The acronym AVIATES

A= Airworthiness directives, the AD are issued by FAA, and they are normally related to safety questions regarding the airplane.

For example, if FAA has found out some problems with the rudders on Cessna 172, they will send an AD to all owners and operators of Cessna 172.


V= The VOR in the aircraft need to be checked every 30 days.


I = Inspections all aircraft need to have an annual inspection. And aircraft that are operated for hire, for example the aircraft from your flight school needs to have a 100 hours inspection.

The flight instructor might ask you this question.
Can a 100 hour inspection take the place of an annual?
The answer is not.
However an annual inspection, can take the place of a 100 hour inspection.


A = Altimeter the altimeter in the airplane need to be checked every 24 calendar months.
Here your instructor might ask you, what is a calendar month? A calendar month is, if you did the inspection of the altimeter on the 11th of May 2012, that inspection is valid until 31 May of 2014.


T = Transponder the transponder needs to be checked every 24 calendar months.


E = ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter. Every 12 calendar months.


S = Static systems. The Pito-static system needs to be inspected every 24 calendar months.