Troubleshooting Techniques & Inspection Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real ACS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Troubleshooting Techniques & Inspection Standards flashcards as text
When performing a dye penetrant inspection, what is the correct sequence of steps?
Answer: Clean surface, apply penetrant, remove excess, apply developer, inspect
The correct dye penetrant sequence is: clean the surface, apply penetrant and allow dwell time, remove excess penetrant, apply developer, then inspect under appropriate lighting.
An aircraft's ELT activates inadvertently on the ground. What is the required action?
Answer: Notify ATC immediately and deactivate the ELT as quickly as possible
An inadvertent ELT activation must be silenced immediately, and ATC must be notified to prevent unnecessary search and rescue operations.
Which inspection method is best suited for detecting fatigue cracks in thick aluminum wing spars where cracks may be below the surface?
Answer: Ultrasonic inspection
Ultrasonic inspection can penetrate thick aluminum to detect subsurface fatigue cracks, whereas surface methods like dye penetrant and eddy current only detect surface or near-surface defects.
When troubleshooting an intermittent avionics failure, what is the recommended first approach?
Answer: Duplicate the failure condition, inspect connectors and wiring for corrosion or loose connections
Intermittent avionics faults are most commonly caused by poor connections; inspecting connectors and wiring while attempting to duplicate the failure is the systematic first step.
A landing gear retraction test reveals the gear takes 12 seconds to retract, while the maintenance manual specifies 6-8 seconds maximum. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Low hydraulic fluid level or reduced hydraulic pump output
Slow gear retraction is typically caused by low hydraulic fluid, a worn pump with insufficient flow, or a restriction in the hydraulic circuit.
During a structural inspection, a mechanic finds a corrosion pit in an aluminum structural member. Which measurement determines if the component remains airworthy?
Answer: The depth of the pit compared to the material thickness and manufacturer's allowable limits
Corrosion pit depth relative to material thickness is the critical measurement because excessive pitting reduces structural cross-section below allowable limits.
An aircraft with a Continental fuel-injected engine experiences engine roughness after takeoff that smooths out as power is reduced. This symptom most closely suggests:
Answer: A rich mixture condition, possibly caused by a malfunctioning fuel control unit
Roughness at high power that smooths at reduced power suggests an over-rich condition, as excess fuel is more problematic at higher power where flow is greatest.