Who can supervise or conduct the progressive inspection of an aircraft?

The correct answer is that a certificated airframe repair station can supervise or conduct the progressive inspection of an aircraft. This is because airframe repair stations are certified entities that have met specific regulatory requirements set by the FAA, allowing them to perform a range of maintenance activities, including inspections.

Progressive inspections are a structured way of inspecting an aircraft, where various components and systems are inspected at different intervals rather than all at once. The ability of repair stations to conduct these inspections comes from their comprehensive understanding of regulatory compliance, maintenance standards, and their access to necessary resources and tools.

While an A&P mechanic can perform many maintenance functions, including inspections, they typically work under the authority and oversight of a repair station or another organization that holds relevant certification. Additionally, a graded and regulated training process is essential for the effective execution of progressive inspections, which repair stations are equipped for, whereas the single mechanic's capabilities could be limited by the scope of their specific experience and available resources.

A certified pilot does not have the authority to supervise or conduct traditional progressive inspections as defined by FAA regulations, as their training and certification focus on operation rather than maintenance and inspection of airframe and powerplant systems.