If the aircraft meets all airworthiness requirements but lacks an inspected altimeter, what should be listed?

The correct choice highlights the necessity of documenting any deficiencies found during an inspection, which is vital for maintaining safety and compliance standards in aviation. When an aircraft meets all airworthiness requirements except for a specific piece of equipment, such as an inspected altimeter, it's essential to explicitly list that altimeter as a deficiency in the inspection report. This ensures that the operator and anyone who may later review the report are aware of the non-compliance issue, which could affect the aircraft's operational capability, especially when flying under conditions where accurate altitude readings are critical.

Not mentioning the deficiency would leave ambiguity surrounding the aircraft's airworthiness status, potentially resulting in unsafe operational decisions. Labeling the altimeter as compliant for VFR only suggests that it meets basic requirements for visual flight rules, which may not fully capture the scope of the absence of inspection. Stating it as compliant for IFR usage could misrepresent the aircraft's true condition, since regulatory compliance for IFR operations is more stringent. Hence, identifying the altimeter as a deficiency accurately reflects its status and reinforces the importance of thorough maintenance practices and compliance with aviation regulations.