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FREE FAA A&P Mechanic Exam Guide 2026: Pass 3 Tests + O&P

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Key Facts

  • FAA A&P certification requires passing 3 knowledge tests: AMG General (60 questions / 2 hrs), AMA Airframe (100 / 2 hrs), and AMP Powerplant (100 / 2 hrs).
  • All three FAA A&P knowledge tests require a minimum passing score of 70% per test; there is no combined or weighted score.
  • FAR Part 65.77 eligibility requires 30 months experience on airframes AND powerplants (18 months single rating), Part 147 AMTS graduation, or qualifying military (JSAMTCC).
  • PSI lists FAA knowledge-test vouchers at $175 each, so the three A&P knowledge tests cost about $525; the Designated Mechanic Examiner sets the Oral & Practical fee.
  • Under 14 CFR 65.71(a)(3), all A&P tests, knowledge, oral, and practical, must be passed within 24 months; a knowledge test outside that window must be retaken.
  • The FAA's mechanic test-requirements page says applicants must take the General (AMG) knowledge test first, followed by the Airframe and/or Powerplant knowledge tests.
  • Under 14 CFR 65.79, the Oral & Practical tests the FAA-S-ACS-1 subjects for the rating sought: 12 General, 15 Airframe, and 13 Powerplant, given by a Designated Mechanic Examiner.
  • BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $79,870 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011); the top 10% earned more than $128,890.
  • BLS projects aircraft mechanic and service technician jobs (SOC 49-3011) to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, with about 13,100 openings a year across aircraft and avionics mechanics.
  • Since April 2026, FAA AMG, AMA, and AMP knowledge tests feature embedded in-question images; the paper testing supplement stays available until the FAA sets a removal date.

The Certificate That Keeps America Flying

An FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic can perform maintenance and approve it for return to service within the certificate's ratings under 14 CFR Parts 43 and 65 — a signature that carries federal legal weight. Repair stations, air carriers, and Inspection Authorization holders approve other work under their own rules, but the A&P is the core certificate behind most of it.

Demand for the credential is strong. Boeing's 2026 Pilot and Technician Outlook (2026-2045) projects demand for about 728,000 new aviation maintenance technicians globally over the next 20 years , with about 125,000 needed in North America. BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $79,870 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011), $96,170 in air transportation, and more than $128,890 for the top 10%.

But the A&P is not a trivial credential to earn. It requires passing three separate FAA knowledge tests (General, Airframe, and Powerplant) and a demanding Oral & Practical examination with a Designated Mechanic Examiner. The Oral & Practical then tests the FAA-S-ACS-1 subjects for each rating sought: 12 General, 15 Airframe, and 13 Powerplant (14 CFR 65.79).

This guide gives you the complete 2026 roadmap: exam format, eligibility pathways under FAR Part 65.77 , subject-by-subject content breakdowns, study plans, cost estimates, common pitfalls on the Oral & Practical, test-day tips, and the career ladder from fresh graduate to IA-rated shop owner.

Ready to drill questions? Test yourself with our free FAA A&P practice questions covering all three knowledge tests — General, Airframe, and Powerplant.

FAA A&P Exam Format at a Glance

  • Component Details
  • Total evaluations 3 knowledge tests + 1 Oral + 1 Practical
  • AMG General 60 questions, 2.0 hours, 70% to pass
  • AMA Airframe 100 questions, 2.0 hours, 70% to pass
  • AMP Powerplant 100 questions, 2.0 hours, 70% to pass

Oral & Practical (O&P) FAA-S-ACS-1 subjects for the rating sought (12 General, 15 Airframe, 13 Powerplant); oral and practical must both be passed

  • Knowledge test fee $175 PSI voucher price per test (confirm with PSI)
  • O&P fee Set by the DME
  • Testing window All tests within 24 months (14 CFR 65.71(a)(3))

Eligibility 18 months (one rating) or 30 months concurrent (both) of experience, Part 147 graduation, or the JSAMTCC military route

  • Governing regulation 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D
  • Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility Pathway (FAR Part 65.77)

Before you can schedule any test, the FAA must verify that you meet one of three eligibility pathways. This verification results in a signed FAA Form 8610-2 (Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application) that unlocks your testing authorization.

Pathway A: Practical Experience (the "30-month path")

The pathway for working mechanics, military transitioners, and employees at Part 145 repair stations.

  • Rating Sought Required Experience
  • Airframe only 18 months of documented airframe maintenance
  • Powerplant only 18 months of documented powerplant maintenance
  • Both A&P 30 months of concurrent airframe AND powerplant maintenance

Experience must be documented with:

Employer letters on company letterhead, signed by a supervisor, detailing dates, hours, aircraft type, and tasks performed.

Logbook entries showing maintenance tasks with sign-off.

FSDO interview with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) who reviews the documentation and signs block V of Form 8610-2.

Critical note: The experience must be practical work with the procedures, tools, and equipment used to build, maintain, or alter airframes or powerplants, appropriate to the rating sought (14 CFR 65.77), and documented to the FAA's satisfaction. The FAA counts it on a typical full-time, 40-hour work week, so extra hours in a shorter period do not shorten the 18 or 30 months.

Pathway B: FAR Part 147 AMTS School

A graduate of an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School meets the experience requirement with the school's authenticated graduation document (14 CFR 65.77(a)). Since the 2022 rewrite of Part 147 (Amdt. 147-9), the rule sets no minimum curriculum hours: a school's curriculum must be designed around FAA-S-ACS-1, and the school must keep at least a 70% pass rate for graduates who test within 60 days (14 CFR 147.17 and 147.25).

Key advantage: The school authorizes your testing paperwork directly — no 30-month FSDO interview required.

Pathway C: Military Experience

Qualifying military maintenance experience is evaluated through the Joint Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC) . Air Force, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and Army aviation maintainers with the right MOS/rating and documented experience can apply. Certain JSAMTCC/MOA-eligible military applicants may test at no cost under cost-waiver provisions.

Details are in the FAA's JSAMTCC FAQ (faa.gov/training_testing/testing/jsamtcc_faqs.pdf).

Step 2: Understand the Three Knowledge Tests

The FAA administers three separate computer-based knowledge tests at PSI testing centers nationwide. The FAA mechanic page directs applicants to PSI for current fees; PSI's organizational voucher price is $175 per test . The tests share a common format — objective multiple-choice — but differ significantly in content.

AMG — General Knowledge (60 Questions, 2.0 Hours)

The General test establishes baseline aviation maintenance literacy. Its 60 questions are drawn from subject areas that appear throughout both Airframe and Powerplant work. The FAA's mechanic test-requirements page says to take General first , followed by Airframe and/or Powerplant.

General subjects (FAA-S-ACS-1, Section I; the FAA companion guide FAA-G-ACS-1 gives each a share of the 60 questions):

Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics (5–15%) — Ohm's Law, series vs. parallel circuits, AC vs. DC, capacitance, inductance, transformers, batteries.

Aircraft Drawings (5–10%) — Orthographic projection, electrical schematics, block diagrams, sectional and exploded views, and scale interpretation.

Weight and Balance (5–10%) — Datum, arm, moment, CG calculations, empty-weight vs. loaded-weight CG, loading graphs.

Fluid Lines and Fittings (5–10%) — Rigid lines, flexible hoses, AN, AC, and MS fitting identification, flaring, and torque values.

Aircraft Materials, Hardware, and Processes (5–10%) — Hardware identification (AN bolts and nuts, cotter pins, safety wire), aluminum alloys and heat-treatment codes, corrosion-resistant steels.

Ground Operations and Servicing (5–15%) — Engine starting and run-up safety, towing, fueling and grounding, fire protection, and servicing.

Cleaning and Corrosion Control (5–10%) — Types of corrosion (uniform surface, pitting, intergranular, galvanic, filiform, stress, fretting), chemical treatments, and inspection methods.

Mathematics (5–10%) — Decimals, fractions, percentages, algebra, ratio/proportion, square root, and basic geometry.

Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications (5–10%) — 14 CFR Parts 43, 65, and 91, AD compliance, 100-hour vs. annual inspections, major vs. minor repairs/alterations, Form 337, AC 43.13-1B, and manufacturer publications.

Physics for Aviation (5–10%) — Matter, work, power, force, simple machines, Bernoulli's principle, gas laws, temperature/pressure relationships.

Inspection Concepts and Techniques (5–10%) — Inspection programs, nondestructive testing, and precision measurement.

Human Factors (5–10%) — The "Dirty Dozen" (lack of communication, complacency, lack of knowledge, distraction, lack of teamwork, fatigue, lack of resources, pressure, lack of assertiveness, stress, lack of awareness, norms).

AMA — Airframe (100 Questions, 2.0 Hours)

The Airframe test covers everything from the firewall aft — structures, systems, and components that define the aircraft's mission.

Airframe subjects (FAA-S-ACS-1, Section II; share of the 100 questions per the FAA companion guide FAA-G-ACS-1):

Metallic Structures (5–15%) — Aluminum alloy identification and heat-treatment designations, rivet types and layout (pitch, edge distance), stop-drilling cracks, sheet metal repair, and welding.

Non-Metallic Structures (5–10%) — Composite layup, vacuum bagging, honeycomb sandwich repair, wood structures, fabric covering, and finishes.

Flight Controls (5–10%) — Control surface balancing, cable tension and inspection, rigging primary and secondary controls.

Airframe Inspection (5–15%) — 100-hour, annual, and progressive inspections, Part 43 Appendix D scope, ADs, life-limited parts, and corrosion inspection.

Landing Gear Systems (5–10%) — Fixed and retractable gear, oleo-pneumatic struts, retraction systems, wheels and brakes, nose-wheel steering, and strut servicing.

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems (5–10%) — Pumps, reservoirs, accumulators, filters, selector valves, actuators, bleeding, and fluid types (phosphate-ester fluid is never mixed with mineral-based fluid).

Environmental Systems (5–10%) — Pressurization, outflow and safety valves, cabin altitude, vapor-cycle and air-cycle cooling, heating, and oxygen.

Aircraft Instrument Systems (5–10%) — Pitot-static, gyroscopic, magnetic compass, engine gauges, and electronic displays.

Communication, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems (5–10%) — VHF COM and NAV, GPS, ADS-B Out, transponder, ELT, antennas, and light signals.

Aircraft Fuel Systems (5–10%) — Tank types, fuel pumps, cross-feed valves, quantity indicating, and water contamination checks.

Aircraft Electrical Systems (5–10%) — DC generation, voltage regulators, inverters and TRUs, circuit protection, and bus architecture.

Ice and Rain Control Systems (5–10%) — Anti-ice vs. de-ice, pneumatic boots, electrothermal and fluid systems, bleed air, wipers, and rain repellent.

Airframe Fire Protection Systems (5–10%) — Fire zones, detection (thermal switch, continuous loop), smoke and carbon monoxide detection, and extinguishing agents and systems.

Rotorcraft Fundamentals (5–10%) — Rotorcraft aerodynamics, rotor systems, transmissions, rigging, track and balance, and skid shoe inspection.

Water and Waste Systems (5–10%) — Potable water and lavatory waste system components, inspection, and servicing.

AMP — Powerplant (100 Questions, 2.0 Hours)

The Powerplant test covers reciprocating and turbine engines, propellers, induction, exhaust, lubrication, ignition, fuel metering, and starting systems. It had the lowest pass rate of the three mechanic tests in calendar year 2025: 63.04% on AMP, versus 69.59% on AMG and 74.01% on AMA (FAA Airman Knowledge Test statistics).

Powerplant subjects (FAA-S-ACS-1, Section III; share of the 100 questions per FAA-G-ACS-1):

Reciprocating Engines (5–15%) — 4-stroke Otto cycle, horizontally opposed vs. radial configurations, firing order (the FAA handbook gives 1-4-5-2-3-6 for six-cylinder opposed engines and 1-3-2-4 or 1-4-2-3 for four-cylinder models; check the engine data), valve timing and overlap, compression ratio, ground operation, and storage and preservation.

Turbine Engines (5–10%) — Turbojet, turbofan, turboprop, and turboshaft architectures; centrifugal and axial-flow compressors; combustor types; turbine stages; EGT, ITT, N₁, and N₂ monitoring.

Engine Inspection (5–10%) — Differential compression check (80 psi regulated pressure, reading compared with the minimum specified for the engine being tested), borescope inspection, oil analysis, and records.

Engine Instrument Systems (5–10%) — Tachometers, manifold pressure, oil pressure/temperature, CHT, EGT, fuel flow, and torque meters.

Engine Fire Protection Systems (5–10%) — Fire zones, firewalls, fire detection, and fire extinguishing systems.

Engine Electrical Systems (5–15%) — Starters and starter-generators, generator and alternator regulation, wiring, and circuit protection.

Engine Lubrication Systems (5–10%) — Dry-sump vs. wet-sump, oil grades (aviation grade numbers vs. SAE numbers; ashless dispersant vs. straight mineral oil), oil coolers, temperature regulation, and filter inspection for metal.

Ignition and Starting Systems (5–10%) — Magneto construction and timing, E-gap, P-lead, impulse coupling vs. shower-of-sparks, spark plugs, gapping, and rotation.

Engine Fuel and Fuel Metering Systems (5–10%) — Float and pressure carburetors, fuel injection, fuel pumps and filters, mixture control, and idle mixture adjustment.

Reciprocating Engine Induction and Cooling Systems (5–10%) — Carburetor heat, alternate air, induction icing, superchargers and turbochargers, wastegates, cowl flaps, and baffles.

Turbine Engine Air Systems (5–10%) — Cowling airflow and internal cooling, insulation blankets, induction and particle separators, bleed air, and inlet anti-ice.

Engine Exhaust and Reverser Systems (5–10%) — Exhaust heat muffs (CO leak inspection), turbine exhaust nozzles, and thrust reversers.

Propellers (5–10%) — Fixed-pitch, controllable-pitch, constant-speed, feathering, and reversing propellers; governor theory; propeller inspection, track, and balance.

Step 3: The Oral & Practical (O&P)

After the required knowledge tests are passed (or earlier for an AMTS student the FAA approves under 14 CFR 65.80), candidates schedule the Oral & Practical with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) . The knowledge tests check concepts; the O&P checks that you can explain them without notes and apply them with tools in hand.

How the O&P Works (FAA-G-ACS-1)

Part What happens

Test generation The DME builds your test with the FAA's Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) from your AKTRs and the FAA-S-ACS-1 subjects for the rating sought (12 General, 15 Airframe, 13 Powerplant).

Oral Questions retest the subjects coded on your AKTRs (a 100% written score still gets a minimum number of random questions). No reference material is allowed.

Practical Projects with practical questions, done with the tools, equipment, and references the examiner provides; personal tools only at the examiner's discretion.

Documents Two identically prepared FAA Forms 8610-2, passing AKTRs, government photo ID, and your eligibility document.

Grading and retests: There is no percentage score : you must meet the performance standard on what is tested. A failed oral is retested for the entire failed section (General, Airframe, or Powerplant); a failed practical is retested on the failed projects plus any areas not tested. Retests follow 14 CFR 65.19 (after 30 days, or sooner with a signed statement of additional instruction), and every test must still fall inside the 24-month window of 14 CFR 65.71(a)(3).

Common Oral & Practical Stations

The Mechanic Test Generator selects your projects. Expect hands-on tasks such as:

Safety wiring — Single-bolt, multi-bolt pattern (alternating), turnbuckle safetying, twists per inch and pigtail length per the reference.

Rigging a control cable — Proper cable routing, swaged fitting inspection, tension check with a tensiometer, travel measurement.

Differential compression check — Set up the tester, warm engine, find TDC, apply 80 PSI, record readings, interpret results.

Magneto timing — Find engine TDC compression stroke, install timing pin, set magneto internal timing (E-gap), time to engine using a buzz box.

Sheet metal repair layout — Calculate rivet pitch and edge distance, select correct rivet diameter and grip length, drill with proper back-up.

Hardware identification — Given a tray of bolts/nuts/screws, identify AN, MS, and NAS hardware and state torque values.

Weight and balance calculation — Solve a CG problem using real aircraft data.

Aircraft records entry — Write a 100-hour inspection entry or a repair sign-off per Part 43.9 or 43.11.

Inspection tasks — Borescope a cylinder, inspect a propeller for airworthiness, inspect a wire-rope cable for wear.

Oral Questions — Expect Scenario-Based

Rather than definitional ("What is…?"), modern DMEs favor scenario-based questions:

"A customer brings you a 1978 Cessna 172 with a cracked engine mount. Walk me through what you need to do to return it to service."

  • "You find 7 broken wires in a 6" length of 7x19 control cable. Is it airworthy? Why or why not?"
  • "The owner wants you to sign off an annual, but logbooks show an overdue AD from 2019. What do you do?"

These questions probe regulatory knowledge ( 14 CFR Part 43, 65, 91 ), decision-making, and the mechanic's ethical obligations under 65.81 and 65.85.

Step 4: Build a Study Plan (6-Month Timeline)

The FAA publishes no preparation-time estimate; Part 147 students study within their school program. Here is one sample 6-month plan for the experience path (stretch or compress it to your background, but keep every test inside the 24-month window):

Month 1: Foundation + AMG General Preparation

Download FAA-H-8083-30 (General handbook, free PDF from faa.gov).

Work through Dale Crane's AMT General textbook, one chapter per day.

Install ASA Prepware for General on your computer or tablet.

Complete 10-15 practice questions daily on our free FAA A&P practice bank .

Spend 30 min/day reviewing 14 CFR Part 43 and Part 65.

Month 2: Take AMG + Begin AMA Airframe

Schedule the AMG General test at PSI — aim for end of Week 1.

After passing General, download FAA-H-8083-31B (Airframe handbook).

Begin Dale Crane's AMT Airframe — this is a thicker book, plan 6 weeks to work through it.

Month 3: AMA Airframe Deep Drilling

Hit Prepware Airframe 2-3 times through the full question bank.

Focus areas: hydraulics, landing gear, sheet metal, fuel systems, electrical.

Schedule hands-on practice with mentors: rigging, inspections, sheet metal patches.

Month 4: Take AMA + Begin AMP Powerplant

Schedule the AMA Airframe test — aim for Week 1 or 2.

After passing, download FAA-H-8083-32B (Powerplant handbook).

Begin Dale Crane's AMT Powerplant .

Month 5: AMP Powerplant Deep Drilling

Focus on turbine engine theory (the most unfamiliar area for recip-only candidates).

Practice ignition, fuel metering, and reciprocating engine inspection walkthroughs.

Prepware Powerplant 2-3 times through.

Month 6: Take AMP + Prepare for Oral & Practical

Schedule the AMP Powerplant test — aim for Week 1 or 2.

After passing all three, contact DMEs in your area (find via the FAA Designee Locator) and book the O&P early, because DME availability varies.

Review every ACS code on your AKTRs, since the oral retests those subjects.

Practice hands-on tasks daily: safety wire, torque values, hardware ID, weight & balance math, log entries.

Step 5: Budget for the Certification (2026 Costs)

  • Item Cost (2026)
  • AMG General knowledge test $175 PSI voucher price
  • AMA Airframe knowledge test $175 PSI voucher price
  • AMP Powerplant knowledge test $175 PSI voucher price
  • Oral & Practical (DME fee) Set by the DME (a reasonable fee, agreed before the test)
  • FAA Handbooks (FAA-H-8083-30/31/32) FREE PDF
  • Commercial prep software, textbooks, and FAR/AIM Varies by publisher

Confirm the individual knowledge-test fee with PSI when you schedule; JSAMTCC-eligible military applicants may take the knowledge tests at no cost. Part 147 school tuition (if chosen pathway) is separate and varies by school.

Deep Dive: ACS Codes on Your Knowledge Test Report

Every AMT knowledge test question is coded to an element of FAA-S-ACS-1 . After your test, the Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) lists the ACS code for each question you missed, in the form AM.I.A.K1 (Aviation Mechanic, Section I General, Subject A, Knowledge element 1). Use the codes to diagnose weak areas precisely.

ACS Subject Letters

General (Section I): A Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics, B Aircraft Drawings, C Weight and Balance, D Fluid Lines and Fittings, E Aircraft Materials, Hardware, and Processes, F Ground Operations and Servicing, G Cleaning and Corrosion Control, H Mathematics, I Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications, J Physics for Aviation, K Inspection Concepts and Techniques, L Human Factors.

Airframe (Section II): A Metallic Structures through O Water and Waste Systems (15 subjects).

Powerplant (Section III): A Reciprocating Engines through M Propellers (13 subjects).

When you review your AKTR, every missed code tells the DME what to retest in the oral portion of the O&P (FAA-G-ACS-1). Arrive at the O&P with remedial study complete on every coded subject.

Knowledge Test Question Styles — What to Expect

Expect these common question formats across AMG, AMA, and AMP. Recognizing the pattern lets you parse quickly.

1. Direct Recall

"Within what period must an aircraft used for paid flight instruction in an instructor-provided airplane receive an annual or 100-hour inspection?"

Answer one: a specific rule or number memorized from the reference. Drill these with flashcards.

  • 2. Calculation
  • "An aircraft weighs 2,400 lb empty at station 85. After adding 180 lb at station 120, what is the new CG?"

Solution: compute new moment, divide by new weight. Practice math problems under time pressure so the clock does not cost you questions.

  • 3. Diagram Interpretation (Embedded Images since April 2026)
  • "Refer to the attached figure. What component is indicated by letter B?"

Since April 2026, AMT test figures are embedded in the question itself; the paper testing supplement stays available until the FAA sets a removal date (FAA Airman Testing Community Advisory, September 2026). Practice reading figures from the FAA-CT-8080-4G supplement.

  • 4. Regulatory Citation
  • "Under 14 CFR Part 43.3, who may perform maintenance on a certificated aircraft?"

Memorize Part 43, Part 65, and Part 91 highlights; regulations are one of the 12 General subjects.

5. Scenario / Troubleshooting

"During runup, the magneto check shows a 200 RPM drop on the left mag and 50 RPM drop on the right mag. What is the most likely cause?"

Apply system knowledge. Usually one answer is technically correct; two are plausible-but-wrong distractors.

  • 6. Exception / Negative Phrasing
  • "Which of the following is NOT a required item on a 100-hour inspection per Part 43 Appendix D?"

Read carefully: negative phrasing rewards slow, careful reading.

  • Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
  • Pitfall 1: Scheduling the O&P too early

Booking the O&P right after passing AMP can leave no time to practice hands-on tasks. Plan dedicated O&P prep time inside the 24-month window — do not rush into the DME appointment.

Pitfall 2: Neglecting 14 CFR Part 43 and Part 65

Many candidates over-focus on system knowledge and under-study regulations. Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications is a General subject (5–10% of the AMG test in the FAA blueprint), and records and privileges come up in the O&P. Read Parts 43 and 65 cover to cover at least twice.

Pitfall 3: Ignoring AC 43.13-1B

Advisory Circular 43.13-1B ("Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices — Aircraft Inspection and Repair") is the DME's default reference for "is this repair acceptable?" questions. If you cannot navigate 43.13-1B during the O&P, you will struggle.

Pitfall 4: Weak on turbine engines (experience-path candidates)

If your 30 months of experience is 100% piston-GA, you will struggle on the turbine portion of AMP and the O&P. Spend dedicated time on turbine engine chapters of FAA-H-8083-32B even if you have never touched a jet engine.

Pitfall 5: Treating Prepware as the whole study plan

Commercial question banks are not the FAA's live questions (the FAA does not release them), and passing them does not mean you understand the underlying concepts. Read the textbook first, then drill questions. DMEs can tell when a candidate memorized answers without understanding.

Pitfall 6: Poor logbook documentation for the experience pathway

Vague employer letters or logbook entries can delay FSDO approval. Log tasks by date, aircraft N-number, and specific maintenance action. Generic "worked on aircraft" entries will be rejected.

  • Test-Day Tips
  • Before the Knowledge Test

Arrive 30 minutes early at the PSI center with valid, current identification showing your photo, date of birth, signature, and residential address (the FAA testing matrix lets this information come from more than one document).

Bring your test authorization : the FAA Form 8610-2 signed by the FSDO inspector, your authenticated Part 147 school document, or a military Certificate of Eligibility.

Check PSI's current rules on calculators and personal items before test day.

During the Knowledge Test

Flag and skip questions you're unsure about. The testing software allows review.

For weight-and-balance and math problems, write out each step on scratch paper.

Watch out for double-negative phrasing common on FAA tests ("Which is NOT true...").

Before the O&P

Show up dressed like a working mechanic — clean work clothes and safety footwear.

Bring two identically prepared FAA Forms 8610-2 , your passing AKTRs, a government photo ID, and your eligibility document.

The examiner provides the tools, equipment, and references for the practical; personal tools are used only at the examiner's discretion, other reference material is not allowed, and a nonprogrammable calculator is permitted where appropriate (FAA-G-ACS-1).

During the O&P

In the oral, no references are allowed ; if you don't know, say so rather than guess. In the practical, find and apply the right data in the references the examiner provides.

Talk through your reasoning — DMEs want to see how you think, not just what you know.

Double-check torque values and safety-wire patterns before declaring a task complete.

The Career After the Certificate

Demand is strong (see the BLS and Boeing figures above), and the A&P opens several employer types.

Entry-Level Paths

Airline line maintenance — mainline passenger airlines and cargo carriers. BLS reports a May 2025 median of $96,170 for aircraft mechanics in air transportation.

Regional airlines — a common first airline job, with a faster path to experience on transport-category aircraft.

Cargo carriers — overnight hub operations; BLS reports a May 2025 median of $90,190 in couriers and express delivery services.

Part 145 repair stations — overhaul shops for engines, components, and interiors, with steady hours (BLS: $72,910 median in support activities for air transportation).

General aviation / FBOs — smaller operations and broader hands-on experience, often including the inspection work that leads toward IA.

Corporate / business aviation — fractional operators and corporate flight departments, often with type-specific training.

The IA Upgrade (Year 3+)

Once both ratings have been in effect for a total of at least 3 years, and after at least the 2-year period before applying spent actively maintaining certificated aircraft, you can pursue Inspection Authorization (IA) under 14 CFR 65.91:

Prerequisites: Airframe and Powerplant ratings each in effect for a total of at least 3 years, active maintenance for at least the 2-year period before applying, a fixed base of operations, and the equipment, facilities, and inspection data needed.

Test: IAR knowledge test, 50 questions, 3.0 hours, 70% to pass, minimum age 21 (FAA testing matrix).

Privileges: Perform annual inspections, perform or supervise progressive inspections, and approve major repairs and alterations (Form 337) for return to service (14 CFR 65.95).

Renewal: Every IA expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year . Renewal is for a 2-year period : present evidence in March of the odd-numbered year, with one qualifying activity completed by March 31 of the first year and another during the second year (for example, annual inspections, major repairs, progressive inspections, a refresher course of at least 8 hours, or an FAA oral test) (14 CFR 65.92–65.93).

Pay Data

BLS reports a May 2025 median of $79,870 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011), with the lowest 10% earning less than $48,780 and the top 10% more than $128,890 . Pay varies by employer type, region, seniority, and overtime.

  • 2026 Updates You Must Know
  • FAA Airman Testing Community Advisory (February 2026)

Per the FAA's February 2026 Airman Testing Community Advisory, embedded images will be added to the AMG, AMA, and AMP knowledge tests effective April 2026 (private, commercial, and sport pilot tests already switched over). This change affects how diagrams appear in AMG/AMA/AMP questions (previously candidates received a separate supplement booklet). No content changes to the ACS were announced — only the presentation format. Separately, PSI began an assessment of the AMT knowledge tests in early 2026. The September 2026 advisory confirms the AMG, AMA, and AMP tests now feature embedded images, says the date for removing printed testing supplements from test centers has not been set (candidates keep access until then), and says modifications based on PSI's assessment are anticipated in 2027 . The FAA also activated updated General practical test projects on April 20, 2026.

Part 147 Curriculum Rules

The 2022 rewrite of 14 CFR Part 147 (Amdt. 147-9) removed fixed curriculum-hour minimums. A school's curriculum must be designed around FAA-S-ACS-1, and the school must keep at least a 70% pass rate for graduates who take an FAA mechanic test within 60 days of graduation (14 CFR 147.17 and 147.25).

Knowledge-Test Fees at PSI

The FAA's mechanic page directs applicants to PSI for current pricing. PSI's organizational voucher price is $175 per test ; confirm the individual fee with PSI when scheduling. JSAMTCC-eligible military applicants may test at no cost.

High-Yield Memory Aids for the Knowledge Tests

These memory aids cover facts from the FAA handbooks that recur across the test subjects. Commit them to memory before test day.

  • The "Dirty Dozen" Human Factors (appears on AMG)
  • Lack of communication
  • Complacency
  • Lack of knowledge
  • Distraction
  • Lack of teamwork
  • Fatigue
  • Lack of resources
  • Pressure
  • Lack of assertiveness
  • Stress
  • Lack of awareness
  • Norms (workplace culture shortcuts)

Memory trick: Transport Canada identified these twelve human factors that degrade people's ability to work effectively and safely and can lead to maintenance errors (FAA-H-8083-30B).

  • Magneto Check — Causes of Excessive RPM Drop
  • Fouled spark plugs
  • Faulty ignition leads
  • Improper magneto timing
  • Worn breaker points or condenser failure

A zero drop when one magneto is selected is a safety problem, not a good result: the magneto that should be switched off is not grounding (an open P-lead or a faulty switch), so the engine is still firing on both. That magneto stays hot and may fire if the propeller is turned (FAA-H-8083-32B). A grounded P-lead does the opposite: it kills that magneto.

  • Differential Compression Check — Threshold Values
  • Test pressure: 80 PSI regulated, piston at top dead center on the compression stroke

Compare the cylinder reading with the minimum specified for the engine being tested in the manufacturer's procedure (FAA-H-8083-32B).

  • Firing Order — Common Engines
  • Four-cylinder opposed: 1-3-2-4 on one model, 1-4-2-3 on another (FAA-H-8083-32B)
  • Six-cylinder opposed: 1-4-5-2-3-6 (FAA-H-8083-32B; Lycoming); a six-cylinder Continental fires 1-6-3-2-5-4

Cylinder numbering differs between manufacturers, so confirm the firing order in the engine data.

  • Rivet Spacing Rules of Thumb
  • Edge distance: 2D minimum, 2.5D preferred (where D = rivet shank diameter)
  • Pitch (rivet-to-rivet along a row): 3D minimum, 4-6D typical
  • Transverse pitch (row-to-row): 2.5D minimum, 4.5D typical
  • Wood Structure Inspection — Common Defects
  • Dry rot — soft, crumbly texture; reject
  • Decay — discoloration and softness; reject
  • Compression failure — short wrinkles across the grain; reject
  • Loose grain / delamination — glue joint separation; reject
  • Spike knots, pitch pockets — structurally suspect; inspect closely
  • Oil Grade Designations

Aviation grade vs. SAE number (FAA-H-8083-32B Figure 6-3): grade 65 = SAE 30, grade 80 = SAE 40, grade 100 = SAE 50, grade 120 = SAE 60

Multi-grade (e.g., 15W-50) — broader operating temperature range

AD (ashless dispersant) oils — the W before the grade (W80, W100) marks ashless dispersant oil; the dispersant holds contaminants in suspension for the filter, and it is not a detergent , so it does not clean off old deposits

Straight mineral oil — no dispersant; generally used to break in a new or overhauled engine, or after a cylinder replacement, until oil consumption stabilizes, because some AD oil additives may retard ring break-in (always follow the engine manufacturer)

Turbine Engine Pressure Ratio

Pt2 is total pressure at the engine inlet and Pt7 is total pressure at the turbine discharge, so EPR = Pt7 ÷ Pt2 (FAA-H-8083-32B).

EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature), ITT (Interstage Turbine Temperature), and TGT (Turbine Gas Temperature) probes sit at different locations depending on the manufacturer.

Recommended Resources

FREE FAA A&P Practice Questions — Unlimited drill for General, Airframe, and Powerplant, with detailed explanations. 100% free.

ASA Prepware for A&P (2026 edition) — Industry standard; covers all three tests with realistic simulation mode.

Jeppesen A&P Technician Prepware — Alternative to ASA; some candidates prefer the explanations.

Dale Crane Aviation Maintenance Technician Series — Three books (General, Airframe, Powerplant).

FAA-H-8083-30 (General), FAA-H-8083-31B (Airframe), FAA-H-8083-32B (Powerplant) — Free PDF downloads from faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation .

AC 43.13-1B and AC 43.13-2B — Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices. Essential for the O&P.

FAR/AIM 2026 edition — ASA or Aviation Supplies & Academics publishes a consolidated paperback updated annually.

FAA-G-ACS-1, Companion Guide to the Aviation Mechanic ACS — written-test blueprints, AKTR rules, and how the O&P works (free PDF on faa.gov).

Frequently Overlooked Details

Single ratings are allowed. You can take General plus only the Airframe test and earn an Airframe-only certificate (or Powerplant-only); many candidates pursue both ratings.

Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). After each knowledge test you receive an AKTR showing your score and the ACS codes for any questions you missed. Bring all passing AKTRs to the O&P — the oral retests the coded subjects.

O&P retest scope. A failed oral is retested for the entire failed section (General, Airframe, or Powerplant); a failed practical, for the failed projects plus any areas not tested. Retests follow 14 CFR 65.19 (30 days, or sooner with a signed statement of additional instruction) (FAA-G-ACS-1).

Lost an AKTR? For tests taken on or after January 13, 2020, reprint it free at faa.psiexams.com (FAA-G-ACS-1).

Final Checklist Before Test Day

Test authorization : FAA Form 8610-2 signed by an FSDO inspector, an authenticated Part 147 school document, or a military Certificate of Eligibility.

Valid, current ID showing photo, date of birth, signature, and residential address.

PSI confirmation with date, time, and center address.

Prepware scores consistently 85%+ on all sections for 2 weeks.

Bathroom break and meal before arriving at PSI.

Calculator and personal items — check PSI's current rules.

Arrive 30 minutes early — late arrivals may forfeit the appointment fee.

Bottom Line

The FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification is one of the most rewarding, stable, and in-demand credentials in American industry. The barrier to entry — 3 knowledge tests and an Oral & Practical , all passed within 24 months — is real but passable with a structured plan, the right references (FAA handbooks + FAA-S-ACS-1 + a textbook), and consistent hands-on practice with a mentor or during Part 147 school.

Start with the General test , use our free FAA A&P practice questions to drill daily, budget about $525 for the three PSI knowledge tests plus your DME's O&P fee, and book the O&P well inside the 24-month window.

BLS puts the May 2025 median for aircraft mechanics and service technicians at $79,870 , with the top 10% above $128,890 .

Ready to start? Jump into our FREE FAA A&P practice questions and begin the journey to your mechanic certificate.