Preparing for your FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification? The FAA A&P oral and practical exam is an important step toward becoming a certified aviation maintenance technician. Knowing what to study, which practical skills to practice and how to approach the examination can help you prepare more effectively.
Many aviation students preparing for the FAA A&P General and Airframe oral and practical exams share the same concern: What should you practice when the examiner could assign different tasks?
The answer is to focus on the official certification standards, strengthen your understanding of aircraft maintenance fundamentals and develop hands-on skills through structured practice.
In this guide, JosReach Aviation explains how to prepare for the FAA A&P oral and practical exam, which skills deserve attention and how to organize your study schedule before test day.
What Is the FAA A&P Oral and Practical Exam?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues Aviation Mechanic certificates with Airframe and Powerplant ratings. Applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements and successfully complete the required knowledge and practical testing.
The oral and practical examination evaluates an applicant’s knowledge, practical skills, and ability to apply appropriate safety procedures and technical information to aviation maintenance tasks.
The General portion covers foundational aviation maintenance knowledge, while the Airframe portion focuses on aircraft structures, systems, and associated maintenance practices.
Candidates should use the current FAA Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to understand the applicable requirements and organize their preparation.
1. FAA A&P General Practical Exam: Skills to Practice
General subjects provide the foundation for aircraft maintenance. Before your examination, focus on understanding the tools, procedures, and principles used in everyday maintenance work.
Measuring Tools and Aircraft Hardware
Learn how to use common measuring instruments, including micrometers, calipers, and steel rules.
You should also understand how to identify aircraft hardware, including bolts, nuts, washers, screws, and locking devices.
Focus on:
- Reading measurements accurately.
- Identifying hardware by its characteristics.
- Understanding bolt dimensions and grip length.
- Selecting the appropriate tools for a task.
- Using applicable references to verify specifications.
Safety Wire and Aircraft Fasteners
Safety wiring is an important aircraft maintenance skill. Understand how correct safety-wire installation helps prevent fasteners from loosening.
Practice under appropriate supervision and review:
- Safety-wire direction and tension.
- Correct use of safety-wire pliers.
- Cotter pin installation.
- Self-locking nuts and other locking devices.
- Inspection of completed installations.
The objective is to understand both the procedure and the reason behind it.
Torque Wrenches and Torque Procedures
Aircraft maintenance frequently involves fasteners that must meet specified torque requirements.
Learn how to use a torque wrench, identify the appropriate torque specification, and understand when an adapter affects the required setting.
Practice:
- Reading torque values and units.
- Converting between applicable units.
- Locating torque specifications in technical references.
- Understanding the effects of adapters and friction.
- Following the specified procedure rather than relying on memory.
Basic Electrical Troubleshooting
Electrical fundamentals are useful throughout aircraft maintenance.
Practice using a multimeter to measure voltage, resistance, and continuity. Learn to read basic wiring diagrams and understand how electrical components work together.
Important topics include:
- Open circuits and short circuits.
- Voltage, current, and resistance.
- Series and parallel circuits.
- Electrical symbols and wiring diagrams.
- Fuses, circuit breakers, switches, and relays.
- Systematic electrical fault isolation.
During practice, focus on explaining how you identify a problem and determine the appropriate next step.
2. FAA A&P Airframe Practical Exam: Important Areas to Review
The Airframe rating covers aircraft structures, systems, inspection, and maintenance procedures. Your preparation should include both technical knowledge and practical exercises.
Aircraft Sheet Metal and Riveting
Sheet-metal work is a useful area for hands-on preparation when a suitable workshop is available.
Review:
- Common rivet types and identification.
- Rivet diameter and length selection.
- Hole preparation and deburring.
- Basic riveting techniques.
- Inspection of rivet installations.
- Structural damage assessment.
- Aircraft repair references and applicable limits.
Practice only with appropriate equipment and supervision, and use the applicable technical data for any actual aircraft work.
Hydraulic Systems and Landing Gear
Aircraft hydraulic systems operate components that may include landing gear, brakes, and flight-control mechanisms.
Develop a clear understanding of how the systems work and how technicians inspect them.
Key study areas include:
- Hydraulic lines, fittings, and actuators.
- Hydraulic fluid and contamination.
- Leakage and component damage.
- Landing gear components and operation.
- System inspection and troubleshooting.
- Safety precautions associated with stored pressure.
Aircraft Flight Controls and Cable Systems
Flight-control systems require correct inspection, adjustment and rigging to maintain safe aircraft operation.
Review the purpose and operation of cables, pulleys, turnbuckles, control linkages, and associated components.
Focus on cable tension, turnbuckle safetying, inspection for wear and the importance of following the applicable maintenance procedures.
Aircraft Structures and Corrosion Inspection
Aircraft structures must be inspected for damage, deterioration and corrosion.
Study common structural materials, aircraft skin, structural components, and the factors that influence inspection and repair decisions.
You should be able to explain how a technician identifies a defect, finds the applicable maintenance reference, and determines whether further inspection or corrective action is required.
Airframe Electrical Systems
Electrical systems also play an important role in airframe maintenance.
Practice interpreting wiring diagrams and understanding the operation of aircraft lighting and other electrical equipment.
Learn to identify circuit components, trace circuits, and approach troubleshooting systematically.
Important: These subjects are recommended preparation areas, not a prediction of the tasks you will receive. Your actual examination may cover other applicable skill elements.
3. How to Prepare for the FAA A&P Practical Test
Effective preparation involves more than reading textbooks or memorizing answers.
Use the following approach to make your study sessions more productive.
Step 1: Review the FAA certification standards
Download the current FAA Aviation Mechanic ACS and identify the applicable General and Airframe knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
Step 2: Identify your weak areas
Review your written examination performance and identify subjects that require additional study. Use these results to guide your preparation without neglecting other applicable standards.
Step 3: Practice hands-on maintenance skills
Use a suitable hangar, workshop or training environment to practice relevant tasks with qualified supervision.
Focus on tool handling, measurements, inspections, safetying and other skills appropriate to the equipment available.
Step 4: Learn to use technical references
Practice locating the correct maintenance information and interpreting specifications, diagrams, and procedures.
An aviation mechanic must know how to find and apply the appropriate information rather than depend entirely on memorized values.
Step 5: Explain every procedure
After completing a practice task, explain what you did, why you did it, which reference you followed, and how you determined whether the result was acceptable.
Step 6: Review and repeat
Record your mistakes, revisit difficult tasks, and repeat exercises until you can complete them correctly and explain the underlying principles.
5. Common FAA A&P Oral and Practical Exam Preparation Mistakes
Even students with strong theoretical knowledge can benefit from improving their practical preparation.
Avoid these common mistakes:
Memorizing without understanding
Knowing an answer is not the same as understanding the maintenance principle behind it. Learn why a procedure is required and when the applicable reference must be consulted.
Practicing only familiar tasks
Focusing exclusively on tasks you already know can leave gaps in your preparation. Use the FAA ACS to identify other applicable areas that require attention.
Ignoring safety procedures
Safe work practices are fundamental to aviation maintenance. Make hazard identification and appropriate precautions part of every practical exercise.
Failing to use technical references
Practice finding specifications and procedures in the relevant maintenance data. Do not rely on memory when a task requires a specific reference.
Neglecting oral examination preparation
Practical exercises provide opportunities to strengthen your oral answers. Explain the purpose, procedure, safety considerations, and acceptance criteria for each task you practice.
FAA’s Most Frequently Missed A&P Knowledge Areas
2025 Second-Quarter FAA Report
The FAA’s 2025 second-quarter report highlights the following Airman Certification Standards (ACS) knowledge elements with the highest reported miss rates.
Airframe: Special Inspections
FAA ACS code: AM.II.D.K5 — 79.53% missed
Special inspections are an important area to review for the Airframe knowledge exam. Students should understand why inspections are required and how to find the correct maintenance instructions for an aircraft or component.
General: Corrosion Identification and Inspection
FAA ACS code: AM.I.G.K6 — 78.49% missed
Students should know how corrosion develops, how to identify common types, and how it affects aircraft structures and components.
General: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
FAA ACS code: AM.I.A.K24 — 74.91% missed
Electrostatic discharge is the transfer of electrical charge that can damage sensitive electronic components. Understanding proper ESD precautions is essential for safe aircraft maintenance.
Planning a Career as an Aircraft Mechanic?
Preparing for your FAA A&P exams is one step toward an aircraft maintenance career. If you’re just starting out, read our guide to 10 essential things to know before becoming an aircraft mechanic to learn more about the qualifications, responsibilities, and career opportunities in this field.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the FAA A&P oral and practical exam requires a balanced approach that combines technical knowledge, hands-on practice, safety awareness, and familiarity with maintenance references.
Start early, identify your weaker areas, and use every suitable training opportunity to develop your practical skills.
Most importantly, remember that the purpose of aviation maintenance training extends beyond passing an examination. It is about developing the knowledge, discipline, and judgment needed to support safe aircraft operations.
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