During an in-use (ready line) inspection of aerospace ground equipment, QA verifies the equipment is airworthy and free of foreign object hazards, that all findings are documented in the LEAP QA database, and that inspectors are qualified. The Air Force controls this under DAFI 21-101, with parallel maintenance programs in the other branches.
Readers asked this on CheckMyRegs and CheckMyAFI 19 times — this page answers it from the official catalogs and the publications’ own text.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | DAFI 21-101 Current QA inspections, AGE FO control, and LEAP documentation | 2023-12-20 | Official link |
| Navy | OPNAVINST 4790.2K Current Naval aviation maintenance QA program | 2025-04-25 | Official link |
| Marine Corps | MCO 4790.25 Current Ground equipment maintenance program | 2014-01-12 | Official link |
| Army | AR 750-1 Current Army materiel maintenance policy | 2026-04-29 | Official link |
Confirm all openings, ports, lines, hoses, electrical connections, and ducts on AGE are properly plugged or capped to keep foreign objects out.
“11.8.3.1. On aircraft, uninstalled engines, LRUs and AGE. Openings, ports, lines, hoses, electrical connections, and ducts will be properly plugged or capped to prevent FO from entering the systems. (T-2) Note: Do NOT place items (such as, trash bags, rags, cloths) inside open cavities or ducts. When no approved manufactured coverings and/or caps are available for use, securely cover open ducts and/or cavities externally to prevent foreign objects from being intr oduced. Prior to installation, inspect openings, cavities, and ducts for FO.”
Record the completed inspection and any findings in the LEAP QA database per your unit's documentation procedures.
“6.4.8. Establish procedures for QA Inspectors to document completed inspections. (T-2)”
Ensure the QA inspector has passed both EPEs before performing the evaluation unsupervised.
“6.4.13.2. Each QA Inspector, permanent or augmentee, must pass both EPEs prior to performing unsupervised evaluations and inspections. (T-2)”
Compare against previous reports to determine whether the inspected AGE areas have improved or declined.
“6.7.11.4.12. Trend Analysis. QA will review previous reports to determine if inspected areas have improved or declined. (T-2)”
Route any suspected defects to the NDI section, which limits findings to size, location, and type without making serviceability calls.
“4.8.4. Nondestructive Inspection ( NDI) Section. Performs NDI of aircraft, engines, AGE, other equipment and manages the Oil Analysis Program (OAP). Inspection findings are limited to a description of the size, location, and type of any defect discovered. NDI personnel do not make serviceability determinations except for “inspect only” TCTOs and if NDI actions constitute a completed maintenance action. In addition to the applicable Section NCOIC/Chief responsibilities in Chapter 2, the NDI Section NCOIC/Chief will:”
Roll results into the monthly QA summary distributed to the group commander and inspected organizations.
“6.7.11. Monthly Summary. QA will publish and distribute the monthly summary to the MXG/CC or equivalent and inspected organizations. (T-2)”
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Updated 2026-08-01. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.