NCAA AME Airframe study plan

NCAA AME Airframe · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Airframe structures and airframe systems (per Nig. CARs Part 7 / NCAA-AC-PEL 018 syllabus scope)

Map the full NCAA-AC-PEL 018 airframe scope into a one-page topic tree covering structures, flight controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, fuel, electrical, landing gear, ice and rain protection, and cabin environmental systems
Define and write out from memory the five basic aircraft stresses (tension, compression, shear, bending, torsion) with one airframe example of each
Identify the principal structural components of a semi-monocoque fuselage and a cantilever wing, and state the load path each carries
List the standard structural repair classifications used in civil aviation maintenance and state when each requires an approved design change
Set up a spaced-repetition deck and seed it with 60 structure and system definition cards

A one-page scope map plus a 60-card deck covering Week 1 structure and system terminology

Week 2

Explain the purpose, construction and inspection criteria of primary and secondary flight controls, including trim and high-lift devices
Describe the construction of a typical hydraulic system: reservoir, pumps, accumulators, filters, valves, actuators and seals, and state the function of each
Trace a hydraulic system schematic from pump to actuator and annotate every component and pressure value
Compare hydraulic fluid types and state the consequences of mixing them
Solve 15 numerical problems on pressure, force and piston area in hydraulic actuation

An annotated hydraulic system schematic with all components, pressures and fluid compatibility notes

Week 3

Describe pneumatic and air-conditioning system architecture, including bleed-air sources, pressure regulation, cooling packs and cabin temperature control
Explain pressurization control, outflow valves, cabin altitude limits and the safety interlocks that prevent over-pressurization
Describe fuel system layout, tank types, venting, refuelling and defuelling procedures, and fuel quantity indication methods
List fuel system safety precautions and contamination checks required before and after servicing
Answer 40 mixed recall questions on hydraulics, pneumatics and fuel with at least 85 percent accuracy

A scored 40-question closed-book quiz on hydraulics, pneumatics and fuel, with every wrong answer corrected in writing

Week 4

Describe DC and AC generation, distribution, protection and bus-tie logic on a transport-category aircraft
Explain the construction and operating principles of starters, generators, motors and transformers used on airframes
Describe landing gear architecture: shock struts, retraction mechanisms, uplocks, downlocks, sequencing and indication
Explain braking systems, anti-skid operation and the inspection points for wheels, tyres and brakes
Complete a timed 50-question mock covering Weeks 1 to 4 under exam conditions

A timed 50-question mock with a written error log classifying each mistake as knowledge gap, misreading or guess

Week 5

Describe ice and rain protection systems: thermal anti-ice, bleed-air boots, electro-thermal mats, weeping wing and windshield heating
Explain fire detection and extinguishing for engines, APU, cargo and lavatory zones, including warning logic and test procedures
Describe cabin environmental and oxygen systems, including crew and passenger oxygen sources and their limitations
Interpret airframe system schematics and identify component symbols without reference material
Write a 300-word comparison of anti-ice versus de-ice philosophy with airframe examples

A schematic symbol self-test scoring at least 90 percent, plus the anti-ice versus de-ice comparison

Week 6

Explain composite materials used in airframes: lay-up, curing, damage types and inspection methods
Describe non-destructive inspection techniques (visual, tap, ultrasonic, eddy current, radiographic) and state where each is appropriate
Explain corrosion types, causes and treatment for aluminium and steel airframe structures
Describe aircraft weighing, weight and balance, and the effect of repairs and modifications on the empty weight and centre of gravity
Complete 20 weight and balance calculations including ballast and moment-arm problems

A worked weight and balance problem set of 20 items with all calculations shown and checked

Week 7

Review every incorrect answer from Weeks 1 to 6 and rewrite each as a correct, self-contained flashcard
Rehearse system descriptions aloud for hydraulics, pneumatics, fuel, electrical and landing gear within a two-minute limit each
Complete a full-length timed mock across the entire airframe syllabus and record the score
Identify the three weakest subtopics from the mock and build a targeted remediation list for each

A full-length timed mock score plus a one-page remediation plan naming the three weakest subtopics

Week 8

Clear the remediation list by re-testing each weak subtopic to at least 90 percent accuracy
Run two further timed mocks and compare scores to confirm a stable upward trend
Recite key definitions, limits and inspection criteria from memory without prompts
Consolidate the final revision sheet to no more than four pages of high-yield facts
Confirm exam-day logistics, documentation and permitted reference materials against the current NCAA examination instructions

A four-page final revision sheet and a mock-score log showing at least two consecutive passes at target level

Week 2: Can draw and label a complete hydraulic system from memory, naming every component and its function, in under 15 minutes

Week 4: Timed 50-question mock on Weeks 1 to 4 scored at 70 percent or higher, with an error log completed

Week 6: Composite, NDI, corrosion and weight-and-balance quiz scored at 80 percent or higher without notes

Week 8: Two consecutive full-length timed mocks at 85 percent or higher, with all remediation items closed