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AGL Inspection Handbook

A division-wise reference for what to inspect on an installed AGL system — not how to install or repair it. Every division answers one question: for this asset, what must be verified, against what standard, and how is the result classified? Built around a five-level inspection hierarchy, from daily walk-arounds to full airport-wide condition audits.

All 25 divisions are now live, covering 1,173 published inspection topics across the full AGL asset base.

How this differs from the SOP Library: the SOP Library documents procedure — how to install, test, or repair. This handbook documents inspection — what to verify on equipment that is already installed, how to compare it against tolerance, and how to classify and record what's found. Philosophy: observe → verify → compare → classify → record → action.

1,173 published25/25 divisions complete
25/25
Divisions Live
1,173
Topics Published
5
Hierarchy Levels
4
Defect Categories

Five-Level Inspection Hierarchy

Every inspection topic in the handbook sits at one of five levels, from routine daily checks through to a complete airport-wide AGL audit. The level sets the frequency, the trigger, and how deep the inspection goes.

01

Routine Inspection

Daily / Shift / Weekly

Operational-condition checks confirming the system is serviceable right now.

INS-RWY-017Runway Edge Light Inspection
02

Detailed Equipment Inspection

Monthly / Quarterly / Annual

Component-level checks going beyond visual status into condition, calibration, and record review.

INS-ITR-001External Condition Inspection
03

Special Inspection

Event-Triggered

Follows failure, lightning, flooding, major maintenance, construction, an accident/incident, or severe weather.

Trigger-basedRuns outside the normal calendar, driven by the event
04

Acceptance Inspection

Milestone-Based

For new installation, replacement, modification, rehabilitation, or commissioning of AGL assets.

Milestone-basedPrecedes handover or return to service
05

AGL System Audit

Airport-Wide

Complete airport-level assessment spanning runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI, signs, CCR, transformers, cables, connectors, earthing, ALCMS, and documentation.

Division 25Airport-Wide AGL Condition Assessment & Audit

How an Inspection Topic Works

Each topic in the handbook follows the same six-step logic, whatever the asset or level.

1Observe
2Verify
3Compare
4Classify
5Record
6Action
INS-RWY-017

Runway Edge Light — Inspection Point Example

A handbook topic isn't "how to install a runway edge light" — it's the full set of points checked on a light that's already in service, each with a defined pass condition.

Inspection PointWhat to Verify
Fixture positionCorrect location
AlignmentCorrect orientation
HeightWithin required installation tolerance
LensClean and undamaged
HousingNo damage/corrosion
MountingSecure
Frangible couplingCorrect condition
CableNo visible damage
ConnectorSecure and sealed
IlluminationCorrect operation
IdentificationCorrect asset/circuit marking
Surrounding areaNo FOD/obstruction
WaterNo unacceptable accumulation

Defect Classification

Every finding is classified consistently across all 25 divisions, so severity means the same thing whether it's a runway light or a CCR cabinet.

Critical

Directly affects flight safety or immediate serviceability. Requires immediate action.

Major

Significant deterioration or non-conformance that must be corrected within a defined short window.

Minor

Does not affect operational serviceability but should be tracked and scheduled for correction.

Observation

Noted for awareness and trend tracking — no immediate corrective action required.

Browse by Division

25 divisions covering the full AGL asset base, from daily airfield checks through documentation, compliance, and airport-wide condition audits. Each is coded INS-[asset], distinct from the SOP Library's division numbering.

Division 01

Daily Airfield Inspection

INS-DLY
12 topics published
View
Division 02

Runway Lighting Inspection

INS-RWY
76 topics published
View
Division 03

Taxiway Lighting Inspection

INS-TWY
89 topics published
View
Division 04

Approach Lighting Inspection

INS-ALS
93 topics published
View
Division 05

PAPI / APAPI Inspection

INS-PAPI
12 topics published
View
Division 06

Airfield Sign Inspection

INS-SGN
89 topics published
View
Division 07

CCR & Series Circuit Inspection

INS-CCR
14 topics published
View
Division 08

Isolating Transformer Inspection

INS-ITR
12 topics published
View
Division 09

AGL Cable Inspection

INS-CBL
90 topics published
View
Division 10

Connector Inspection

INS-CON
12 topics published
View
Division 11

Electrical Safety Inspection

INS-ESI
12 topics published
View
Division 12

Civil Works & Base Can Inspection

INS-CIV
85 topics published
View
Division 13

Earthing & Bonding Inspection

INS-EBD
12 topics published
View
Division 14

ALCMS & Control System Inspection

INS-ALC
12 topics published
View
Division 15

Fixture & Optical Condition Inspection

INS-FIX
104 topics published
View
Division 16

Stop Bar & Runway Guard Light Inspection

INS-SBR
78 topics published
View
Division 17

Obstruction & Associated Lighting Inspection

INS-OBS
12 topics published
View
Division 18

FOD, Surface & Environmental Inspection

INS-FOD
92 topics published
View
Division 19

Electrical Room / CCR Room Inspection

INS-ECR
12 topics published
View
Division 20

Testing, Photometry & Calibration Inspection

INS-TPC
14 topics published
View
Division 21

Preventive Maintenance Condition Inspection

INS-PMC
14 topics published
View
Division 22

Post-Maintenance Inspection

INS-PM
12 topics published
View
Division 23

Pre-Commissioning & Acceptance Inspection

INS-PCA
14 topics published
View
Division 24

Documentation & Compliance Inspection

INS-DOC
181 topics published
View
Division 25

Airport-Wide AGL Condition Assessment & Audit

INS-AUD
20 topics published
View

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about the AGL Inspection Handbook, its 25 divisions and how inspection topics are structured.

Q1What is the AGL Inspection Handbook?

It is a division-wise inspection reference for installed AGL systems, with 1,173 published inspection topics across 25 divisions. It documents what must be verified on an asset that is already in service, against what standard, and how the result is classified — not how to install or repair it.

Q2How does the Inspection Handbook differ from the SOP Library?

The SOP Library documents procedure: how to install, test or repair. The Inspection Handbook documents inspection: what to verify on equipment that is already installed, how to compare it against tolerance, and how to classify and record what is found.

Q3What is the five-level inspection hierarchy?

Every topic sits at one of five levels: routine inspection (daily, shift or weekly), detailed equipment inspection (monthly, quarterly or annual), special inspection (event-triggered, such as after failure, lightning, flooding, major maintenance, construction, an incident or severe weather), acceptance inspection (milestone-based, for new installation, replacement, modification or commissioning), and AGL system audit (an airport-wide assessment).

Q4How is each inspection topic structured?

Each topic follows the same six-step logic: observe, verify, compare, classify, record and action. A topic sets out the inspection points checked on equipment in service, each with a defined pass condition, such as position, alignment, height, lens, housing, mounting, cable, connector, illumination and surrounding area.

Q5How are inspection findings classified?

The handbook uses four defect categories: Critical, which directly affects flight safety or immediate serviceability and requires immediate action; Major, a significant deterioration or non-conformance to be corrected within a defined short window; Minor, which does not affect operational serviceability but should be tracked and scheduled; and Observation, noted for awareness and trend tracking. Individual division pages also define the status scale they record against.

Q6Which divisions does the Inspection Handbook include?

It has 25 divisions covering the full AGL asset base, from daily airfield inspection (Division 01) through runway, taxiway and approach lighting, PAPI/APAPI, signs, CCRs, transformers, cables, connectors, electrical safety, civil works, earthing, ALCMS and fixtures, to stop bars, obstruction lighting, FOD and environmental conditions, electrical rooms, testing and calibration, preventive maintenance, post-maintenance, pre-commissioning, documentation and compliance, and the airport-wide audit in Division 25.

Q7Can I download printable checklists from the handbook?

Yes. Each inspection topic on the division pages 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.

Q8Do airport procedures take precedence over the Inspection Handbook?

Yes. The 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.

Precision AGL Academy

25 Divisions of Inspection. One Skill That Ties Them Together.

From daily airfield checks to airport-wide condition audits, every division in this handbook tests a different piece of AGL knowledge. Precision AGL Academy is where that knowledge becomes a connected skill — understanding why abnormalities occur, how they affect serviceability, and when further testing, troubleshooting, maintenance or corrective action is required.

Build Practical AGL Inspection & Maintenance Capability

Develop structured knowledge across:

AGL Fundamentals Components Inspection Electrical Systems Photometry Testing Troubleshooting Maintenance Commissioning

Learn to connect the inspection process with the wider AGL engineering lifecycle.

Inspect with purpose. Understand the system. Act with technical confidence.

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