Who is authorized to perform an annual inspection on an aircraft?

• A. A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA)
• B. Private pilot
• C. Instrument-rated pilot
• D. A mechanic without IA

Answer: (A)

Annual inspections must be performed and signed off by an A&P mechanic who holds Inspection Authorization (IA). The IA credential authorizes the holder to oversee and approve the aircraft’s return to service after completing the annual, ensuring the inspection meets the regulatory standards and the airplane remains airworthy. This is a higher level of authority than routine maintenance or a 100-hour check, and it’s specifically required because the annual covers a broad set of systems and compliance checks.

A private pilot or an instrument-rated pilot do not have maintenance signing authority, so they cannot certify an aircraft as airworthy after an annual. A mechanic without IA may perform many maintenance tasks, but they cannot legally sign off a completed annual. In some cases the inspection can be signed off by an IA or by an FAA designated inspector, but the essential point is that the annual requires an IA to authorize the return to service.