A&P Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the A&P exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 A&P Exam Format at a Glance
📚 A&P Topics to Study (19)
✍️ Sample A&P Questions & Answers
1. How often must an A&P mechanic complete recurrent training to maintain their certificate?
Unlike pilots, FAA-certified A&P mechanics are not required to complete recurrent training to maintain the validity of their certificate. However, they must remain current in their knowledge and skills to exercise the privileges of their certificate. Many mechanics choose to attend industry seminars or manufacturer training to stay updated with new technologies and regulations, but it is not a regulatory requirement for certificate renewal.
2. What type of pump is typically used as the electric boost pump in an aircraft fuel system?
Electric boost pumps are typically centrifugal type, providing low-pressure fuel flow to assist the engine-driven pump during start and as a backup.
3. According to FAA regulations, who is authorized to approve an aircraft for return to service after major repairs?
According to FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 65), only a mechanic holding an Inspection Authorization (IA) is authorized to approve an aircraft for return to service after major repairs or alterations. This additional certification signifies that the mechanic has met specific experience and knowledge requirements to perform and supervise complex maintenance tasks, ensuring the aircraft's continued airworthiness.
4. A pilot reports hearing a loud bang from the engine, followed by a rapid rise in Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) and a loss of thrust. These symptoms are most indicative of which condition?
A compressor stall or surge is a breakdown of airflow through the compressor. This disruption can cause a momentary or complete reversal of airflow, resulting in a loud bang. The disruption starves the combustor of air, leading to an overly rich fuel-air mixture that burns in the turbine section, causing a rapid EGT spike and a significant loss of thrust.
5. A technician is performing an internal timing check on a magneto. The E-gap is defined as the point where the:
The E-gap, or efficiency gap, is the precise point in the magneto's rotation, just past the neutral position, where the breaker contact points are set to open. This position ensures the most rapid rate of change in magnetic flux, which induces the maximum voltage in the primary coil for the strongest spark.
6. What is the most common cause of water contamination in aircraft fuel tanks?
Water condensation is the most common fuel contaminant, occurring when humid air trapped in partially filled tanks condenses as ambient temperatures drop overnight.