How is aircraft maintenance done?

Outside the short moments you see as a passenger, an aircraft is a machine that is checked all the time.

Before every flight

One of the pilots or a technician walks around the aircraft for an exterior check: tyres, engine intakes, wing surfaces, lights. In the cockpit, the pilots go through the systems one by one with a checklist. If you see someone walking around the aircraft while you wait at the gate, they're probably doing this check.

Daily and weekly checks

Aircraft go through more detailed checks every day and after a set number of flight hours. These follow a maintenance programme approved by the manufacturer and the aviation authority.

Heavy maintenance

At set intervals the aircraft goes into the hangar for thorough maintenance lasting days or even weeks. Panels are opened, structures and systems are inspected in detail and parts are replaced.

Records

Every aircraft has a maintenance history recording every job done. Even small things pilots notice in flight are written in the log and assessed by the technical team before the next flight. A flight waiting briefly for a “technical check” is part of this routine.