What type of inspection can replace the 100-hour inspection?

The 100-hour inspection can be replaced by an Annual inspection because both are comprehensive inspections required for the continued airworthiness of aircraft; however, they differ in their timing and application. The Annual inspection is a more thorough evaluation that is mandated once a year for all aircraft, while the 100-hour inspection is specifically designed for aircraft that are used for hire or flight instruction. If an aircraft undergoes an Annual inspection, it satisfies the requirements of both itself and the 100-hour inspection, thus allowing for operational flexibility.

In contrast, the other types of inspections listed, such as Transponder inspection, Altimeter inspection, and Airworthiness inspection, serve specific purposes and do not fulfill the broader requirements of a 100-hour inspection or can replace it. For instance, transponder and altimeter inspections focus on specific equipment checks rather than the overall condition of the aircraft, and an Airworthiness inspection is more of an evaluation of whether the aircraft meets the regulatory requirements to be deemed airworthy, without including the comprehensive system reviews that a 100-hour inspection would entail.