How do I prepare my airplane for an annual inspection?
Updated · Wingman AeroCare, KFNL
Short answer: Book the annual a few weeks before it is due, gather all logbooks and paperwork (airframe, engine, propeller, AD records, Form 337s, STCs, weight and balance), write a complete squawk list, fly the aircraft shortly before drop-off so the engine is warm and any issues are fresh, and remove personal items from the cabin and baggage area. Good preparation shortens downtime and lowers the bill, because the shop spends less time searching and more time inspecting.
Step 1: Schedule early
The annual is due by the end of the 12th calendar month after your last one (14 CFR 91.409(a)). Book several weeks ahead, especially before spring when many owners prepare for flying season. Scheduling early in your due month leaves room for repairs and parts without risking a lapse.
Step 2: Gather the records
Records review is a required part of the annual, and disorganized records cost labor hours. Bring:
- Airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks, all volumes, not just the current one.
- AD status record. Owners are required to keep the current status of applicable ADs, including the method of compliance and next-due time for recurring ADs (14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v)).
- Form 337s for major repairs and alterations, and STC documentation for installed modifications.
- Current weight and balance and equipment list.
- Avionics records, including the dates of the last transponder check (14 CFR 91.413) and, if you fly IFR, the pitot-static and altimeter check (14 CFR 91.411).
- ELT battery expiration date and last ELT inspection (14 CFR 91.207).
- The POH or AFM and any supplements for installed equipment.
Also confirm your aircraft registration is current; the FAA registration certificate has an expiration date printed on it.
Step 3: Write a complete squawk list
Write down everything you have noticed, even small things:
- Engine roughness, high oil consumption, oil leaks, hard starting, rising CHTs on one cylinder.
- Radios, autopilot, or avionics behaving oddly.
- Brakes pulling, soft pedals, shimmy, tire wear.
- Door seals, window cracks, interior items, lights.
- Anything that "has always done that."
Send the list before drop-off if possible. It helps the shop identify parts that may need ordering early.
Step 4: Fly it before you drop it off
A short flight in the days before the inspection helps:
- A warm engine gives more meaningful compression readings.
- Oil drained warm carries suspended contaminants for oil analysis.
- Fresh squawks get noticed and written down.
Step 5: Prepare the aircraft
- Remove personal items, headsets, charts, and anything in the baggage compartment.
- Clean out the cabin so interior panels and seats can come out efficiently.
- Leave all keys, including for the cabin, ignition, and any locking fuel caps.
- Ask the shop about fuel load; some work is easier with lower fuel, and some shops have a preference.
Step 6: Decide on your approval approach
Before the inspection starts, decide:
- How you want to receive and approve the estimate.
- Which kinds of findings you already know you will approve (for example, every Airworthy item), so you can review, approve, and pay the day the estimate arrives. Parts are ordered only after approval and payment.
- Which optional upgrades you might bundle with the annual while the aircraft is already open, such as avionics work or cosmetic fixes.
The fastest annuals happen when owners respond to findings the same day.
Step 7: Make sure you can be reached
Give the shop your best phone and email for the duration. A day spent waiting for an approval is a day the aircraft sits.
Quick checklist
| Item | Done |
|---|---|
| Annual booked with a buffer before due date | |
| All logbooks (airframe, engine, prop) together | |
| AD status list current | |
| Form 337s and STC paperwork located | |
| Weight and balance and equipment list | |
| Squawk list written and sent | |
| Aircraft flown recently | |
| Cabin and baggage area emptied | |
| Keys delivered | |
| Approval plan decided |
How Wingman handles it
Wingman AeroCare typically books annuals a few weeks ahead; call (970) 292-0719 or email hello@wingmanaerocare.com for the next open slot, and send your squawk list when you book. Typical turnaround is 4-7 business days when there are no major findings and parts are available. Findings arrive on an online estimate with photos and video that you can approve item by item, so the approval step does not slow you down. Members of our Managed Maintenance Program get AD/SB tracking to the tail number and priority scheduling, which takes most of this checklist off your plate. See annual inspections for more.