10 realistic FAA A&P–style questions covering 14 CFR regulations, General practices, Airframe, Powerplant, and Electrical. Click to reveal the answer and explanation.
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These 10 sample questions represent the type of questions you will encounter on the FAA A&P written tests. Each question covers a specific subject area from the Aviation Mechanic ACS — 14 CFR regulations, general maintenance practices, airframe structures, powerplant systems, and electrical systems.
Click the Show Answer button under each question to see the correct answer, a detailed explanation, and the regulatory reference. Use these questions to assess your readiness and identify areas that need more study.
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According to 14 CFR §43.9, which of the following must be included in a maintenance record entry after you return an aircraft to service?
✅ Correct Answer: B: A description of the work (or a reference to data acceptable to the FAA), the date of completion, and your name and certificate number
14 CFR §43.9 requires a record entry containing a description of the work performed (or a reference to data acceptable to the FAA), the date of completion, and your name, signature, and certificate number. Cost, registration, or pilot information are not part of the maintenance record entry.
Reference: 14 CFR §43.9
Under 14 CFR §65.73, what is the minimum practical experience requirement to be eligible for BOTH the Airframe and Powerplant ratings?
✅ Correct Answer: C: 30 months of practical experience
14 CFR §65.73 requires 18 months of practical experience for a single rating and 30 months for both Airframe and Powerplant — or graduation from an FAA-approved Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School, which substitutes for the entire experience requirement.
Reference: 14 CFR §65.73, §65.77
According to 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A, which of the following tasks is classified as preventive maintenance?
✅ Correct Answer: B: Servicing landing gear wheel bearings
Part 43 Appendix A(c) lists preventive maintenance items, which include servicing landing gear wheel bearings, changing engine oil, and replacing tires. Overhauls, strut replacements, and structural repairs are not preventive maintenance and require a certificated mechanic.
Reference: 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A(c)
An aircraft is used for flight instruction (for hire). Under 14 CFR §91.409, how often must it receive a 100-hour inspection?
✅ Correct Answer: B: Every 100 hours of time in service since the last 100-hour inspection
14 CFR §91.409(b) requires a 100-hour inspection for aircraft used to carry passengers for hire or in flight instruction for hire — within each 100 hours of time in service since the last 100-hour inspection. The annual inspection (12 calendar months) applies to all certificated aircraft regardless of use.
Reference: 14 CFR §91.409
During a retraction test of a main landing gear on a transport category aircraft, the gear fails to lock in the down position. What is the MOST likely cause if the hydraulic system pressure is within limits?
✅ Correct Answer: C: A damaged or misadjusted downlock spring or actuator mechanism
When hydraulic pressure is normal but the gear does not lock down, the mechanical downlock mechanism is the primary suspect. The downlock spring or mechanical actuator physically holds the gear in the extended position. A failed microswitch affects the indication (lights/warnings), not the actual locking function.
Reference: ATA 32 — Landing Gear, AMM Chapter 32
According to AC 43.13-1B, what is the minimum edge distance for a single row of flush rivets in a aluminium alloy sheet repair?
✅ Correct Answer: B: 2.5 times the rivet diameter
AC 43.13-1B Chapter 4 specifies a minimum edge distance (distance from the centre of the rivet hole to the edge of the sheet) of 2.5 times the rivet diameter for a single row of flush rivets on aluminium alloy structures. For a double row, the minimum edge distance increases to 3 times the rivet diameter.
Reference: AC 43.13-1B, Chapter 4, Table 4-1
During a hot section inspection on a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engine, you find several turbine blades with heavy sulphidation corrosion. What is the MOST appropriate action?
✅ Correct Answer: C: Replace all affected blades in the stage as a set, or follow the engine manual instructions
Turbine blades with sulphidation corrosion must be handled in accordance with the engine manufacturer's manual. Depending on the extent of corrosion, the manual may require replacement of all blades in a stage as a set to maintain dynamic balance and aerodynamic consistency. Blending is generally not permitted on turbine airfoils with structural corrosion damage.
Reference: ATA 72 — Engine (Turbine), P&WC PT6A Maintenance Manual
When troubleshooting a constant-speed propeller that does not feather during a ground feathering check, which of the following is the MOST likely cause if the propeller will unfeather normally?
✅ Correct Answer: A: Low engine oil pressure
Constant-speed propellers use engine oil pressure to move toward fine pitch (low pitch/high RPM) and centrifugal counterweights or springs to move toward coarse pitch/feather. If the propeller will not feather but unfeathers normally, it suggests insufficient oil pressure to overcome the feathering spring force. The governor feathering valve solenoid is electrical — if seized, it would affect both feathering and unfeathering.
Reference: ATA 61 — Propellers, Hartzell/McCauley Maintenance Manuals
A technician is troubleshooting an intermittent failure in a VHF communication transceiver. The pilot reports that the radio works intermittently and sometimes fails completely during flight. The antenna, coax cable, and connectors have all been tested and are within limits. What should the technician check NEXT?
✅ Correct Answer: C: Perform a bonding and grounding check of the radio rack and airframe ground path
When the antenna system checks out but the radio is intermittent, intermittent bonding or grounding of the radio rack is a common cause. A poor ground path can cause erratic behaviour as vibration and temperature changes affect the connection. Checking the radio rack's bond to the airframe ground (typically less than 2.5 milliohms per MIL-STD-464) should be done before swapping components.
Reference: ATA 23 — Communications, AC 43.13-1B Chapter 11
A Cessna 172R is brought in for its annual inspection. The engine is a Lycoming IO-360. During compression check, cylinder #3 shows 30/80 psi while the rest are 72/80 or higher. The technician performs a differential compression test and confirms leakage through the exhaust valve. What is the correct course of action?
✅ Correct Answer: B: Remove the cylinder, inspect the valve and seat, lap or replace as necessary, and reassemble per the engine manufacturer's instructions
When differential compression shows leakage confirmed through the exhaust valve, the correct procedure is to remove the cylinder for inspection. The valve and seat must be inspected for burns, pitting, or carbon buildup. Depending on the condition, lapping the valve or replacing the valve/seat may be required. Reassembly must follow the engine manufacturer's instructions (torque values, ring gap, etc.). Option A is incorrect because replacing only one cylinder without inspecting the root cause is incomplete maintenance.
Reference: Lycoming IO-360 Maintenance Manual, AC 43.13-1B Chapter 6
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