Definition
A complete inspection of an aircraft and its engine required by Federal Aviation Regulations every twelve calendar months. It must be performed by a certificated airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic who holds an Inspection Authorization (IA), or by an appropriately rated repair station or the aircraft manufacturer. Without a current annual inspection, the aircraft is not legally airworthy and may not be flown except under a special ferry permit.
Plain English
A full once-a-year check-up of the aircraft, signed off by a specially authorized mechanic. If it has expired, the aircraft cannot legally fly.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance records, pre-purchase checks, rental aircraft paperwork, and questions about whether an aircraft is legal to fly.
Derivation
From Latin annus, meaning 'year.' The inspection takes its name directly from its required twelve-month interval.
Why Pilots Care
The aircraft cannot be flown legally or considered airworthy until the inspection is completed and signed off.
Intuition Check
Annual sounds like it means simply once every 365 days. In FAA use, it means the aircraft must have had the inspection within the preceding 12 calendar months, with the time limit based on months on the calendar.
Example Sentence 1
Before accepting the rental aircraft, the pilot checked the logbook and confirmed the annual inspection was still current.
Example Sentence 2
Once the annual inspection was signed off, the pilot was cleared to fly the airplane cross-country.