FAA Aviation Mechanic - Airframe (AMA) exam-day guide
FAA Aviation Mechanic - Airframe (AMA) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired driver's license, state ID, or passport. The name must match the name on your application paperwork exactly. Ask your examiner in advance whether a second form of ID is expected, since identification requirements are set by the testing provider, not by a published candidate checklist.
FAA Form 8610-2, completely filled out and signed
The Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application must be signed by you and by the person certifying your experience (a certificated mechanic, repair station, or Part 147 school official). Check that every block is correct and that the ratings you are applying for are listed before you travel to the test site.
Airframe knowledge test report (and General/Powerplant reports if you are testing for more than one rating)
Bring the printed passing reports from your FAA knowledge tests. Verify the reports are still within their valid/currency window; if you are unsure how the window is calculated for your situation, confirm with your examiner or the FAA before the appointment.
Logbook or records documenting your experience
Bring the record that supports the experience certified on your application (logbook, employer letters, or school records). The examiner may ask you to clarify entries, so know where your airframe-related experience is documented.
Tools and consumables the examiner asks you to supply
Many examiners expect you to arrive with basic hand tools and items such as safety wire and safety wire pliers. There is no universal list; call or email your examiner ahead of time and write down exactly what to bring.
Reference materials you are permitted to use
Ask in advance which references are provided at the site (commonly Advisory Circular 43.13-1B/2A and Federal Aviation Regulations Parts 43, 65, and 91) and which, if any, you should bring yourself. Using the reference data instead of guessing is normally encouraged.
Safety equipment and appropriate clothing
Wear closed-toe work shoes and clothing suitable for a shop environment. Bring safety glasses if the examiner does not supply them, and ask about hearing protection if tasks involve running equipment.
Calculator (if permitted)
Ask whether a basic non-programmable calculator is allowed for any computation tasks. Do not assume it is permitted; the examiner sets the rules for what may be on the bench.
Payment for the examiner's fee
Designated Mechanic Examiner fees and accepted payment methods vary. Confirm the amount and whether cash, check, or electronic payment is expected before the test day.
Appointment confirmation, address, and travel plan
Confirm the date, start time, exact address, parking, and expected duration. Practical tests commonly run several hours and may be scheduled across a full day, so plan accordingly.
Studied Airframe subject areas from the current practical test standards
Review the Airframe task areas as published by the FAA: structures and sheet metal, welding, assembly and rigging, inspection, landing gear, hydraulics/pneumatics, electrical, fuel, and related systems. Know where the relevant references live so you can look up procedures quickly.
Plan the day
Confirm the appointment in writing with your examiner, re-confirm the tool and reference list, verify your 8610-2 and knowledge test reports are complete, and re-read the Airframe practical test standards so you know the task areas. Do a light review of reference locations, not a crash course in new material.
Pack your bag: ID, paperwork, tools, safety glasses, calculator if allowed, and payment. Lay out clothing, check the route and drive time, get a full night's sleep, and avoid starting new study topics that could rattle your confidence.
Eat a real meal and arrive 15 to 30 minutes early. Present your ID and paperwork, silence and stow your phone unless the examiner says otherwise, and walk the shop so you know where tools, references, and safety equipment are.
Read or listen to the entire task before touching anything. If the wording is unclear, ask the examiner to clarify what is being asked; do not ask for the answer or the procedure. Confirm whether reference data is allowed for that specific task.
Work deliberately and talk through what you are doing and why. Follow shop safety rules every time, use torque values and procedures from the reference data rather than memory, and clean up as you finish each project. A single unsafe act can cost you a task.
Ask early whether breaks are permitted and how they affect the schedule. If a task is running long, tell the examiner rather than rushing; accuracy and safe practice matter more than speed.
After each task, listen carefully to the examiner's feedback. At the end, ask for a clear explanation of your overall result, anything you did not satisfy, and the exact retest or reapplication steps if applicable. Write down what you are told before you leave.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired government photo ID. The name on your ID and on your application must match; if your documents do not match, resolve it before test day.
Only use materials the examiner authorizes. Phones, notes, and unapproved references stay put away during testing; ask before opening any book, manual, or device.
Follow all shop safety rules at all times. Unsafe actions, bypassing lockout or safety devices, or ignoring PPE requirements can result in an unsatisfactory evaluation of a task regardless of whether the end product was correct.
Use the approved reference data rather than guessing. Torque values, tolerances, and procedures should be looked up; the examiner is evaluating your ability to work like a certificated mechanic, not your memory.
The examiner evaluates each task individually. Confirm with your examiner, before you begin, exactly how tasks are graded and what happens if one task is not satisfactory.
Ask about breaks, restroom access, and the day's schedule at the start. Break policy is set by the examiner; there is no single published schedule that applies to every testing site.
Be accurate about your experience and records. Falsifying or exaggerating experience on the application can result in denial, suspension, or revocation, and it is not worth the risk.
If you do not pass, ask the examiner to explain the specific retest requirements, any waiting period, and what documentation you will need. Retest rules and timing should be confirmed with your examiner or the FAA rather than assumed.