The maintenance inspection that must be performed every 100 hours on aircraft under 12,500 pounds used for hire is called the

• A. 100-Hour Inspection
• B. Annual Inspection
• C. Preflight Inspection
• D. Transit Inspection

Answer: (A)

Maintenance schedules for small airplanes include a specific check interval for aircraft used for hire. When the airplane’s maximum takeoff weight is under 12,500 pounds and it’s used for hire or flight instruction, it must undergo a formal inspection every 100 hours of time in service. This keeps airworthiness up to date between the longer annual inspection and provides a repeatable, countable maintenance point during commercial or instructional operations. The inspection is performed by an appropriately rated mechanic and the results, along with hours since the last inspection, are recorded in the aircraft’s logbooks.

This is distinct from other inspections: the annual inspection is required every 12 calendar months regardless of flight hours; the preflight inspection is a pilot’s routine check before each flight; and the transit inspection is a temporary move-check used when an aircraft needs to be flown without a current 100-hour or annual inspection.