systems were installed properly, check for evident defects, and ensure operations are performed correctly. Check that the gas bags, envelope, ballast tanks, and related parts fare in working condition
- 3. Inspect the cabin and cockpit group for loose equipment or dirty controls, the seats and safety belts for apparent defects and poor condition, the windows and windshields for deterioration and breakage, the instruments for poor condition, marking, mounting, and improper operation, and the flight/engine controls for improper operation and installation.
- 4. Make sure the batteries are properly installed and charged.
- 5. Inspect all systems for poor general condition, improper installation, obvious defects, and insecure attachments.
- 6. Inspect the engine and nacelle group, including:
- 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, loose 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. Inspect the following components of the landing gear group:
- Shock absorbing devices, checking the 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
- Empennage assembly
- Wing components
- Propeller
- 100-hour inspections are carried out approximately 30%-50% faster, depending on the application.
- You can create custom inspection templates using Lumiform’s checklist builder in minutes.
- You have access to 12,000 templates which can get you started performing any relevant inspections.
- You have access to sophisticated analytics that give you an easy way to view inspection results.
Also make sure to check the:
What types of damage can affect aircrafts?
Wear and tear happens after years of use, making maintenance vital in keeping your aircraft running.
Five common factors lead to damaged airplanes:
1. Weather
Weather plays an important role in aircraft operations. Heavy rain, fog, and low clouds all hinder visibility and can make flight more dangerous. Though you may withstand bad weather conditions, it’s usually wise to wait for the weather to improve.
2. Friction
The kind of friction that affects an airplane is friction drag, which is wind resistance on the surface of airplanes. Friction drag can slow down a plane. Bad or turbulent weather increases friction drag. Bigger airplanes are particularly affected.
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, but may fly too slowly if overloaded. When a plane flies below the minimum control airspeed, it can roll over and dive.
4. Heat
Heat can adversely affect flights. Extremely hot temperatures reduce air density and make flying difficult. Thin air reduces lift, meaning the plane 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, whether they come from the propeller, bearing, or somewhere else. Flying through turbulence can cause planes to shake severely. Too much vibration may call for an emergency landing.
Knowing the most common flight hazards is key to keeping your passengers safe during their journey. In addition to rescheduling flights where possible to avoid dangerous conditions, consistently evaluate your airplane using your 100-hour inspection checklist so it stays in flying shape.
Digital software for 100-hour inspection checklists
Using software helps you easily perform 100-hour inspections, report any problems, and assign corrective actions. Faster communication with team members and stakeholders improves internal processes and minimizes incidents.
In addition, documenting your 100-hour inspection checklists with the Lumiform app helps you stay compliant with legal regulations and avoid high fines.
Switching to digital, paperless inspections also means:
