FAA Aviation Mechanic - Airframe (AMA)

It authorizes you to perform and approve maintenance on aircraft structure and systems within the airframe scope, but only as part of a full A&P certificate. The Airframe rating alone is not issued separately - you must also qualify for the Powerplant rating and pass the General knowledge test to be certificated as a mechanic.

The FAA sets the current item count and time limit, and those figures are revised from time to time. Rather than rely on a number from a prep site, confirm the current values with the FAA's Airman Testing standards and the testing center that administers your exam before you schedule.

The passing standard is established by the FAA and published in its airman testing standards. Check the current FAA source for the exact figure rather than a third-party summary. Your testing center will report your result immediately after you finish, and a failed attempt shows which knowledge areas need work.

It is a broad, fairly deep exam. Most candidates find the difficulty comes from breadth rather than trick questions - you are expected to move confidently between sheet metal, electrical, hydraulic, and inspection topics in one sitting. Candidates with hands-on experience and a completed Part 147 course generally find it manageable.

Start with structures and basic materials - aircraft drawings, corrosion, sheet metal, and composite repair - because those concepts underpin later systems questions. Then work through systems in functional groups (hydraulic/pneumatic, electrical, fuel, landing gear, environmental, fire protection, instruments), finishing with inspection, assembly, and rigging, which pull from everything else.

Common weak spots are electrical fundamentals, interpreting tolerances and limits from maintenance figures, distinguishing similar-sounding components, and inspection paperwork and recordkeeping details. Candidates who memorize answers without understanding the system tend to fail variations of the same question. Practice explaining each system out loud to expose gaps.

Yes, retesting is permitted, but the FAA sets the waiting period and the paperwork your testing center requires. Confirm the current retest rules with the FAA or your testing center before booking again, and use your score report to target the specific knowledge areas you missed rather than repeating the same study routine.

You can generally schedule the written tests in either order, but both the General and Airframe knowledge tests must be passed before you take the oral and practical test with a Designated Mechanic Examiner. Many candidates take General first because its fundamentals show up throughout the Airframe material.

The FAA defines what, if anything, is permitted in the testing room. Assume no outside reference material and prepare to work computations by hand or with an on-screen tool. Check the FAA's testing center rules and your admission notice for the current policy before exam day.

No. This page is written by an independent study platform and has no affiliation with or endorsement from the FAA. Use the FAA's handbooks, airman testing standards, and your school's approved curriculum as the authority, and treat this material as supplementary practice and explanation.