All aircraft, whether they’re commercial, cargo or military, have to undergo inspections after certain amounts of time or usage. These inspections, or “checks”, vary in duration and detail depending on the check. An “A-check” may only take 50-70 hours, but a “D-check” can take up to 50,000 hours as it’s a highly detailed process. Many engineers will do hands-on work on the craft, inspecting and fixing parts, all the way through to completely stripping a craft of paint to check the skin of the aeroplane.