Who assumes custody of an aircraft during pickup or delivery when scheduled for programmed depot maintenance?

• A. The pilot in command's home unit
• B. The receiving maintenance unit
• C. The original manufacturer
• D. The base security officer

Answer: (A)

The asset remains under the accountability of the aircraft’s owning unit during the pickup and delivery process for programmed depot maintenance. The pilot in command’s home unit assumes custody while the aircraft is being moved to and from the depot, ensuring continuity of responsibility and proper documentation as it transfers between facilities. The receiving maintenance unit would take custody only once the aircraft is at the depot under their control for maintenance, not during the handoff. The original manufacturer would only be the custodian if the maintenance were performed at their facility, which isn’t the standard arrangement for programmed depot maintenance. The base security officer isn’t the custodian in this process.