The FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate is your gateway to a rewarding career maintaining and repairing aircraft. Here is your complete roadmap from eligibility to certification.
Becoming an FAA-certified airframe mechanic requires completing an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) school program of 1,900 curriculum hours — or accumulating 30 months of practical experience on airframes — followed by passing three written knowledge tests and a hands-on practical exam. The full A&P certificate authorizes you to inspect, repair, and return aircraft to service, with median salaries ranging from $65,000 to over $100,000 depending on employer and location.
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The Airframe Mechanic Certification exam uses a multiple-choice format with questions covering all major domains. Most versions allow 2-3 hours for completion.
Questions test both knowledge recall and application skills. A score of 70-75% is typically required to pass.
Start early: Begin studying 4-8 weeks before your exam date.
Practice tests: Take at least 3 full-length practice exams.
Focus areas: Spend extra time on topics where you score below 70%.
Review method: After each practice test, review every incorrect answer with the explanation.
Before the exam: Get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy meal, and arrive 30 minutes early.
During the exam: Read each question carefully, eliminate obvious wrong answers, flag difficult questions for review, and manage your time.
After the exam: Results are typically available within 1-4 weeks depending on the testing organization.
An airframe mechanic specializes in the non-engine structural and mechanical systems of an aircraft. While the term "airframe mechanic" focuses on the airframe rating, most professionals pursue the full A&P certificate, which covers both airframe and powerplant systems.
Core airframe mechanic responsibilities include:
Airframe mechanics work in hangars, on flight lines, and at maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. The work is physically demanding and requires attention to detail — a missed defect can have serious safety consequences. Test your airframe knowledge with our Aircraft Structures Practice Quiz.
The FAA sets two pathways to qualify for the Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificate under 14 CFR Part 65:
Pathway 1: FAA-Approved AMT School (Most Common)
Pathway 2: Practical Experience
Basic eligibility (both pathways):
The school pathway is recommended for most people because it provides structured training, hands-on lab work, and direct exam eligibility. Military veterans with aircraft maintenance specialties often qualify immediately through the experience pathway.
Choosing the right Aviation Maintenance Technician school is one of the most important decisions in your career path. Here is what to look for and what to expect:
Types of AMT programs:
What AMT school covers:
The FAA Part 147 curriculum includes three subject areas that mirror the certification exams:
Most programs include substantial hands-on lab time where you work on actual aircraft components, engines, and systems. The best schools maintain training aircraft and modern avionics trainers.
Financial aid: AMT programs qualify for federal financial aid (FAFSA), VA benefits (GI Bill), and many state workforce development grants. Some airlines offer tuition reimbursement programs for students who commit to working for them after graduation.
After completing your training or accumulating the required experience, you must pass FAA exams to earn your airframe mechanic certificate:
Written Knowledge Tests (computerized):
Oral and Practical (O&P) Exam:
This is the final and most comprehensive exam, administered by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME):
Prepare thoroughly with our practice quizzes covering key exam areas: Aircraft Structures and Flight Control Systems.
The aviation maintenance industry is experiencing a significant technician shortage, making this an excellent time to enter the field.
Industry demand:
Where A&P mechanics work:
Career advancement paths:
Visit our Airframe Mechanic Certification masterpage for additional study resources and practice tests to help you pass your FAA exams on the first attempt.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| FAA has a defined, publicly available content blueprint — candidates know exactly what to prepare for | The scope of tested content requires substantial preparation time that competes with existing professional or academic commitments |
| Multiple preparation pathways (self-study, courses, coaching) accommodate different learning styles and schedules | No single resource covers the full content scope — candidates typically need multiple study tools for comprehensive preparation |
| A growing ecosystem of study resources means candidates at any budget level can access quality preparation materials | Test anxiety and exam-day performance variability mean preparation effort does not always translate linearly to scores |
| Clear score reporting allows candidates to identify specific strengths and weaknesses for targeted remediation | Registration, preparation, and potential retake costs accumulate into a significant financial investment |
| Professional recognition associated with strong performance provides tangible career and academic benefits | Content and format can change between exam versions, making older preparation materials less reliable |
Try these questions from our free Airframe Mechanic Certification practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which condition would cause high oil temperature and low oil pressure simultaneously in a reciprocating engine?
Answer: B. Low oil quantity
Low oil quantity means less oil is available to absorb heat and maintain pressure, causing both high temperature and low pressure simultaneously.
A technician inspecting a multi-disc brake system notices that one of the brakes is dragging after pressure is released. Which of the following is a plausible cause for this issue?
Answer: C. A weak or broken return spring in the brake assembly.
Brake drag occurs when the brake pads do not fully retract from the rotor after braking pressure is released. A weak or broken return spring within the brake caliper or piston housing is a common cause, as it fails to provide the necessary force to pull the pistons and pads away from the disc. Other causes can include a jammed piston, contaminated hydraulic fluid, or a malfunctioning master cylinder.
What is the minimum number of rivets required in a single rivet row for a repair splice on primary aircraft structure according to AC 43.13-1B?
Answer: B. Three rivets per side of the splice
AC 43.13-1B requires at least three rivets per side of the splice in any single row to ensure adequate load transfer in primary structure repairs.
When inspecting a pressurized fuselage for fatigue cracks, which location is considered highest risk and should receive the most attention?
Answer: B. Around window and door cutouts and skin lap joints
Stress concentrations at window frames, door cutouts, and skin lap joints make these areas the most fatigue-critical zones in a pressurized fuselage.
Through an FAA-approved AMT school, the full A&P certificate program takes 18-24 months. Through the experience pathway, you need 30 months of documented practical experience working on both airframes and powerplants. Military veterans with aircraft maintenance specialties may qualify immediately. After meeting the eligibility requirements, allow 2-4 months for exam preparation and testing.
AMT school tuition ranges from $8,000-$20,000 at community colleges to $15,000-$40,000 at dedicated aviation technical schools and up to $80,000 at universities offering bachelor's degrees. Additional costs include tools ($2,000-$5,000), textbooks ($500-$1,000), and exam fees (approximately $1,100 total for all written tests and the practical exam). Federal financial aid, GI Bill benefits, and workforce development grants are available.
Yes, the FAA issues separate airframe and powerplant ratings. You can earn the airframe rating alone with 1,150 curriculum hours at an AMT school or 18 months of qualifying airframe experience. However, most employers strongly prefer — and many require — the full A&P certificate, and most training programs teach both ratings together. The additional time and cost for the powerplant rating is minimal compared to the career benefits.
The written knowledge tests have pass rates around 80-85% for AMT school graduates who study thoroughly. The oral and practical exam is more challenging and requires demonstrating hands-on proficiency to a Designated Mechanic Examiner. The most commonly failed areas are regulations, sheet metal repair techniques, and systems troubleshooting. Consistent practice with test prep materials and hands-on lab work are the best preparation strategies.
The FAA A&P certificate does not expire, but it can become inactive. To exercise the privileges of your certificate, you must have performed maintenance or completed training within the previous 24 months (known as "recent experience" under 14 CFR 65.83). If your certificate becomes inactive, you can reactivate it by passing the appropriate portions of the exam or by working under a certificated mechanic to regain recent experience.