A commercial pilot is conducting a flight for compensation or hire. The aircraft requires an annual inspection. When is the earliest the next annual inspection can be completed to maintain continuous airworthiness?
- AWithin the 60 days preceding the due date.
- BAnytime within the 12 calendar months preceding the due date.
- CNo earlier than the start of the 12th calendar month after the last annual.
- DWithin the 30 days preceding the due date.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Anytime within the 12 calendar months preceding the due date.
According to 14 CFR 91.409(a), an annual inspection must be completed within the preceding 12 calendar months. This means it can be completed at any time within the 12 calendar months before the current annual inspection is due. There is no 'grace period' or specific window like 30 or 60 days for an annual to be performed early; performing it anytime within the preceding 12 calendar months simply resets the 12-month clock.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect; there is no 60-day window for annuals.
- C. This is incorrect; an annual can be performed at any point within the preceding 12 calendar months, not just at the end.
- D. This is incorrect; there is no 30-day window for annuals.
Annual Inspection Timing
An annual inspection must be completed within the preceding 12 calendar months. It can be performed at any time within this 12-month period, and its completion date resets the next 12-calendar-month due period.
- Required every 12 calendar months.
- No specific 'early' window like 100-hour inspections.
- Performing it early simply starts a new 12-month cycle from that date.
Memory trick: Annual inspections are like birthdays; you get a new 12-month clock from the day you celebrate.