What is a legal requirement before performing an annual or 100 hour inspection on an aircraft?

Before performing an annual or 100-hour inspection on an aircraft, it is a legal requirement to ensure that the maintenance log is properly prepared and updated. This log needs to show the aircraft’s maintenance history, including previous inspections, repairs, and any discrepancies noted. Proper documentation is critical as it ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and provides a clear record of the aircraft’s safety and airworthiness status.

While cleaning the aircraft is a good practice to facilitate an inspection, it is not legally mandated as a prerequisite for the inspection itself. Documentation of flight hours is important for tracking maintenance intervals but is not a legal requirement before conducting the inspection. Notification to the FAA might be necessary in some cases, but it does not apply universally to every inspection. Therefore, ensuring that the maintenance log is complete and accurate is paramount as it supports the legal obligations of the technician and the overall maintenance program.