Compliance & Inspections Guide
Master Airworthiness Directive (AD) compliance tracking and inspection management to keep your aircraft legal and airworthy.
Airworthiness Directive (AD) Compliance
Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are regulations issued by the FAA that require specific actions to address unsafe conditions in aircraft, engines, propellers, or appliances. Compliance is mandatory for airworthiness.
Key Features of PilotSync AD Tracking:
- • Dual Interval Support: Tracks both calendar time AND flight hours
- • Smart Calculations: "Every 12 months OR 100 hours, whichever comes first"
- • Automatic Applicability: AI determines which ADs apply to your aircraft
- • Next Due Tracking: Always know when compliance is due
- AD Assignment
PilotSync automatically identifies applicable ADs based on your aircraft specifications. You can also manually add specific ADs.
- Compliance Recording
When you complete an AD, record the compliance date, aircraft hours, method used, and who performed the work.
- Automatic Calculations
The system automatically calculates the next compliance due date/hours based on the AD's requirements.
- Ongoing Monitoring
Dashboard alerts and notifications keep you informed of approaching compliance deadlines.
Dual Interval Tracking
How It Works
Many ADs require compliance at regular intervals with dual criteria. PilotSync tracks both calendar time and flight hours simultaneously, alerting you when either threshold approaches.
Example: AD 2019-12-05
"Inspect elevator control cables every 24 months OR 200 flight hours, whichever occurs first"
Scenario A: Low Usage Aircraft
Flies 50 hours/year → compliance due every 24 months (calendar limit reached first)
Scenario B: High Usage Aircraft
Flies 150+ hours/year → compliance due every 200 hours (flight time limit reached first)
Aircraft Inspections
ANNUALAnnual Inspection
Required every 12 calendar months for most general aviation aircraft.
14 CFR 91.409(a) - Must be performed by A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA)
100 HOUR100-Hour Inspection
Required every 100 hours of flight time for aircraft used for hire or flight training.
14 CFR 91.409(b) - Can be performed by A&P mechanic without IA
VORVOR Inspection
Required every 30 days for VOR navigation equipment if used for IFR flight.
14 CFR 91.171 - Can be performed by pilot or appropriately rated person
TRANSPONDERTransponder/Altitude Encoder
Required every 24 calendar months for transponder and altitude encoding equipment.
14 CFR 91.413 - Must be performed by appropriately rated repair station or person
STATICStatic System/Altimeter
Required every 24 calendar months for static pressure system and altimeter used for IFR flight.
14 CFR 91.411 - Must be performed by appropriately rated repair station or person
Setting Up Inspections
- Navigate to Aircraft Inspections
Go to your aircraft detail page and select the "Inspections" tab.
- Add New Inspection
Click "Add Inspection" and select the type (Annual, 100-hour, VOR, etc.).
- Set Last Completed Information
Enter when the inspection was last completed:
- • Date of last inspection
- • Aircraft hours at time of inspection
- • Who performed the inspection
- • Any relevant documentation
- Configure Intervals
Set how often the inspection is required (e.g., every 12 months, every 100 hours).
- Review Calculated Due Dates
PilotSync automatically calculates when the inspection is next due based on your settings.
Understanding Compliance Status
Compliance is up to date. Next due date/hours are in the future with adequate time remaining.
Compliance deadline is approaching (typically within 30 days or 10 flight hours). Schedule work soon.
Compliance deadline has passed. Aircraft may not be legal to fly. Address immediately.
AD does not apply to this specific aircraft based on its specifications, serial numbers, or other criteria.
Recording AD Compliance
- Access AD Compliance
Go to your aircraft → AD Compliance tab, then click on the specific AD you've completed.
- Record Compliance Details
Required Information
- • Date work was completed
- • Aircraft hours at completion
- • Compliance method used
- • Who performed the work
Optional Details
- • Work order or invoice number
- • Parts used or replaced
- • Supporting documentation
- • Additional notes
- Verify Automatic Calculations
Review the automatically calculated next due date and hours. Adjust if needed based on specific AD requirements.
Common Compliance Methods
Inspection
Visual or detailed inspection of specified components. Most common method for recurring ADs.
Replacement
Complete replacement of affected component with new or overhauled part meeting current standards.
Modification
Installation of kit or modification to address the unsafe condition. Often a one-time compliance.
Alternative Method
FAA-approved Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) that achieves equivalent safety.
Appliance-Based Compliance
Some ADs apply specifically to engines, propellers, or other appliances rather than the airframe. PilotSync tracks these separately using appliance-specific time tracking.
Appliance Time Tracking
- • Engine Time: Tracked separately from aircraft time
- • Propeller Time: May differ from engine time if prop was replaced
- • Component Hours: Individual tracking for specific equipment
- • Cycle Counts: For components with cycle-based limits
Example: Engine AD Compliance
An AD might require inspection of engine cylinders every 400 hours of engine operation. If your engine was replaced or overhauled, its time tracking starts fresh while the airframe continues accumulating total time.