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Aircraft Visual Inspection


Figure: Boeing 777 aircraft
Commercial aircrafts are frequently inspected visually. There is a primary inspection called "walk around check" both in the line and the base, transit checks, daily check, weekly check, A check, B check etc…

 Line is the more about the quick checks while aircraft is in the park or in between flights.


Base is mostly the hanger, where hard checks, repairs take place.

 A qualified engineer walk around the aircraft and inspect structural items visually. Engine is also checked during the walk around checks. There engineer watches for oil leaks, structural damages in the engine, inlet of the engine for composite parts fixtures to the structure, fan/first stages of the compressor, last stages of the turbine for deterioration or damages , or any unusual changes of the engine.
In this example shows how, engineer/Pilot carry on a walk around inspection of a Boeing 777 aircraft.
Figure: Walk around inspection of a Boeing 777
1. Left Mid Fuselage
  • Pack inlet and exhaust
  • Negative pressure relief vents
  • Wing illumination light
  • Static ports
  • Positive pressure relief valves
  • Forward outflow valve
  • Crew oxygen thermal discharge disc 
2. Left Forward Nose
  • L pitot probe
  • L ice detector probe
  • TAT probe
  • L AOA probe
3. Nose Section/Gear Area
  • Windshield wipers
  • Radome and latches
  • Forward access door
  • Nose gear strut extension
  • Nose down lock pin
  • Nose wheel tires
  • Steering cables
  • Main E & E access door
  • APU control panel
  • Steering safety pin
4. Right Forward Nose
  • Center pitot probe
  • Right ice detector
  • Right pitot probe
  • Right AOA probe
  • External power door
5. Right Mid Fuselage
  • Forward cargo door
  • Static ports
  • Pack air inlets and outlets
  • Wing illumination light
6. Right Wing Area and Engine
  • Landing light
  • Taxi and turnoff light
  • Engine strut
  • Thrust reverser and sleeve
  • EEC static ports
  • Cowlings and fasteners
  • Fan blades
  • PT 2 probe
  • Reverser blocker doors
  • AFT fan blades
  • Wing under surface area
  • Leading edge slats and flaps
  • Fueling adapter panel
  • Fuel vent scoop
  • Navigation lights
  • Strobe light
  • Static discharge wicks
  • Aileron and flaperon
  • Fuel jettison
  • Inboard and outboard flaps and flap drives
7. Right Main Gear
  • Wheels and tires
  • Landing gear strut extension
  • Down lock braces
  • Down lock safety pin
  • Gear doors - closed
  • Gear uplatch
  • Hydraulic leaks
8. Right AFT Fuselage
  • RAT door
  • Drain mast for APU fuel line shroud and center wing dry bay
  • AFT cargo door
  • Bulk cargo door
  • Static ports
9. Tail Area
  • Lower fuselage structure and tail strike sensor
  • Static ports
  • APU inlet door
  • APU oil/fuel drain
  • APU services door
  • Vertical/horizontal surfaces
  • Static discharge wicks
  • Top surfaces of both wings and tail
  • APU exhaust
  • Strobe light
10. Left AFT Fuselage
  • AFT outflow valve
  • Water drains, service doors, waste vents
  • Air demand pump exhausts (2)
11. Left Main Gear
  • Hydraulic leaks
  • Gear uplatch
  • Gear doors - closed
  • Down lock safety pin
  • Down lock braces
  • Landing gear strut 
  • Wheels and tires
12. Left Wing Area and EngineInboard and outboard flaps and flap drives
  • Inboard and outboard flaps and flap drives
  • Fuel jettison nozzle
  • Aileron and flaperon
  • Static discharge wicks
  • Strobe light
  • Navigation lights
  • Fuel vent scoop
  • Fueling adapter/control panel
  • Leading edge slats and flaps
  • Wing under surface area
  • AFT fan blades
  • Reverser blocker doors
  • PT 2 probe
  • Fan blades
  • Cowlings and fasteners
  • EEC static ports
  • Thrust reverser and sleeve
  • Engine strut
  • Taxi and turnoff light
  • Landing light
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