What is Inspector Qualification?
An inspector qualification is the training and competence that a person must have before they inspect an aerodrome.
Who sets the rule
Aerodrome rules put the duty on the aerodrome operator. The operator trains its own inspection personnel and keeps the records.
United States
14 CFR 139.327(b)(3) requires an airport with a Part 139 certificate to have procedures that ensure qualified personnel perform the inspections. The personnel must get initial and recurrent instruction every 12 consecutive calendar months in at least these areas:
- airport familiarization, including signs, marking and lighting
- the airport emergency plan
- NOTAM notification procedures
- procedures for pedestrians and ground vehicles in movement areas and safety areas
- discrepancy reporting procedures
The airport keeps the training records for 24 consecutive calendar months. Part 139 requires an inspection daily, unless the Airport Certification Manual says otherwise.
AC 150/5200-18D, dated 27 September 2022, replaces AC 150/5200-18C. It says that inspectors need a general knowledge of the Airport Certification Manual. They also need training at the airport where they work. They must have a two-way radio, and their vehicle needs a beacon for night and low-visibility inspections.
European Union
ADR.OR.D.017 requires the aerodrome operator to run a training programme for its personnel. The programme includes initial, recurrent, refresher and continuation training. A person must finish the initial training before they work unattended. Recurrent training and proficiency checks must happen at intervals of 24 months at most.
AMC2 ADR.OPS.B.015(d) lists ten training areas for the personnel who inspect the movement area. The list includes aerodrome inspection procedures and techniques, and the reporting of inspection results. An AMC is a means of compliance and not a rule.
EASA also sets rules for the authority’s own aerodrome inspectors. They get a qualification statement that lists their privileges. They must do at least two inspections in the previous 12 months to remain qualified.
ICAO
Annex 14 Volume I says that personnel who assess and report runway surface conditions shall be trained and competent. It refers to PANS-Aerodromes (Doc 9981) for training programmes and competence checks.
Other infrastructure
Bridge inspection uses a different model. 23 CFR 650.309 sets education and experience options for a team leader. It also requires FHWA-approved comprehensive training with a score of 70% or higher.
Drone data
AC 150/5200-18D does not mention unmanned aircraft. This page therefore makes no claim about how drone data counts toward a self-inspection. The aerodrome operator decides who may inspect, and which data its inspection program accepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What training does a Part 139 self-inspector need?
- The airport must train the inspector under 14 CFR 139.303 and give initial and recurrent instruction every 12 consecutive calendar months. The instruction must cover at least five areas. The first is airport familiarization, including signs, marking and lighting. The others are the airport emergency plan, NOTAM notification, pedestrian and vehicle procedures in movement areas and safety areas, and discrepancy reporting. The airport keeps the training records for 24 consecutive calendar months.
- What does EASA require for aerodrome inspection personnel?
- The aerodrome operator must run a training programme for its personnel under ADR.OR.D.017. Recurrent training and proficiency checks must happen at intervals of 24 months at most. AMC2 ADR.OPS.B.015(d) lists at least ten training areas for personnel who inspect the movement area. These include aerodrome inspection procedures and techniques and the reporting of results. An AMC is a means of compliance, not a rule.
- How does a bridge inspector qualify?
- A bridge inspector follows 23 CFR 650.309, which sets education and experience paths plus FHWA-approved comprehensive training. A team leader must meet one of four options. A registered professional engineer needs 6 months of bridge inspection experience. Other options need 5 years of experience, or a degree plus 2 or 4 years. All team leaders must complete the training and score at least 70% on its assessment.
References
- ecfr-14-139-327
- 14 CFR 139.327, Self-inspection program US Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- ecfr-14-139-303
- 14 CFR 139.303, Personnel US Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- faa-ac-150-5200-18d
- AC 150/5200-18D, Airport Safety Self-Inspection FAA
- easa-ear-aerodromes
- Easy Access Rules for Aerodromes (Regulation (EU) No 139/2014), March 2026 EASA
- icao-annex-14-vol-i
- Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Volume I, Aerodrome Design and Operations, 9th edition ICAO
- ecfr-23-650-309
- 23 CFR 650.309, Qualifications of personnel US Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
This is a reference entry. TarmacView provides drone inspection services and doesn't sell the equipment or materials described in this glossary.
