ACS ACS Professional Development 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: To exercise Inspection Authorization (IA) privileges, a mechanic must hold an IA for at least how long before it must be renewed?
- 6 months
- 12 months (Correct answer)
- 24 months
- It never expires
Correct answer: 12 months
An Inspection Authorization must be renewed annually (every 12 calendar months) by meeting one of the renewal activity requirements in 14 CFR 65.93.
Question 2: Under 14 CFR 65.83, a certificated mechanic must have performed or supervised work in the aviation maintenance field within the preceding how many months to exercise certificate privileges?
- 12 months
- 24 months (Correct answer)
- 36 months
- 6 months
Correct answer: 24 months
14 CFR 65.83 requires mechanics to have performed or supervised at least 6 months of work within the preceding 24 months to exercise certificate privileges.
Question 3: A mechanic discovers that a repair was incorrectly performed by a previous technician. Under professional and regulatory standards, the mechanic should:
- Sign off the work since it is not their error
- Document the discrepancy and refuse to approve the aircraft until it is corrected (Correct answer)
- Perform a risk assessment and decide independently
- Notify the owner only if the aircraft is about to fly
Correct answer: Document the discrepancy and refuse to approve the aircraft until it is corrected
A mechanic has a professional and regulatory obligation to document discrepancies and withhold approval for return to service until all known airworthiness issues are resolved.
Question 4: Which 14 CFR Part governs the certification of aviation mechanics?
- Part 43
- Part 65 (Correct answer)
- Part 91
- Part 147
Correct answer: Part 65
14 CFR Part 65 covers airmen other than flight crewmembers, including the certification requirements and privileges of aviation mechanics.
Question 5: The FAA's Aviation Safety Hotline (1-800-255-1111) is used to report:
- Near-midair collisions only
- Alleged violations of aviation regulations or safety concerns (Correct answer)
- Weather hazards to ATC
- Lost or stolen airman certificates
Correct answer: Alleged violations of aviation regulations or safety concerns
The FAA Safety Hotline allows anyone to anonymously report suspected regulatory violations or safety hazards to the FAA.
Question 6: Continuing education for a certificated mechanic is:
- Mandatory with specific hour requirements every two years
- Required only for IA holders
- Not legally mandated but strongly encouraged for professional development (Correct answer)
- Mandatory only for turbine-rated mechanics
Correct answer: Not legally mandated but strongly encouraged for professional development
While no specific continuing education hours are legally required for a basic A&P certificate, professional development and staying current with technology is strongly encouraged by the FAA.
Question 7: A mechanic's certificate, once issued, is:
- Valid for two years and must be renewed
- Valid for life unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked (Correct answer)
- Valid as long as annual recurrency training is completed
- Valid only while employed by a certificated repair station
Correct answer: Valid for life unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked
An FAA mechanic certificate is issued for life and does not expire; however, privileges can only be exercised if the currency requirements of 14 CFR 65.83 are met.
ACS ACS Professional Development 3
To exercise Inspection Authorization (IA) privileges, a mechanic must hold an IA for at least how long before it must be renewed?