Doctors have perfected the skills of conducting physical exams. They know what questions to ask and how to examine the body for clues that signify health, injury or disease. The same is true of pilots. They are taught how to perform critical preflight checks or inspections that reveal mechanical condition and safety. By walking around the plane with checklist in hand, pilots survey the aircraft for signs of tire damage, maintenance errors, material defects, and even sabotage.
Mechanics, lubrication technicians and even equipment operators must be skilled at giving physicals as well. Like the doctor or pilot, they need to be alert to subtle changes or symptoms that might be an early sign of machine malfunction or accelerated wear. One of the obvious problems with conducting such inspections is that for most machines, the critical operating components are shielded from view by panels, casings, guards and housings, including the lubricant in most cases. It’s like asking your doctor to give you a physical while wearing body armor.
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