What is AAIP and when does Part 135 require it?
An Approved Aircraft Inspection Program (AAIP) is an alternative inspection program to the standard Part 91 annual + 100-hour inspection regime, approved by the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) under 14 CFR 135.419. It applies to Part 135 operations where the basic Part 91 inspection regime isn't a good fit — typically large aircraft, multi-engine turboprops, or older airframes where the manufacturer's program is too restrictive.
Smaller Part 135 operations — single-engine pistons in scheduled service — can stay on the standard 100-hour/annual regime. Multi-engine turbine and jet operators almost universally move to AAIP because it allows phased inspections (no full grounding for annuals) and operator-specific interval tuning.
AAIP manual structure
The AAIP manual is the operator-specific document defining how every aircraft in the fleet gets maintained. It typically includes: per-aircraft inspection programs (often phased into A/B/C/D checks for jets, or annual + intermediate for turboprops), interval definitions (calendar months vs flight hours vs cycles vs combinations), task lists, signoff requirements, deferred maintenance procedures, and the AD/SB compliance integration.
FSDO-approved AAIP manuals are signed by the operator's Director of Maintenance (DOM) or equivalent and the Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI). Each revision goes through PMI review.
Phased inspections — the operational advantage
Where Part 91 requires the entire annual inspection to be completed at one event, AAIP allows operators to spread inspections across the fleet's flight schedule. A phased AAIP might require 1/12 of the annual inspection content every 30 flight hours. This means the aircraft is never down for more than a few hours at a time, dramatically improving utilization.
Phased inspection compliance requires meticulous record-keeping. Software that tracks per-task compliance status, computes next-due dates per task type, and surfaces overdue phased items by aircraft is essentially mandatory — the manual tracking error rate at scale is too high.
AD + SB integration with AAIP
AAIP doesn't replace AD compliance — it integrates with it. ADs continue to apply on their own schedule (calendar or flight-hour intervals), and AAIP tasks may incorporate AD requirements when the AD action fits naturally into an inspection task. The AAIP manual must specify how AD requirements integrate with the inspection program.
Recurring ADs are particularly important to track. AviationAlley's airworthinessDirectives schema auto-computes next-compliance dates from last-compliance + recurring interval months — the same engine that drives the maintenance rollup surfaces overdue ADs alongside overdue AAIP tasks.
Deviation handling + maintenance release
When an AAIP task is missed, deferred, or completed outside its specified interval, the deviation must be documented and approved. Most operators have a Deviation Authorization process (sometimes called a Minimum Equipment List process if the deviation involves deferred items affecting airworthiness). The PMI reviews deviation patterns to ensure the operator isn't habitually deferring critical maintenance.
Software that captures every deviation event with reason, approver, scheduled make-good date, and aircraft total time at deviation is significantly easier to audit than paper-based deviation logs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does AAIP approval take?
3-9 months is typical for a first AAIP application. The PMI works through the manual section-by-section with the operator's DOM; complex multi-fleet AAIPs (e.g., a charter operator with three aircraft types) take longer. Subsequent revisions are much faster — typically 30-60 days.
Can a Part 91 operator use AAIP?
No. AAIP is specific to Part 135 (and parts of Part 121). Part 91 operators use the standard Annual + 100-hour, or a manufacturer's progressive inspection program approved under 91.409(d). Some Part 91 operators with complex aircraft use a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP) under 91.409(e).
Does AviationAlley support AAIP-specific scheduling?
Yes. The aircraftPrograms schema supports PART_135_AAIP as a first-class program type, with per-task tracking (componentLifeLimits + scheduled inspection events). Phased inspections fit cleanly because each task has its own next-due interval; the maintenance rollup surfaces what's coming due regardless of program type.
Related guides
Airworthiness Directives (ADs) — a practical compliance guide
ADs are mandatory FAA actions you must take on specific aircraft, engines, propellers, or appliances. This is the practical guide to tracking them, complying on time, and proving it during inspection.
FAR Part 117 explained: pilot duty + rest rules for Part 121 air carriers
FAR 117 is the rule that caps how much a Part 121 pilot can fly in 24-hour, 7-day, 28-day, and annual windows. This is the practical guide for chief pilots, schedulers, and crew planners.
How to set up a 14 CFR Part 142 training center
Part 142 is the FAA certificate for sim-based training centers — separate from Part 141 schools and Part 121 airlines. This is the practical guide to setting one up, from the FSDO meeting to the first NSP evaluation.