Inspection programs include scheduled inspection items to be performed at defined intervals to check for hidden damage and continued serviceability in order to determine the condition of the aircraft and its components (airframe, engines, propellers, rotors, appliances, survival equipment, and emergency equipment).

In the "High-Fidelity" world of aviation, an inspection is a formal, mandatory process of examining an aircraft's components and systems to ensure they meet airworthiness standards set by regulators like the FAA or CAA. There are several high-fidelity tiers: Pre-flight inspections are done by the pilot before every takeoff; 100-hour inspections are required for aircraft used for hire or flight instruction; and Annual inspections are a comprehensive "High-Fidelity" deep dive into every nut, bolt, and system of the plane, which must be performed by a mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA). Large commercial jets follow a "High-Fidelity" continuous maintenance program involving "A, B, C, and D checks," where a D Check is a complete "Heavy Maintenance Visit" that involves stripping the entire plane down to its skeleton for X-ray structural testing. An inspection "sign-off" in the aircraft's logbook is a high-fidelity legal document certifying that the plane is safe to fly in 2026.