The A&P General study guide, subject by subject

What the A&P General written test covers is set by the FAA’s Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards. [14 CFR §65.75(a)] Its General section has 12 subjects and 166 knowledge elements. They are below, in the FAA’s own words.

How to use this

Read the subject, then read the matching chapters of the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook: General, which the FAA publishes free and says many test questions are based on. [FAA mechanic FAQ] Each element is a thing you should be able to explain. If you cannot, that is where to read next.

The standards also list risk management and skill elements for each subject. Those are for the oral and practical, so they are not here. See the oral and practical.

A. Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics

ACS code AM.I.A · FAA ACS p.1 · 27 knowledge elements

  • A.K1Electron theory (conventional flow vs. electron flow).
  • A.K2Magnetism.
  • A.K3Capacitance in a circuit.
  • A.K4Inductance in a circuit.
  • A.K5Alternating current (AC) electrical circuits.
  • A.K6Direct current (DC) electrical circuits.
  • A.K7Electrical laws and theory.
    • Ohm's Law
    • Kirchhoff's Laws
    • Watt's Law
    • Faraday's Law
    • Lenz's Law
    • Right-hand motor rule
  • A.K8Electrical measurement tools, principles, and procedures.
  • A.K9Voltage.
    • Regulation
  • A.K10Current.
  • A.K11Resistance.
    • Impedance
    • Resistance in series
    • Resistance in parallel
    • Total resistance
  • A.K12Power.
  • A.K13Series circuits.
  • A.K14Parallel circuits.
  • A.K15Aircraft batteries.
  • A.K16Transformers.
  • A.K17Circuit continuity.
  • A.K18Controlling devices, including switches and relays.
  • A.K19Protective devices, including fuses, circuit breakers, and current limiters.
  • A.K20Resistor types and color coding.
  • A.K21Semiconductors, including diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
  • A.K22Digital logic, including RAM, ROM, NVRAM, logic gates, inverter, rectifier, and flip flop.
  • A.K23Binary numbers.
  • A.K24Electrostatic discharge.
  • A.K25Electrical circuit drawings.
  • A.K26Complex/combined circuits.
  • A.K27AC and DC motors.

B. Aircraft Drawings

ACS code AM.I.B · FAA ACS p.3 · 4 knowledge elements

  • B.K1Drawings, blueprints, sketches, charts, graphs, and system schematics, including commonly used lines, symbols, and terminology.
  • B.K2Repair or alteration of an aircraft system or component(s) using drawings, blueprints, or system schematics to determine whether it conforms to its type design.
  • B.K3Inspection of an aircraft system or component(s) using drawings, blueprints, or system schematics.
  • B.K4Terms used in conjunction with aircraft drawings, blueprints, or system schematics.

C. Weight and Balance

ACS code AM.I.C · FAA ACS p.4 · 10 knowledge elements

  • C.K1Weight and balance terminology.
  • C.K2Purpose for weighing an aircraft.
  • C.K3Weighing procedures, including the general preparations for weighing, with emphasis on aircraft weighing area considerations.
  • C.K4Procedures for calculation of the following: arm, positive or negative moment, center of gravity (CG), or moment index.
  • C.K5Purpose and application of weight and CG limits.
  • C.K6Purpose of determining CG.
  • C.K7Adverse loading considerations and how to calculate if adverse loading causes an out-of-limit condition.
  • C.K8Determine proper empty weight configuration.
  • C.K9Proper ballast placement.
  • C.K10Jacking an aircraft.

D. Fluid Lines and Fittings

ACS code AM.I.D · FAA ACS p.6 · 6 knowledge elements

  • D.K1Tubing and hose materials, applications, sizes, and fittings.
  • D.K2Rigid line or flexible hose material identification.
  • D.K3Rigid line fabrication, installation, and inspection techniques/practices.
  • D.K4Flexible hose fabrication, installation, and inspection techniques/practices.
  • D.K5Importance of using a torque wrench when securing fluid hose and line fittings.
  • D.K6Use of torque seal or similar witness techniques after installing critical fluid hose and line fittings.

E. Aircraft Materials, Hardware, and Processes

ACS code AM.I.E · FAA ACS p.7 · 14 knowledge elements

  • E.K1Materials commonly used in aircraft and their general application.
  • E.K2Heat treatment and metal working processes.
  • E.K3Forces placed on aircraft materials (e.g., tension, compression, torsion, bending, strain, and shear).
  • E.K4Hardware commonly used in aircraft (e.g., bolts, nuts, screws, pins, washers, turnlock fasteners, cables, cable fittings, and rigid line couplings).
  • E.K5Safety wire and safety clip requirements and techniques.
  • E.K6Precision measurement tools, principles, and procedures.
  • E.K7Soldering preparation, types of solder, and flux usage.
  • E.K8Torquing tools, principles, and procedures.
  • E.K9Suitability and compatibility of materials and hardware used for maintenance.
  • E.K10Relationship between torque and fastener preload.
  • E.K11Identification markings on materials and hardware.
  • E.K12Characteristics of acceptable welds.
  • E.K13Characteristics of unacceptable welds.
  • E.K14Procedures for weld repairs.

F. Ground Operations and Servicing

ACS code AM.I.F · FAA ACS p.9 · 16 knowledge elements

  • F.K1Aircraft towing procedures.
  • F.K2Aircraft securing procedures.
  • F.K3Aviation fueling/defueling procedures.
  • F.K4Airport operation area procedures and ATC communications, including runway incursion prevention.
  • F.K5Engine starting, ground operation, and aircraft taxiing procedures.
  • F.K6Types/classes of fire extinguishers and procedures.
  • F.K7Aircraft oil, hydraulic and pneumatic, and deicing servicing procedures.
  • F.K8Oxygen system servicing procedures.
  • F.K9Characteristics of aviation gasoline and turbine fuels, including basic types and means of identification.
  • F.K10Fuel additives commonly used in the field.
  • F.K11Use of approved grades/types of fuel in aircraft engines.
  • F.K12Tool and hardware use and accountability.
  • F.K13Material handling.
  • F.K14Parts protections.
  • F.K15Hazardous materials, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and PPE.
  • F.K16Foreign object damage effects.

G. Cleaning and Corrosion Control

ACS code AM.I.G · FAA ACS p.11 · 24 knowledge elements

  • G.K1Aircraft cleaning procedures.
  • G.K2Corrosion theory and causation.
  • G.K3Types and effects of corrosion.
  • G.K4Corrosion-prone areas in aircraft.
  • G.K5Corrosion preventive maintenance procedures.
  • G.K6Corrosion identification and inspection.
  • G.K7Corrosion removal and treatment procedures.
  • G.K8Corrosion preventive compounds (CPC) (e.g., waxy sealants, thin-film dielectrics).
  • G.K9Selection of optimal CPC and frequency of treatment.
  • G.K10Use of high-pressure application equipment.
  • G.K11Improper use of cleaners on aluminum or composite materials.
  • G.K12Dissimilar metals causing accelerated corrosion and role of protective barriers to mitigate this risk.
  • G.K13Conversion coatings.
  • G.K14Materials used for protection of airframe structures.
  • G.K15Primer materials.
  • G.K16Topcoat materials.
  • G.K17Surface preparation for a desired finishing material.
  • G.K18Effects of ambient conditions on finishing materials.
  • G.K19Effects of improper surface preparation on finishing materials.
  • G.K20Regulatory requirements for replacing identification, registration markings, and placards.
  • G.K21Inspection of aircraft finishes.
  • G.K22Safety practices/precautions when using finishing materials (e.g., PPE, fire prevention).
  • G.K23Finishing materials application techniques and practices.
  • G.K24Control surface balance considerations after refinishing.

H. Mathematics

ACS code AM.I.H · FAA ACS p.13 · 13 knowledge elements

  • H.K1Areas of various geometrical shapes.
  • H.K2Volumes of various geometrical shapes.
  • H.K3Definitions, descriptions and use of geometrical terms, including but not limited to any of the following: polygon, pi, diameter, radius, and hypotenuse.
  • H.K4Ratio problems, including examples of where or how they may be used in relation to aircraft maintenance or system(s) operation.
  • H.K5Proportion and percentage problems, including examples of where or how they may be used in relation to aircraft maintenance or system(s) operation.
  • H.K6Algebraic operations, including examples of where or how they may be used in relation to aircraft maintenance.
  • H.K7Conditions or areas in which metric conversion may be necessary.
  • H.K8Scientific (exponential) notation, decimal notation, fractional notation, binary notation, and conversion between these various forms of numeric notation.
  • H.K9Rounding numbers.
  • H.K10Powers and special powers.
  • H.K11Measurement systems.
  • H.K12Use of positive and negative integers in mathematical operations.
  • H.K13Basic mathematic functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).

I. Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, and Publications

ACS code AM.I.I · FAA ACS p.14 · 23 knowledge elements

  • I.K1Privileges and limitations of a mechanic certificate.
  • I.K2Recent experience requirements and how to re-establish once lost.
  • I.K3Maintenance record entry for approval for return to service after maintenance and alterations.
  • I.K4Maintenance record entry for approval for return to service after inspection.
  • I.K5The purpose and use of FAA forms (e.g., FAA Forms 337, 8010-4, 8100-2, 8130-3).
  • I.K6Maintenance terminology as defined in 14 CFR part 1 (e.g., time in service, maintenance, preventive maintenance, major alteration, major repair, minor alteration, minor repair).
  • I.K7Criteria and responsibility for determining whether a repair or alteration is major or minor.
  • I.K8The regulatory framework, including general subject matter of the parts of 14 CFR relevant to aircraft maintenance and mechanics.
  • I.K9Agency publications and guidance materials, including aircraft specifications, TCDSs, advisory circulars (AC), and airworthiness directives (AD).
  • I.K10Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) for an AD.
  • I.K11Manufacturer publications, including maintenance manuals, service bulletins, maintenance alerts, and master minimum equipment lists.
  • I.K12FAA databases and resources available, including TCDSs and supplemental type certificates.
  • I.K13Compliance requirements for manufacturer-specified methods, techniques, and practices.
  • I.K14Compliance requirements for manufacturer-specified maintenance and inspection intervals.
  • I.K15FAA-approved maintenance data, including maintenance manuals and other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable by the administrator.
  • I.K16Difference between approved data and acceptable data, and when each is required.
  • I.K17FAA-approved airworthiness limitations.
  • I.K18Alert, caution, and warning indications; and the basic definition of warnings, cautions, and notes that are used in maintenance and operating manuals.
  • I.K19Inoperative equipment.
  • I.K20Discrepancy records or placards.
  • I.K21Usable on (effectivity) codes in parts manuals.
  • I.K22Methods used to establish the serial number effectivity of an item.
  • I.K23Mechanic address change notification procedures.

J. Physics for Aviation

ACS code AM.I.J · FAA ACS p.16 · 13 knowledge elements

  • J.K1Matter and energy.
  • J.K2Work, power, force, and motion.
  • J.K3Simple machines and mechanics.
  • J.K4Heat and pressure.
  • J.K5Bernoulli’s Principle.
  • J.K6Newton’s Law of Motion.
  • J.K7Gas law and fluid mechanics.
  • J.K8Theory of flight (aerodynamics).
  • J.K9Standard atmosphere and factors affecting atmospheric conditions.
  • J.K10Primary and secondary aircraft flight controls.
  • J.K11Additional aerodynamic devices, including vortex generators, wing fences, and stall strips.
  • J.K12Relationship between temperature, density, weight, and volume.
  • J.K13Force, area, or pressure in a specific application.

K. Inspection Concepts and Techniques

ACS code AM.I.K · FAA ACS p.17 · 5 knowledge elements

  • K.K1Measuring tools, including calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
  • K.K2Calibration and tool accuracy requirements.
  • K.K3Nondestructive Testing (NDT) procedures and methods.
  • K.K4Aircraft inspection programs (e.g., progressive, 100-hour, annual, and other FAA-approved inspections).
  • K.K5Aircraft inspection methods and tools for materials, hardware, and processes.

L. Human Factors

ACS code AM.I.L · FAA ACS p.18 · 11 knowledge elements

  • L.K1Safety culture and organizational factors.
  • L.K2Human error principles.
  • L.K3Event investigation.
  • L.K4Human performance and limitations.
  • L.K5Physical and social environment.
  • L.K6Communication/reporting of hazards.
  • L.K7Teamwork and leadership.
  • L.K8Professionalism and integrity.
  • L.K9Shift and task turnover.
  • L.K10Conditions/preconditions for unsafe acts.
  • L.K11Types of human errors.

Sources

Every fact on this page was checked against these sources on . noshu is not affiliated with the FAA or PSI, and this is a study aid, not maintenance guidance or legal advice: the FAA and the regulations are the authority. If something here is wrong, tell us at a@noshu.net.