Standardized methodology for verifying that an AGL maintenance activity has been properly completed, the equipment restored to the required condition, all affected connections secured, the work area restored, and the system fit for return to service.
Key principle — Maintenance is not complete merely because the repair is finished. Inspection should verify the complete restoration chain before return to service.
Verification that runway AGL fixtures affected by the maintenance activity have been correctly restored — mounting, alignment, elevation and orientation confirmed, and optical, cable, connector, frangible and base-can interfaces verified intact.
Inspection of taxiway fixtures affected by maintenance, confirming that alignment, spacing/location and height have not been disturbed, and that optical surfaces, connectors, secondary leads, frangibility and base/pit condition are acceptable.
Inspection of repaired or maintained airfield signs, verifying that the correct sign face/message and orientation have been restored, mounting and housing are secure, illumination and LED/driver operation are correct, and cable, connector and sealing are intact.
Inspection of the maintained PAPI/APAPI unit, confirming azimuth alignment, elevation and beam settings, optical-surface condition, housing and mounting integrity, cable/connector condition, functional performance, and that alignment information has been recorded.
Inspection of the CCR after maintenance, confirming that cabinet panels/doors/covers are correctly restored, affected internal components, electrical connections, control wiring, protection and cooling systems are verified, and that indications, alarms, output condition, intensity-step and remote-control operation are correct.
Inspection of the maintained isolating transformer, confirming asset identification and rating, primary and secondary connections, lead and connector condition, housing/sealing integrity, pit restoration, and correct installation position.
Inspection of cable after maintenance, verifying that the cable route and mechanical protection have been properly restored, repaired/new joints and terminations are sound, identification and sealing are correct, trench/duct condition is restored, and that applicable cable testing has been completed and documented.
Inspection of maintained or replaced connectors, confirming contact condition, proper mating, locking-mechanism engagement, sealing, cable-lead condition, strain relief/protection, identification, and that moisture-ingress protection has been restored.
Inspection of the affected earthing and bonding system after maintenance, verifying earth and bonding conductors, equipment, base-can, transformer and CCR earthing, the condition of affected earth connections, and that required post-maintenance earth testing has been completed and documented.
Verification that maintenance has not adversely affected optical performance — lens/prism cleanliness, orientation and elevation are confirmed unchanged, applicable photometric condition is checked, the need for formal photometric testing is determined, and any measurement evidence is verified against the acceptance requirement.
A routine post-maintenance photometric condition check does not automatically replace formal photometric measurement where the applicable procedure/specification requires formal testing.
Verification that the maintained equipment performs its intended function — local and remote control operation, intensity-step levels, alarm indications, status feedback, communication interfaces, affected circuit operation, and that equipment status corresponds with actual operating condition.
Verification that the work area has been restored after maintenance — FOD, tools, temporary materials, packaging and waste removed, pavement/surface, base/pit and drainage restored, surrounding areas made good, access reinstated, and a final housekeeping check completed.
Common classification scheme, quality gates, minimum records and the maintenance-complete vs. asset-restored control that apply across all 12 Division 22 inspection topics.
Every observation should be assigned an appropriate status:
NormalAsset fully restored and satisfactory for return to service.
DefectiveAbnormality identified but equipment remains operational or condition does not require immediate withdrawal.
UnserviceableEquipment or system is not available for its intended function.
Immediate Action RequiredCondition presents an operational, electrical, safety, or airside risk requiring immediate escalation/action.
The eight sequential gates between maintenance activity and restored serviceability:
Work — Was the maintenance actually completed?
Physical — Correctly reassembled, mounted and restored?
Electrical — Connections, cables and earthing restored?
Functional — Does the equipment/system operate correctly?
Optical — Photometric performance acceptable where applicable?
Environmental — Work area, pit, pavement and surroundings restored?
Documentation — All required records complete and traceable?
Return to Service — Required authorization/approval completed?
Each post-maintenance inspection record should include:
Maintenance complete means
Asset restored requires the inspection to confirm
Critical control — Only when the asset is confirmed restored — not merely when maintenance is reported complete — should the activity be considered fully closed, subject to the airport's applicable authorization process.
Quick answers about post-maintenance inspection in the AGL Inspection Handbook.
Division 22 contains 12 published topics (Level 2, post-repair and post-replacement). It gives a standardized methodology for verifying that an AGL maintenance activity was properly completed, the equipment restored to the required condition, all affected connections secured, the work area restored, and the system fit for return to service.
No. Maintenance is not complete merely because the repair is finished. Inspection should verify the complete restoration chain before return to service, and the activity is considered fully closed only when the asset is confirmed restored, subject to the airport's applicable authorization process.
Maintenance complete means the technician has finished the assigned repair or replacement. Asset restored requires the inspection to confirm the correct component is installed and connections are secure, cable, connector, earthing and bonding are acceptable, the equipment is positioned correctly, required testing is complete and operation is satisfactory, photometric condition is satisfactory where applicable, the work area is restored with FOD removed, and documentation is complete with the original defect closed.
There are eight sequential gates: work, physical, electrical, functional, optical, environmental, documentation and return to service. Each asks whether that part of the restoration is done, from whether the maintenance was actually completed through to whether the required authorization or approval was obtained.
It includes the maintenance work-order reference, report and scope verification, the original defect and closure status, the replacement-component record, workmanship assessment, test records, calibration evidence, photometry evidence where applicable, as-maintained asset record update, maintenance-history update, any rework requirement and completion, and the return-to-service authorization.
Normal means the asset is fully restored and satisfactory for return to service. Defective means an abnormality exists but the equipment remains operational or does not need immediate withdrawal. Unserviceable means the equipment or system is not available for its intended function. Immediate Action Required means the condition presents an operational, electrical, safety or airside risk requiring immediate escalation and action.
Yes. This handbook is an uncontrolled educational reference, not an approved procedure. The airport's approved inspection schedule, SMS procedures, ATC instructions, NOTAM procedures and local aerodrome regulations always take precedence, and the current revision of any official document should be verified before use.
Yes. Each inspection topic has a Download as Word option that produces an uncontrolled Word checklist template (description, a tick-box inspection table and an inspector sign-off block) for personal reference and internal training, to be reviewed and adopted under the user’s own document control.
Post-maintenance inspection is where restored-function and workmanship condition awareness begins. Go beyond identifying defects and build the technical knowledge to understand why abnormalities occur, how they affect system serviceability, and when further testing, troubleshooting, maintenance or corrective action is required.
Develop structured knowledge across:
Learn to connect the inspection process with the wider AGL engineering lifecycle.
Inspect with purpose. Understand the system. Act with technical confidence.
Please read before relying on any content on this page or on any record downloaded from it.