External Walk-Around

Question 1

CA: What is the Bird Strike Inspection Procedure? (SOPM 04-01.55)

Answer 1

*PIC may perform inspection if maintenance personnel are not on site. However may not use
special equipment to access hard to see areas (e.g., ladders, lift bucket). When suspected bird strike
cannot be inspected from ground, contact maintenance control.

A: Set airplane in similar configuration as to when bird strike occurred, Check for signs of
blood, feathers, and obvious damage on Antennas, FWD Fuselage, Landing Gear, Wings, Engines, AFT
Fuselage, Horizontal/Vertical stabilizer (leading edge). Limitations: Maintenance personnel
action is required when any of the following item(s) are found: Bird remains into openings and intakes, bird
remnant cannot be cleaned away for assessment, Obvious damage such as buckling, cracking, dents, loose
rivets, paint damage, delamination, etc., any technical malfunction, any bad smell through bleed system
and/or engine vibrations, or when signs of bird remnants on engine fan core.

Question 2

CA: When inspecting the engine fan blades, which portion of the fan blade is the most critical
area? (SOPM 04-01.58)

Answer 2

The root of the fan blade.

Question 3

CA: How are the exterior lights of the aircraft inspected during the external inspection?
(SOPM 04-01.49)

Answer 3

External lights and lenses are checked for overall condition, Light illumination is not
required.

Question 4

CA: Can a post-flight external inspection be waived, if maintenance personnel are available
and ready to immediately take control of the aircraft upon your arrival at the gate? (SOPM
04.01.3)

Answer 4

Technically No according to SOPM. (But does everyone do this? Yes.)