A&P Airframe Practice Test: FAA Aviation Mechanic Written Exam

129 practice questions on sheet metal, composites, flight controls, landing gear, hydraulics, environmental, instruments, fuel, electrical, ice, fire and rotorcraft, one topic list straight from the FAA's own Airman Certification Standards. We wrote every question from the FAA handbook, and each answer links the handbook page it comes from. The real Airframe test is 100 questions at 70%.

The real test: 100 questions. 70 right (70%) passes.

Passing score: FAA knowledge test passing score (70%), the codes on your test report, and retesting

Here: 129 questions. Our own practice questions, written from the FAA's Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook (FAA-H-8083-31B), a U.S. government work. Topics follow the Aviation Mechanic ACS (FAA-S-ACS-1). Not the FAA's test questions. Free.

What's on the test

10 sample questions

1. What is the minimum edge distance for a universal-head rivet?

   • A.1 times the rivet diameter
   • B.3 times the rivet diameter
   • C.2 times the rivet diameter
   • D.4 times the rivet diameter
   Show answer

   C. 2 times the rivet diameter

   AMA-1 · Metallic structures · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 195

2. Tap testing a composite panel, what sound points to a delamination or disbond?

   • A.A high-pitched squeal
   • B.No sound at all
   • C.A sharp, clear ring that carries farther than on good structure
   • D.A dull, thud-like sound
   Show answer

   D. A dull, thud-like sound

   AMA-8 · Non-metallic structures · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 352

3. How many threads may show outside a turnbuckle barrel once it is installed?

   • A.At least five
   • B.None may show
   • C.No more than three on either side
   • D.No more than one on either side, so the terminal threads stay fully engaged
   Show answer

   C. No more than three on either side

   AMA-12 · Flight controls · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 115

4. On a landing gear inspection, what should you check tires for?

   • A.Only inflation
   • B.Wear, cuts, deterioration, grease or oil, slippage mark alignment and inflation
   • C.Only the manufacture date, since aircraft tires are retired by age rather than by wear or condition
   • D.Only tread depth
   Show answer

   B. Wear, cuts, deterioration, grease or oil, slippage mark alignment and inflation

   AMA-16 · Airframe inspection · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 756

5. What does a typical air/oil (oleo) shock strut use to absorb landing loads?

   • A.Compressed air or nitrogen combined with hydraulic fluid
   • B.Steel springs only
   • C.Rubber bungees
   • D.Compressed oxygen
   Show answer

   A. Compressed air or nitrogen combined with hydraulic fluid

   AMA-18 · Landing gear · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 738

6. What color is mineral-based hydraulic fluid MIL-H-5606?

   • A.Purple
   • B.Red
   • C.Green
   • D.Blue
   Show answer

   B. Red

   AMA-21 · Hydraulic and pneumatic · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 681

7. What refrigerant do most aircraft vapor cycle air conditioning systems use?

   • A.Nitrogen
   • B.Ammonia
   • C.R134a (tetrafluoroethane)
   • D.R-12 (Freon), still the standard refrigerant for aircraft
   Show answer

   C. R134a (tetrafluoroethane)

   AMA-26 · Environmental systems · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 954

8. Which pressure system is the altimeter connected to?

   • A.Static only
   • B.Both pitot and static
   • C.Pitot only
   • D.Vacuum
   Show answer

   A. Static only

   AMA-31 · Instrument systems · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 531

9. What frequency should a pilot listen on before shutdown to check for an accidental ELT activation?

   • A.118.0 MHz
   • B.121.5 MHz
   • C.243.0 MHz
   • D.406 MHz
   Show answer

   B. 121.5 MHz

   AMA-35 · Communications · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 132

10. What is the best way to keep water out of aircraft fuel overnight?

    • A.Open the fuel caps to let them breathe
    • B.Fill the tanks right after each flight
    • C.Add jet fuel
    • D.Leave the tanks nearly empty
    Show answer

    B. Fill the tanks right after each flight

    AMA-37 · Fuel systems · FAA-H-8083-31B, PDF page 830

What the study guide does

• Short study rounds and flip cards.
• A practice test built like the real one: 100 questions, 70 to pass.
• Pass Meter: your chance of passing if you sat the test today, worked out from your own answers.
• An explanation for every answer.