Definition
An FAA-approved aircraft inspection program in which the work normally done in a single annual or 100-hour inspection is broken into smaller segments performed at scheduled intervals throughout the year. Each segment covers a specific portion of the aircraft, and when all segments are completed within the prescribed cycle, the aircraft is considered to have received a complete inspection equivalent to the annual.
Plain English
Instead of having the whole aircraft inspected once a year in one big event, the inspection is divided into smaller pieces and done a bit at a time on a set schedule. By the end of the cycle, the entire aircraft has been checked.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance records, inspection status checks, and discussions about whether an aircraft is legal and ready to fly.
Derivation
From Latin progressus, meaning 'a going forward' or 'advance.' The inspection moves forward through the aircraft section by section over time, rather than all at once.
Why Pilots Care
It gives owners more scheduling flexibility and keeps the aircraft in service longer between full inspections.
Intuition Check
Progressive does not mean “better” or “more advanced” here. It means the inspection is completed in planned stages over time.
Example Sentence 1
The flight school keeps its training fleet on a progressive inspection program so individual aircraft are never out of service for long.
Example Sentence 2
Phase two of the progressive inspection included the engine compartment and landing gear.