1 - Definitions of inspections and used terms:

ACT:

Anti Corrosion Treatment. The application of a corrosion prevention compound as described in the AMM.

CHG:

Change (for fluid). The action whereby any aircraft fluid is substituted by same or similar fluid.

CHK:

Check for condition. An examination to determine operational capability or physical integrity of an item.  

CIC:

Corrosion Inhibiting Compound

CLN:

Clean. A task to clean the component or part according to standard practice or specified manner.

CPCP:

Corrosion Prevention and Control Program , See MAI 59-00-00 ("basic task").

FLU:

Flushness. A check for flushness according to prescribed limits.

FPI / FPT:

Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection/Test

FUC:

Functional Check, A detail test of an item to determine if it operates within prescribed limits of movement, flow, temperature, pressure etc. Note: For a functional check the item has to remain installed in the aircraft. A functional check may also be applied on a system or a subsystem. It will require check of the specified limits according to the applicable manuals.

GVC:

General Visual Check. A visual examination of an internal or exterior area (zone), to detect obvious unsatisfactory conditions damage, failures, irregularities/discrepancies in visible structure, systems and powerplant installations or assemblies.

This visual check includes all electrical wiring, hydraulic tubing, pneumatic ducting, components and fittings, brackets, etc., associated with systems as well as all visible structure which is contained in the zone. The inspection tasks do not provide a summation of all items to be inspected within each zone.

This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels, doors and/or use of standard mirror. Stands, ladders or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.

GVCE:

General Visual Check External (structures only). The general visual check external consists of a visual structural inspection of described items using workstands to gain proximity but without detaching any parts.

GVCI:

General Visual Check Internal (structures only). The general visual check Internal consists of a visual structural inspection of described internal items through described access doors as far as visible without detaching any additional parts.

HFEC:

High Frequency Eddy Current Inspection. See NDT manual D6-37239 part 6.

LFEC:

Low Frequency Eddy Current Inspection. See NDT manual D6-37239 part 6.

LUB:

Lubrication. Any act of lubricating or servicing an item for the purpose of maintaining its inherent design operating capabilities.

OPC:

Operational Check. A check to determine that a system or component is operating in a normal and intended manner. Note: Some examples of the use of an operation check are: To determine freedom of movement In a control system, abnormal noise or vibration in engines, accessories, pumps, turbines, actuators or motors. Appropriate instructions In the maintenance manual shall be followed. It does not require specified tolerances.

REM:

Remove for. The removal of a component for BEC (Bench Check), Overhaul, Shopvlsit or Life Limit.

RPL:

Replace (for items). The action whereby an Item not being a component is removed and another item is Installed In its place for any reason.

SPC:

Special Check. A special check covers all those tasks that cannot be allocated to any other check definitions. The content of the task Is described and defined under the column description. It may refer to the Maintenance Manual.

SVC:

Service. To add fluids to or in reservoirs until the specified level (full), or until it overflows as intended to do so.

TVC:

Thorough Visual Check. A thorough visual examination for condition of systems and components using workstands as required and concentrated lighting in area being inspected. This type of check applies to specified parts, systems and their components, but also to their mounting brackets, consoles, attachment fittings, mechanical controls, electrical wiring, bonding, etc. where applicable.

The inspection shall disclose discrepancies as related to:

(a) Proper attachment, safety wiring, cotter pins, loose or missing fasteners, loose plumbing or electrical connections or linkage, proper alignment and clearance.

(b) Damage, cracks, wrinkles, dents, scratches, bulges, chafing, rubbing, presence of fluid and air leakage,  wear, corrosion, rust, evidence of overheating (strange color, strange odor etc.), protactive coating or finish, cleanliness and general appearance.

Note:Proximity to the specified item shall permit physical contact if required to determine condition. Removal of detachable parts to gain visual access if required. Wiping or cleaning may be required in areas susceptible to problems. The cleaning process must have no detrimental effect on equipment (no wash-away of grease or protecti^ve coating, no ingestion of dirt). Use aids like magnifying glass and mirror as required.

TVCE:

Thorough Visual Check External (structures only)

(a) For External Items: A thorough visual inspection of external structural items using concentrated lighting and workstands (inspections looking down from cherry pickers are not considered adequate) to gain proximity and looking for detailed condition, loose or missing attachments, cracks, wrinkles, distortions, flaking paints and misalignments, etc.

(b) For Internal Items with external detectability: A thorough visual inspection of external structural items. This external inspection is directed by external evidence of internal damages, such as wrapage, wrinkled/bulged/dented or canned skin, loose or missing fasteners, fluid or air stains, etc. When such evidence is found, thorough and extensive internal inspection has to be performed to determine if an internal damage exists. In all cases the follow-up internal inspection procedure are mentioned on the (external inspection) SIM page.  Note: Proximity to the specific item permits physical contact. Removal of (detachable) parts to gain visual access may be required. Wiping or cleaning may be required in areas susceptible to problems. The cleaning process must have no detrimental effect on equipment. Use of aids, like magnifying glass and mirror may be required.

TVCI:

 Thourough Visual Check Internal (structures only). A thorough visual check Internal of Internal structural items using concentrated lighting. Parts that do not allow access to the inspection items have to be removed. Inspection items that cannot be fully examined in installed position have to be removed also for correct inspection. Note: Whenever a thorough visual inspection of internal structural Items is specified, all system installations in the vicinity of the specific structural item shall receive a thorough visual check. Proximity to the specified item shall permit physical contact to determine item condition. Removal of detachable parts to gain access may be necessary.

UTI:

Ultrasonic Inspection, See NDT manual D6-37239 part 4.

XRAY:

X-Ray Inspection, See NDT manual D6-37239 part 2.

WAC:

Walk Around Check. A visual check from ground level for obvious discrepancies. A Zonal Walk Around Check (ZWAC) means, a WAC of or in a particular zone.

        3 - Critical tasks, RII, Duplicate inspections, ETOPS: Where can i find them?

        4 - Cleaning before inspection. An explanation.

Some extra information concerning  cleaning for inspection:

Cleaning before an inspection is only necessary if the present dirt and/or too thick applied corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) makes the inspection difficulty or impossible. In AMM 59 and on the task cards you read in nearly all cases: "clean if necessary". CIC is made transparent on purpose to make inspection possible without removing it.  There are several reasons why you want to reduce the cleaning task to an absolute minimum. Too much use of water and cleaningsolvents has a negative influence on structure and systems. The more maintenance activities, the presence of persons and implementation of (cleaning) operations, the larger the chance on negative impact. After cleaning you must apply CIC again. That is a precise job where means of protection must be used. There is again a chance of damaging components, for example drainvalves in the lower lobe and heat insulation blankets. If applicable you must re-lubricate afterwards. Because that's extra on top of the normal lubrication-cycle this task happens extra times. Beside aforesaid technical reasons there are also still economic reasons. Superfluous operations cost money and extend the groundtime. If you do inspections ask yourself the if it is always really necessary to clean. Take into account thereby the above called effects.

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