Federal Aviation Regulations
14 CFR § 91.409 — Inspections
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).
The regulation, in full
Sec. 91.409 Inspections.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person
may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months,
it has had--
(1) An annual inspection in accordance with part 43 of this chapter
and has been approved for return to service by a person authorized byWhat this means for the knowledge test
Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.
To be airworthy, an aircraft must have current required inspections. An annual inspection is required within the preceding 12 calendar months for all aircraft. An aircraft operated for hire, or used to give flight instruction for hire, must also have a 100-hour inspection. The 100-hour limit may be exceeded by up to 10 hours only to reach a place where the inspection can be done, and the overflown time is deducted from the next interval.
14 CFR 91.409 / 91.417
Lessons that cover § 91.409
Practice questions on § 91.409 (2)
Within what period must an aircraft have had an annual inspection to be airworthy?
Answer The preceding 12 calendar months
All aircraft require an annual inspection within the preceding 12 calendar months to be airworthy.
When is a 100-hour inspection required?
Answer For aircraft operated for hire or used to give flight instruction for hire
A 100-hour inspection is required for aircraft operated for hire and for aircraft used to give flight instruction for hire; the annual still applies as well.