What maintenance activity is essential for control cables?

Inspection for fraying is crucial for control cables because these cables are integral to the aircraft's flight control system. Over time and use, control cables can experience wear and tear due to mechanical stress, environmental factors, and operational conditions. Fraying can lead to a reduction in the cable's strength and, ultimately, its ability to transmit the necessary control forces. This could significantly compromise flight safety by affecting the controllability of the aircraft.

Regular inspections allow maintenance personnel to identify any signs of fraying early on, ensuring that any worn or damaged cables can be replaced before they fail. This proactive approach helps maintain the integrity of the flight control system and ensures that pilots can reliably control the aircraft. Making fraying inspections a critical part of maintenance helps prevent potentially catastrophic failures in the system.