What does the term 'post-flight inspection' entail?

The term 'post-flight inspection' primarily involves identifying any issues or abnormalities after a flight. This inspection is critical to ensure that the aircraft is in optimal condition and safe for future flights. During this process, the plane captain or maintenance personnel conduct a thorough examination of the aircraft to look for any signs of wear, damage, or malfunctions that may have occurred during the flight. This can include checking the airframe, engines, landing gear, and various systems to ensure everything is functioning correctly and to prevent potential safety hazards.

While reviewing flight logs and cleaning the cockpit area are important aspects of overall aircraft maintenance and operations, they do not capture the primary objective of a post-flight inspection, which is focused on the physical condition of the aircraft. Checking fuel levels, although part of operational checks, is not specific to the post-flight inspection context either, making it insufficient on its own.