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The first question we ask is – whose insurance is the aircraft covered by? Is it the manufacturers, operators, MROs, or owners? Once we have the answer to this question, we must ensure that their representatives prepare the aircraft for the inspection.

Have the aircraft prepared and made ready for inspection by extending the flaps and slats (remembering not to open the engine cowls for underwing mounted engines, as this could damage the cowls or slats). Open the nose and main landing gear doors – pins in. Then open the following: cargo doors with access to the freight bays, APU compartments, electronic bay, rear pressure bulkhead and the THS actuator. Ensure all have suitable access. 

Now that the aircraft is ready. The appropriate representatives must position the necessary steps or platforms to allow us access to the various areas. We begin at the front of the aircraft and go clockwise until we return to the nose. As we carry out the inspection, we need to take pictures of any findings we identify and photograph the various data plates on the landing gear and the APU.

We can now retract the flaps and slats and open the fan cowls and thrust reversers so we can inspect the engine components as well as the cowls in the open position. We will take pictures of the engine, owner, and operator data plates, as well as the fan blades, exhaust, and inlet cowl, checking for any signs of damage. 

Whilst the physical inspection is taking place, ensure that there is someone on the headset at the nose of the aircraft who can confirm that it is clear to move any surfaces, start the hydraulics, APU etc. We always follow the manufacturer’s checklist such as the customer’s acceptance manual and tick off as function checks are completed, this would also include engine runs once the physical inspection is passed 

We follow the aircraft acceptance check sheet or if this is a lease inspection we use the lease inspection check sheet, these will give us all the guidance and assistance we need to carry out the physical inspection. Both checklists can be found here in our online store. And if you would like to discuss your project with us, please fill in our contact form.