Pilots are supposed to do a preflight inspection of the aircraft before each and every flight. For the most part, all pilots adhere to this. Especially, for the first flight of the day. An abbreviated inspection can be done for subsequent flights that same day called a through-flight inspection.

Yes, airplanes undergo a rigorous and multi-layered inspection schedule mandated by aviation authorities like the FAA or EASA. These range from "Pre-flight Checks" conducted by pilots and technicians before every single takeoff to "A Checks" performed every 500–800 flight hours. More intensive are the "C Checks" (every 2 years), where much of the plane is disassembled for inspection, and the "D Check" (every 6–10 years), also known as a "heavy maintenance visit." During a D Check, the entire aircraft is essentially taken apart, the paint is stripped to check for hull tension and corrosion, and every component is tested or replaced. This ensures that even an aircraft that is 20 years old is maintained to a standard of safety equivalent to a brand-new plane.