Aircraft annual inspection due date, 12 calendar months.

What the rule says

14 CFR 91.409(a): "no person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had an annual inspection in accordance with part 43 ... and has been approved for return to service by a person authorized by 43.7," or an inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate under part 21. The count is by calendar month: an annual completed in February 2026 is good through February 28, 2027.

The 100-hour inspection

91.409(b) adds that no person may operate an aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) for hire, and no person may give flight instruction for hire in an aircraft that person provides, unless within the preceding 100 hours of time in service the aircraft has received an annual or 100-hour inspection. "The 100-hour limitation may be exceeded by not more than 10 hours while en route to reach a place where the inspection can be done. The excess time ... must be included in computing the next 100 hours of time in service." Private flying for no hire is not subject to the 100-hour limit.

Who it does not apply to

91.409(c) says paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to an aircraft with a special flight permit, a current experimental airworthiness certificate, a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category or a provisional airworthiness certificate; aircraft on an approved inspection program under part 125 or 135; aircraft under the large-airplane, turbojet or turboprop multiengine and turbine rotorcraft requirements of paragraphs (d) or (e); and turbine-powered rotorcraft when the operator elects inspection under (e). Progressive inspection under (d) is a separate program with its own written approval.

An annual cannot be replaced by a 100-hour

No inspection performed under paragraph (b) may be substituted for the annual unless it is performed by a person authorized to perform annual inspections and entered as an "annual" in the maintenance records.

Worked example

Annual completed February 14, 2026. The 12th calendar month after February 2026 is February 2027, so the last day is February 28, 2027. A flight on March 5, 2027 needs a new annual first. A flight instructor giving paid instruction in an aircraft the instructor provides at 108 hours since the last inspection is over 100 hours, and only the 10-hour en route allowance, to get to the inspection, applies.

FAQ

How long is an aircraft annual inspection good for?

Within the preceding 12 calendar months, so through the end of the 12th calendar month after the inspection month.

Does the annual expire on the anniversary day?

No. The rule counts calendar months, so the last day is the end of the month.

When does the 100-hour inspection apply?

When carrying a person for hire or giving flight instruction for hire in an aircraft you provide.

Can I exceed 100 hours?

By not more than 10 hours while en route to a place where the inspection can be done; the excess counts toward the next 100 hours.

Do experimental aircraft need an annual under 91.409?

Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to an aircraft with a current experimental airworthiness certificate.

Sources

Retrieved 2026-11-02. Regulation text read through the eCFR API (current as of 2026-10-29); AIM text read from the FAA publication URL below. Rules change; check the current text.

• 14 CFR 91.409, Inspections: the 12 calendar month annual, the 100-hour rule, exceptions and progressive inspection.