A method for inspecting an aircraft, comprising the following steps: a) moving a movable inspection unit in relation to an aircraft to be inspected; wherein at least one sensor is provided for detecting a characteristic value, for verifying a characteristic, and/or for determining a defect of an aircraft; b) detecting a characteristic value, verifying a characteristic, and/or determining a defect by the sensor; c) generating monitoring data; d) detecting position data of the movable inspection unit in relation to the aircraft to be inspected upon detecting a characteristic value, in case of a verified feature, or in the event of a determined defect; e) assigning the position data to the monitoring data; and f) providing the position data with the assigned monitoring data as inspection data; wherein the at least one mobile inspection unit is an unmanned vehicle unit from the group comprising: - a drone flying along the aircraft; and - a unit driving along the aircraft; and characterised in that the mobile inspection unit detects defects during flight operation, which are less well or not at all detectable in a parking position of the aircraft; wherein the defects, which may not be detected or which may be detected less, comprise deformations of constructions or deviation of material properties, which are not visible or which do not appear, respectively, while standing or while moving the aircraft on the ground; wherein the mobile inspection unit detects surface defects of a deformed structure, which defects would not be visible otherwise. a) moving a movable inspection unit in relation to an aircraft to be inspected; wherein at least one sensor is provided for detecting a characteristic value, for verifying a characteristic, and/or for determining a defect of an aircraft; b) detecting a characteristic value, verifying a characteristic, and/or determining a defect by the sensor; c) generating monitoring data; d) detecting position data of the movable inspection unit in relation to the aircraft to be inspected upon detecting a characteristic value, in case of a verified feature, or in the event of a determined defect; e) assigning the position data to the monitoring data; and f) providing the position data with the assigned monitoring data as inspection data; wherein the at least one mobile inspection unit is an unmanned vehicle unit from the group comprising: - a drone flying along the aircraft; and - a unit driving along the aircraft; and characterised in that the mobile inspection unit detects defects during flight operation, which are less well or not at all detectable in a parking position of the aircraft; wherein the defects, which may not be detected or which may be detected less, comprise deformations of constructions or deviation of material properties, which are not visible or which do not appear, respectively, while standing or while moving the aircraft on the ground; wherein the mobile inspection unit detects surface defects of a deformed structure, which defects would not be visible otherwise. wherein the at least one mobile inspection unit is an unmanned vehicle unit from the group comprising: - a drone flying along the aircraft; and - a unit driving along the aircraft; and - a drone flying along the aircraft; and - a unit driving along the aircraft; and characterised in that the mobile inspection unit detects defects during flight operation, which are less well or not at all detectable in a parking position of the aircraft; wherein the defects, which may not be detected or which may be detected less, comprise deformations of constructions or deviation of material properties, which are not visible or which do not appear, respectively, while standing or while moving the aircraft on the ground; wherein the mobile inspection unit detects surface defects of a deformed structure, which defects would not be visible otherwise. <EOS>