Mark Allen M wrote:
Got to wondering what, if any, 'special inspections' are required for Warbird's that are scheduled to participate on the airshow circuit. Annual inspections are one thing, but are there even more 'detailed special inspections' that occur just before an airshow? Do airshow management and/or organizers require 'special inspections' before allowing a Warbird to participate? Does the FAA, NTSB etc. require a 'special inspection' prior to performance at an airshow? Is there usually actual practice for non-aerobatic Warbird's before an airshow performance or only a briefing before a performance? I would assume practice would be the rule for aerobatic airplanes but would there usually be a 'warmup' for Warbird flyby's? Interesting article below. (date of article ?)
http://www.airportjournals.com/display. ... as/05040272012 a year of no mishaps

There is an enhanced examination of aircraft paperwork for aircraft participating in airshows. Copies of all signoffs for the annual/condition insp, bi-annual transponder/IFR certs, AD list and ELT 91.207 insp are required and looked at. Depending on the FAA scrutiny level the A/C could get a drive by look see or a very detailed examination by the local FSDO folks. FAA instructions are given in a FAA document.
If you attend many shows it is a case of giving the local FAA the ability to give you a one over multiple weekends a summer. Each FSDO gets to do the same thing all over again to what ever degree of intensity they desire.
As far as Special Inspections, there is only one level of airworthiness indicated in the FARs.