Volume One
General
Every mechanic applicant takes General first, whichever rating they want: 60 questions in 2 hours on the AMG, the groundwork Airframe and Powerplant build on.
In preparation
FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician
Five volumes for the mechanic certificate.
One book for each knowledge test, one supplement for the figures all three tests share and one guide for the oral and practical tests with your examiner.
In preparation
New to aviation maintenance? Start here
Earn one rating now, add the other later.
The FAA issues one Mechanic Certificate. It carries an Airframe rating, a Powerplant rating or both. Holding both is what people mean by an A&P.
Every applicant passes the General knowledge test first, whichever rating they want. Then comes the knowledge test for each rating sought, and finally oral and practical tests with an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner.
How the FAA certificate worksMechanic CertificateRatings
AirframePowerplant
One certificate. Either rating alone, or both for the full A&P.
Diagram, not an actual certificateAge and language18 or older
Able to read, write, speak and understand English. §65.71
ExperienceSchool or hands-on time
A Part 147 school, or 18 months of practical experience for one rating, or 30 months for both. §65.77
TestsKnowledge, then oral and practical
General first, then Airframe and/or Powerplant, then the oral and practical tests. §§65.75 and 65.79
Time limit24 months
All required tests must be passed within a 24-month period. §65.71
- GeneralRequired for either rating (Volume One)
- Airframe and/or PowerplantKnowledge tests AMA, AMP, Volumes Two and Three
- Oral and practicalWith an examiner, for each rating (Volume Five)
- Certificate issuedWith the rating or ratings you earned
Volume Four, the Chart and Figure Supplement, is used alongside all three written tests. The General, Airframe and Powerplant tests also carry questions with images embedded in the question itself, under the FAA’s Graphics Conversion Project, so practice reading figures you have not seen before rather than only the ones a supplement hands you.
Which books do I need?
Choose the rating you are working toward.
✓ You need thisRequired for either rating✓ You need thisAirframe rating✓ You need thisPowerplant rating✓ You need thisUsed with every written test✓ You need thisOral & practical tests
Both ratings (A&P)
5 books, The Complete A&P SetFive volumes, three written tests
The Maintenance series
General, Airframe and Powerplant, one volume and one knowledge test each. Volume Four is the figure supplement all three tests hand you, and Volume Five is the oral and practical, organized to the Aviation Mechanic ACS.
Volume Two
Airframe
Sheet metal and composites through landing gear, hydraulics, fuel and ice protection: the Airframe knowledge test (AMA), 100 questions in 2 hours.
In preparation
Volume Three
Powerplant
Ignition, fuel metering, lubrication, propellers and fire protection, on reciprocating and turbine engines alike: the Powerplant test (AMP), 100 questions in 2 hours.
In preparation
Volume Four
The Chart and Figure Supplement
One supplement for General, Airframe and Powerplant: the charts, tables and drawings the mechanic tests refer to, each with a walkthrough.
In preparation
Volume Five
The Oral and Practical Guide
What the examiner asks, the projects you are assigned and the standard your work has to meet, for the oral and practical tests with a Designated Mechanic Examiner.
In preparation
In preparation
The Complete A&P Set
General, Airframe, Powerplant, the Chart and Figure Supplement and the Oral and Practical Guide, with the Maintenance Exam Engine.
- Volume One: General
- Volume Two: Airframe
- Volume Three: Powerplant
- Volume Four: The Chart and Figure Supplement
- Volume Five: The Oral and Practical Guide
- Maintenance Exam Engine
Get notified at launchOnly need one rating? Airframe Path, Powerplant Path
Free download
Get the free Aviation Maintenance Starter Kit
The General, Airframe and Powerplant areas from the ACS, and how the three tests fit together.
- 01The AMG, AMA and AMP knowledge areas from the Aviation Mechanic ACS, which is where 14 CFR 65.75(a) sends you, because the mechanic areas are not listed in the regulation itself.
- 02How the FAA knowledge test works: booking, ID, the time you get, the figure booklet and what the score report tells you.
- 03The order to sit the three tests in, and what the oral and practical adds on top.
No cost, and no card. The kit is useful whether or not you buy the series.
Private Pilot opens when checkout does. The Part 107 series is finished and goes on sale when checkout opens.