CAA NZ AME Electrical study plan

Define voltage, current, resistance, power and energy, and state the SI unit and symbol for each without notes

Apply Ohm's law and the power equation to solve at least fifteen series and parallel DC circuit problems, showing working

Calculate equivalent resistance for mixed series-parallel networks and explain how current and voltage divide in each branch

Describe the magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor and state Faraday's and Lenz's laws in your own words

Explain the behaviour of resistors, capacitors and inductors in DC and AC circuits, including reactance and phase relationship

Sketch and label a sine wave, defining peak, RMS, average, period and frequency, and convert between them

Compare single-phase and three-phase supply, and explain why aircraft AC systems commonly use 400 Hz

Describe the construction and operating principle of a transformer and a basic DC machine

Interpret simple AC circuit diagrams containing R, L and C combinations

Identify the function and typical location of the main aircraft electrical components: battery, starter-generator, contactors, relays, circuit breakers and bus bars

Explain the operating principle of lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries and state their care, servicing and state-of-charge checks

Describe how a relay and a contactor differ and trace a simple control circuit through a relay coil and contact set

Explain the purpose and operation of a voltage regulator and an overvoltage protection device

Interpret a simple aircraft DC schematic and identify each component symbol correctly

Describe the construction and operation of DC generators and alternators, including commutation and rectification

Explain the constant-frequency and variable-frequency generation options used on aircraft and their trade-offs

Trace power flow from generator through bus bar, distribution and protection to a representative load

Explain split-bus and parallel generator operation, including load sharing and reverse-current protection

Describe external power and emergency power sources and when each is used

Explain the purpose of bonding and the difference between primary and secondary bonding

Describe wire selection criteria: current rating, voltage drop, temperature rating, insulation type and bundling derating

Identify standard wire identification marking methods and explain how to read a wire number

Describe connector types, contact crimping, insertion and extraction, and the checks made after termination

Explain the purpose of shielding, grounding and lightning protection in aircraft wiring

Describe continuity, insulation resistance and bonding resistance tests, including typical instruments and acceptable practice

Explain how to perform and record a bonding resistance check and why test-lead resistance matters

Outline the safety precautions for working on aircraft electrical systems, including lockout, capacitor discharge and battery isolation

Describe inspection and testing of wiring for chafing, arcing damage and corrosion, and the corrective actions

Explain how to interpret a wiring diagram to locate a fault in a simple circuit

Locate and explain the role of the applicable NZ civil aviation rules and advisory material for aircraft maintenance

Describe the purpose and correct completion of a maintenance record, work card and certification entry

Explain the meaning and limits of an AME's certification privileges and the role of an approved maintenance organisation

Identify the main human factors categories (fatigue, complacency, distraction, pressure, communication) and give an aviation electrical example of each

Describe the error-management tools used in maintenance, such as inspection steps, dual sign-off and task briefing

Sit a full-length timed practice paper across all five domains and record the score per domain

Re-teach the two weakest domains from your own notes and re-attempt missed questions

Recite the key formulas, protection device functions and wiring standards from memory in a ten-minute self-test

Review your error log and confirm every previously missed item can now be explained aloud