Aircraft Preventive Maintenance Checklist

An aircraft maintenance program runs on two clocks at once — hours in service and calendar time — and missing either one can ground the aircraft just as effectively as a mechanical failure. A 100-hour inspection that slips past its limit, an Airworthiness Directive left unresolved, or a transponder check that passes its 24-month window all have the same result: the aircraft isn’t legal to fly until it’s addressed. This checklist is organized by inspection type, from the preventive maintenance an owner-pilot can legally perform directly to the inspections only a certificated mechanic can sign off, so nothing slips through because it was tracked the wrong way.

Maintenance technician reviewing a tablet beside a small aircraft during a preventive maintenance inspection

Jump to a section Preflight & Squawk Log Owner-Performed PM Oil & Filter (Hour-Based) 100-Hour Inspection Annual Inspection Periodic Compliance AD Compliance

Use the checkboxes below for routine tracking, or print this page for the aircraft maintenance log.

Preflight & Squawk Log

Complete a preflight inspection following the aircraft’s own POH or type-specific checklist before each flightThis checklist tracks maintenance scheduling and compliance; it is not a substitute for the aircraft’s own preflight procedure.
Log any discrepancy noticed before or during flight — unusual vibration, an abnormal gauge reading, a control that feels different, or a fluid stain — in the squawk sheet or logbook
Confirm required inspections, Airworthiness Directives, and life-limited component replacements are current before flight
Verify the aircraft’s registration, airworthiness certificate, and weight-and-balance data are on board as required

Owner-Performed Preventive Maintenance

Service tires and wheels, including cleaning, lubricating, and repacking wheel bearings
Service shock struts by adding air or hydraulic fluid as needed
Clean, re-gap, or replace spark plugs per the engine manufacturer’s specifications
Clean or replace fuel and oil strainers or screens
Replace landing light, position light, and other exterior light bulbs, and troubleshoot related wiring
Replace the battery and service battery fluid
Repair fabric, skin, cowling, or fairing damage within the limits of simple or minor preservation operations
Replace side windows (not windshields), seats, seat belts, and upholstery
Remove and reinstall tray-mounted avionics units, excluding autopilots, transponders, and DME equipmentThese are examples of preventive maintenance tasks listed in 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A.^[2] Only a certificated pilot (private pilot certificate or higher) who owns or operates the aircraft may perform and sign off this work, using methods acceptable under 14 CFR 43.13, and must log it per AC 43-12A.^[4] Confirm a specific task actually qualifies before performing it — everything outside this list requires a certificated mechanic.

Oil & Filter (Hour-Based Service)

Change engine oil and filter at the engine manufacturer’s recommended intervalCommon general guidance for piston engines is roughly every 50 hours for a full-flow spin-on filter system or every 25 hours for a pressure-screen system — confirm the actual interval against the specific engine manufacturer’s documentation.
Change the oil and filter at least every 4 calendar months regardless of hours flown, since infrequent flying lets moisture and acids build up in the oil
Submit an oil sample for laboratory analysis if the operator maintains an oil-analysis trend program
Inspect and clean or replace the induction air filter per the engine manufacturer’s schedule
Grease and lubricate control cables, hinges, and other points called out in the aircraft’s maintenance manual on the same interval

100-Hour Inspection

Confirm the 100-hour inspection is completed within 100 hours of time in service if the aircraft carries passengers for hire or is used for flight instruction for hire14 CFR 91.409 permits up to a 10-hour overage to reach a maintenance facility, with the excess time counting toward the next 100-hour interval.^[1] An aircraft not used commercially may substitute an annual inspection for the 100-hour requirement.
Have the inspection performed and signed off by a certificated mechanic (A&P) — an Inspection Authorization is not required for a 100-hour inspection
Confirm the inspection follows the scope defined in 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D
Confirm any discrepancies found are corrected, or deferred per an approved minimum equipment list if one applies, before further flight
Update aircraft maintenance records and time-in-service totals once the inspection is signed off

Annual Inspection

Confirm the annual inspection is completed within the preceding 12 calendar months by a mechanic holding an Inspection AuthorizationRequired under 14 CFR 91.409 for most general aviation aircraft, regardless of hours flown.^[1] Large airplanes, turbojets, and turbine-powered aircraft instead follow one of the inspection programs described in 91.409(e)-(f).
Confirm all applicable Airworthiness Directives have been reviewed and complied with as part of the inspection
Confirm life-limited parts and components are tracked against their replacement limits
Confirm the inspection covers the scope defined in 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix D, or the aircraft’s approved progressive inspection program if one is in effect
Update the airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks with the inspection signoff and return-to-service statement

Periodic Calendar-Based Compliance

Confirm the altimeter and static system have been tested within the preceding 24 calendar months before flight under IFR
Confirm the transponder has been tested within the preceding 24 calendar months
Confirm the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) has been inspected within the preceding 12 calendar months for installation, battery condition, and operation
Replace or recharge the ELT battery per the manufacturer’s schedule, or after any use of the ELT in an actual emergency or more than one cumulative hour of use

Airworthiness Directive (AD) Compliance

Review the FAA’s Airworthiness Directive database for any new or amended AD applicable to the aircraft’s specific make, model, and installed equipmentADs are issued under 14 CFR Part 39 and are mandatory — unlike a manufacturer’s service bulletin, an aircraft is not legally airworthy until an applicable AD is complied with or an FAA-approved alternative method of compliance is used.^[3]
Confirm each applicable AD’s required action — one-time, recurring inspection, or life-limit replacement — and its compliance due date or interval are logged against the aircraft and the specific affected component
Schedule each recurring AD for its next due date or interval rather than treating it as closed out after the first compliance
Confirm proof of compliance — mechanic signoff, parts installed, or test results — is recorded in the aircraft’s permanent maintenance records

Note: This checklist is a general reference for tracking aircraft maintenance scheduling and compliance — it is not a substitute for the aircraft’s FAA-approved maintenance program, the manufacturer’s Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, or the judgment of a certificated mechanic or Inspection Authorization holder. Aircraft maintenance is federally regulated; most of the work described here must be performed or approved by appropriately certificated personnel. See the full disclaimer below before using or adapting these recommendations.

What Is an Aircraft Preventive Maintenance Checklist?

An aircraft preventive maintenance checklist is a documented set of inspection, service, and recordkeeping tasks organized around how FAA regulations actually structure aircraft maintenance — not just by equipment system, but by who is allowed to perform the work and on what schedule. That includes the narrow set of tasks an owner-pilot can legally perform directly, hour-based service tied to time in service, calendar-based inspections tied to specific regulations, and Airworthiness Directive compliance, which has its own tracking requirements separate from routine maintenance.

Two clocks run at once on every aircraft: accumulated hours in service and calendar time. A 100-hour inspection is tracked by hours; an annual inspection, altimeter/static check, transponder check, and ELT inspection are tracked by calendar months regardless of how much the aircraft has flown. A maintenance tracking system that only watches one clock will eventually miss the other.

Most items on this checklist require a certificated mechanic (A&P) or, for the annual inspection, a mechanic holding an Inspection Authorization (IA). The Owner-Performed Preventive Maintenance section below is the one group of tasks an owner-pilot can legally complete and sign off directly, under 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A.

Key Inspection Types to Track

Preflight & Squawk Log: Pilot walkaround and discrepancy logging before each flight — the entry point into the maintenance process.

Owner-Performed Preventive Maintenance: The specific task list in Part 43 Appendix A a certificated pilot may perform and sign off.

Hour-Based Service: Oil and filter changes, induction filter service, and lubrication tied to time in service.

100-Hour & Annual Inspections: Required inspections performed by a certificated mechanic (100-hour) or an IA holder (annual).

Periodic Calendar Compliance: Altimeter/static, transponder, and ELT checks tied to fixed calendar intervals.

Airworthiness Directive Compliance: Mandatory corrective actions under 14 CFR Part 39, tracked separately from routine maintenance.

Safety Considerations for Aircraft Maintenance

Aircraft maintenance combines federal regulatory requirements with real physical hazards — a few points apply across most operations:

Airworthiness is a legal state, not just a safety preference. An aircraft with a lapsed inspection or an unresolved Airworthiness Directive is not legally airworthy, regardless of how it appears to be running — treat compliance tracking with the same seriousness as the physical work itself.

Most work requires certificated personnel. Outside the narrow Part 43 Appendix A task list, maintenance, repairs, and inspection signoffs must be performed by a certificated mechanic or Inspection Authorization holder. Performing or signing off work outside what’s legally permitted can affect both airworthiness and insurance coverage.

Rotating propellers and running engines are high-energy hazards. Treat any propeller as if it could start, and follow the aircraft’s engine-start and ground-handling procedures during any inspection or maintenance activity performed near the aircraft.

Fuel, hydraulic fluid, and battery servicing involve hazardous materials. Handle fuel and solvents away from ignition sources, and treat battery acid and hydraulic fluid as skin and eye hazards.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The right PPE depends on the specific task and the facility’s own safety program, but most aircraft maintenance-adjacent work calls for some combination of the following:

Eye Protection

Safety glasses for any task involving fuel, hydraulic fluid, battery servicing, or debris.

Hand Protection

Chemical-resistant gloves when handling fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid, or battery electrolyte.

Hearing Protection

Hearing protection around running engines or on an active ramp.

High-Visibility Clothing

High-visibility clothing when working on an active ramp or near taxiing aircraft.

Common Aircraft Maintenance Tracking Mistakes

Tracking hours but not calendar time, or the reverse

An annual inspection, transponder check, and ELT inspection are due on a calendar, not an hour meter — an aircraft that barely flies can still fall out of compliance.

Treating an Airworthiness Directive as a one-time task

Many ADs are recurring — closing one out after the first compliance and never scheduling the next interval is a common way operators lose track of a mandatory requirement.

Performing work outside the owner-performed preventive maintenance list

Part 43 Appendix A is a specific, limited list — work outside it requires a certificated mechanic, even if the task seems simple.

Logging preventive maintenance incompletely

Owner-performed work must be logged with a description of the work, the date, the certificate exercised, and a signature — a task done correctly but logged incompletely can still leave the aircraft without a valid return-to-service entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an aircraft preventive maintenance checklist?

An aircraft preventive maintenance checklist is a documented set of inspection, service, and recordkeeping tasks organized by who may perform the work and on what schedule — owner-performed preventive maintenance, hour-based service, required inspections, calendar-based compliance checks, and Airworthiness Directive tracking.

What maintenance can an aircraft owner or pilot legally perform themselves?

A certificated pilot (private pilot certificate or higher) who owns or operates the aircraft may perform and sign off the specific preventive maintenance tasks listed in 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A — tasks like tire and wheel servicing, spark plug cleaning, oil changes, and light bulb replacement. Work outside that list requires a certificated mechanic.

What’s the difference between a 100-hour inspection and an annual inspection?

A 100-hour inspection is required for aircraft used to carry passengers for hire or for flight instruction for hire, and can be performed and signed off by any certificated mechanic (A&P). An annual inspection is required for nearly all aircraft within every 12 calendar months and must be signed off by a mechanic holding an Inspection Authorization (IA).

How often does an aircraft need an annual inspection?

Within the preceding 12 calendar months, regardless of how many hours the aircraft flew during that period. Large airplanes, turbojets, and turbine-powered aircraft instead follow one of several approved continuous-airworthiness inspection programs.

What is an Airworthiness Directive, and is it optional?

An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is a legally enforceable FAA requirement addressing an unsafe condition found in a specific aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance design. Unlike a manufacturer’s service bulletin, an AD is mandatory — an aircraft is not legally airworthy until an applicable AD is complied with or an FAA-approved alternative method of compliance is used.

How often do the altimeter, transponder, and ELT need to be inspected?

The altimeter and static system must be tested within the preceding 24 calendar months for IFR flight, the transponder must be tested within the preceding 24 calendar months, and the emergency locator transmitter must be inspected within the preceding 12 calendar months.

How does a CMMS help with aircraft maintenance tracking?

A CMMS helps by scheduling recurring maintenance by calendar date or accumulated hours, assigning the resulting work to certificated personnel, and keeping a connected record of inspections, AD compliance actions, and completed work for each aircraft — alongside, not in place of, the aircraft’s official logbooks and FAA-required maintenance records.

How eWorkOrders CMMS Supports Aircraft Maintenance Tracking

PM Scheduling

Recurring PM schedules can be created for aircraft, ground support equipment, and airport facilities. Maintenance teams can schedule work by calendar date, meter readings, or accumulated operating hours to help keep recurring inspections and service tasks on track.

Work Assignment

PMs, inspections, repairs, and service requests can be assigned to specific maintenance personnel. Supervisors can track work status, priorities, labor, notes, and completed tasks while keeping maintenance activity organized by aircraft, equipment, or airport location.

GIS Asset Mapping

Airport operators managing aircraft, ground support equipment, and facilities across multiple hangars or locations can use GIS mapping to locate assets. Selecting an asset can provide access to its connected work orders, PM schedules, service history, and maintenance information, alongside—not in place of—official aircraft logbooks and FAA-required records.

Spare Parts Inventory

Track aviation and ground-support maintenance parts such as filters, tires, batteries, bulbs, lubricants, and other commonly stocked items. Parts can be associated with specific work orders so maintenance teams can see what was used, monitor inventory levels, and identify parts that need to be reordered.

By Janet Jaquis, Marketing Director | CMMS Software Specialist · Updated October 2026

Additional Resources

Part of the eWorkOrders Learning Center
The Ultimate Library of Maintenance Checklists
Heavy Equipment Maintenance Checklist
Air Compressor Maintenance Checklist

References

Federal Aviation Administration. 14 CFR 91.409 — Inspections.
Federal Aviation Administration. 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A — Preventive Maintenance.
Federal Aviation Administration. 14 CFR Part 39 — Airworthiness Directives.
Federal Aviation Administration. Advisory Circular 43-12A — Preventive Maintenance.

A Missed Compliance Date Can Ground an Aircraft Before a Single Part Fails

Most unscheduled aircraft downtime doesn’t start with a part failing without warning — it starts with a 100-hour inspection, an Airworthiness Directive, or a calendar-based check that slipped past its due date. eWorkOrders lets operators schedule aircraft maintenance by calendar date or accumulated hours, assign the resulting work to certificated personnel, and keep a connected record of inspections, AD compliance, and completed work for each aircraft.

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Important Disclaimer: This aircraft preventive maintenance checklist is provided by eWorkOrders as a general reference for tracking aircraft maintenance scheduling and compliance. It is not a maintenance program, an Instructions for Continued Airworthiness document, a Pilot’s Operating Handbook, or a substitute for the aircraft’s FAA-approved inspection program.

Aircraft maintenance in the United States is regulated under 14 CFR, including Parts 39, 43, and 91. Outside the specific preventive maintenance tasks listed in 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A, which a certificated pilot who owns or operates the aircraft may perform and sign off, maintenance, inspections, and approval for return to service must be performed by a certificated mechanic or, for the annual inspection, a mechanic holding an Inspection Authorization. Requirements vary by aircraft category, weight, use (private vs. for-hire), and installed equipment, and can change.

Before using this checklist, aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel should review and adapt it for the specific aircraft, using the manufacturer’s Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, the applicable type certificate data sheet, current Airworthiness Directives, and the judgment of a certificated mechanic or Inspection Authorization holder.

This checklist does not replace the aircraft’s official logbooks, FAA-required maintenance records, applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations, or the judgment of qualified, certificated personnel. Performing maintenance or approving return to service without the appropriate certification is a regulatory violation that can affect airworthiness, insurance coverage, and safety of flight.

Aircraft maintenance work can expose personnel to serious hazards, including rotating propellers, fuel and hazardous fluids, and electrical shock. Such work should only be performed by personnel who are appropriately trained, certificated, and equipped for the work.

eWorkOrders makes no representation that this checklist is complete or appropriate for any particular aircraft, operator, or regulatory environment. Responsibility for determining the appropriate maintenance activities, inspection requirements, and compliance obligations remains with the aircraft owner/operator and the certificated professionals responsible for it.