Annual Aircraft Inspections in Tucson, AZ
Every certificated small aircraft needs an annual inspection every 12 calendar months to stay legal to fly. If you are looking for an annual inspection for your small plane in Tucson, Premier Aviation Tucson can handle it from the first phone call to the final logbook entry.
What Is an Annual Inspection?
Under FAA regulation 14 CFR 91.409(a), an aircraft cannot be operated unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had an annual inspection and has been approved for return to service by an authorized person.
The key phrase is calendar months. Your annual comes due at the end of the twelfth month, not 365 days to the day. If your last annual was completed on March 10, your next one is due by March 31 of the following year.
An annual is a complete, condition-based look at the whole airplane, following the scope laid out in Appendix D of 14 CFR Part 43. It applies to most piston-powered airplanes, including the Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Mooney and Cirrus aircraft that fill Tucson's hangars and tie-downs.
Who Can Sign Off an Annual?
An annual inspection must be signed off by an A&P mechanic who holds an Inspection Authorization (IA), or by a certificated repair station or the aircraft manufacturer. A mechanic with an A&P certificate alone can do a great deal of maintenance, but cannot approve an aircraft for return to service after an annual. For a plain-language breakdown of who can do what, read our guide on who can perform aircraft maintenance.
What We Inspect During an Annual
The FAA scope is organized by aircraft area. Every one of these is opened up, inspected and checked against airworthiness standards.
Fuselage & Structure
Skin, frames, fittings and covering, checked for cracks, deformation and corrosion. Because corrosion can hide in places you cannot see on a walk-around, see our page on corrosion prevention and treatment.
Engine & Propeller
Cylinder compression, leaks, exhaust, ignition, accessories, engine mounts and the propeller and its hardware, plus a check of the screens and filters for metal particles.
Landing Gear
Struts, wheels, tires, brakes and, on retractable aircraft, the retraction system and its operation.
Wings, Tail & Flight Controls
Wing and tail structure, control surfaces, cables, pulleys, hinges, bearings and control travel.
Cabin & Cockpit
Seats, belts, instruments, controls, placards, windows and doors, along with the condition of the interior.
Electrical & Radio
Wiring, batteries, lighting, antennas and the installation of your radios and avionics. If your panel is aging, our avionics upgrade options are worth a look while the airplane is open.
Records & Airworthiness Directives
A review of your logbooks and compliance with applicable airworthiness directives (ADs), so what the paperwork says matches what is on the airplane.
Annual vs. 100-Hour vs. Pre-Buy Inspection
These three inspections are often confused. They serve different purposes.
Annual
Required every 12 calendar months for most aircraft. Must be signed off by an IA or repair station. Covers the full scope in Part 43, Appendix D.
100-Hour
Required every 100 hours for aircraft that carry passengers for hire or are used for paid flight instruction. An annual can satisfy a 100-hour, but a 100-hour cannot replace an annual.
Pre-Buy
Not a regulatory requirement. A buyer-ordered inspection to learn the true condition of an airplane before purchase.
Other Checks That Often Come Due With Your Annual
Several recurring requirements are separate from the annual itself but are easy to line up while your airplane is in the shop:
- ELT inspection: every 12 calendar months, with battery replacement when required.
- Transponder test: every 24 calendar months.
- Altimeter and static system checks: every 24 calendar months for IFR flight.
- Airworthiness directives: recurring ADs that may come due on your airplane.
What Tucson Flying Does to an Airplane
Desert flying is easy on some parts of an airplane and hard on others. Intense sun and heat age paint, seals, hoses, wiring insulation and interiors faster than many owners expect, and the heat load affects avionics too. Dust works into control hinges and cowlings, and monsoon-season humidity can start corrosion in places that stayed dry for months.
Our annual inspections pay attention to these local wear patterns. For more, read how Tucson heat affects your avionics and our pre-flight corrosion walk-around checklist.
What to Expect When You Bring Your Plane In
1. Contact us
Tell us your make and model, when your last annual was done, and any known issues.
2. Schedule and drop off
Bring the aircraft with its logbooks and records.
3. Inspection
We open up the airplane and work through the full inspection scope.
4. Findings review
We go over anything that needs attention and discuss repairs with you before additional work begins.
5. Return to service
Once any discrepancies are resolved, the annual is signed off in your logbooks.
Our repair service terms and estimates explain how we handle estimates and approvals.
How to Prepare for Your Annual
- Know your due date. Check your last annual entry and remember it expires at the end of the month.
- Gather your records. Airframe, engine and propeller logbooks, plus any AD compliance records you keep.
- Write down your squawks. Anything you have noticed in flight, such as vibrations, rough running, radio noise or instrument glitches, helps the inspection.
- Book early. Scheduling before your due month gives you room to handle any repairs without grounding the airplane.
Annual Inspection FAQs
How often does a small plane need an annual inspection?
Once every 12 calendar months. The inspection comes due at the end of the twelfth month after your last one.
What happens if my annual inspection expires?
You cannot legally operate the aircraft until a new annual is completed. If you need to move it to a facility for the inspection, the FAA can issue a special flight permit for that purpose.
Can a 100-hour inspection replace an annual?
No. An annual inspection can satisfy the 100-hour requirement, but a 100-hour inspection cannot substitute for an annual.
Who can perform an annual inspection?
It must be signed off by an A&P mechanic with an Inspection Authorization (IA), a certificated repair station or the aircraft manufacturer.
How long does an annual inspection take?
It depends on the aircraft type and age, what the inspection finds, and whether parts are needed. We can give you a realistic timeline once we know your airplane.
How much does an annual inspection cost?
Cost varies with the make and model, condition and any repairs that turn up. See our rates and discounts page or contact us for an estimate.
Ready to Schedule Your Annual in Tucson?
Tell us about your airplane and when your annual is due, and we will get you on the schedule.
Contact Premier Aviation Tucson
