What safety precaution should be taken during minor maintenance on an armed aircraft?

• A. Weapons safed to minimum degree
• B. Weapons safed to maximum degree as specified in NAVAIR weapons/stores loading checklists
• C. Weapons remain loaded
• D. No safety required

Answer: (B)

During maintenance on an armed aircraft, the highest level of protection is required to prevent any accidental arming or release. The standard practice is to safet the weapons to the maximum degree as specified in the NAVAIR weapons/stores loading checklists. This provides the greatest safety margin because even minor tasks can involve power or mechanical interfaces that could inadvertently arm a weapon; the safing steps are designed to isolate arming circuits, secure power, and apply the proper safety devices or configurations exactly as the manual requires. Safing to a lesser degree would leave residual risk, keeping weapons in a more vulnerable state, and leaving weapons loaded or having no safety at all contradicts established safety procedures. Following the checklist ensures a consistent and reliable level of protection during maintenance.