Where Do I Begin?
The first question you need to have answered is am I eligible to take the Airframe
& Powerplant oral and practical exam. You can get the experience you need
to become a certified power plant or airframe mechanic in one of three ways.
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Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants pursuing an Airframe or Powerplant license must meet the requirements
within FAR 65.71-65.77
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• You must be at least 18 years of age;
• You must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language;
• You must have the required experience from one of the three areas below;
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I have the Civilian or Military experience Requirements, what do I do next?
To become an aircraft mechanic, you must take oral and practical tests as
well as written tests. With both types of on-the-job training you should set
aside additional study time to prepare for the written and oral/practical tests.
The FAA will give you credit for your practical experience only after review
of your paperwork and an interview with an FAA Airworthiness inspector.
Follow the steps outlined below: |
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Have documentation proving your military or civilian experience: |
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You will need documentation from past and/or current Airframe
and Powerplant mechanic(s) explaining the type and duration of the maintenance
that you performed. This should state, in detail, what aircraft and/or powerplants
you have worked on, what tasks you performed and how long you did these tasks.
These must be signed by a shop supervisor or an A&P mechanic and submitted
to the FAA.
You may have multiple letters but they must total 30 months experience for both
Airframe and Powerplant OR 18 months for each.
International applicants must also obtain a letter or stamp from the civil aviation
authority within their country attesting for the letter from their employers.
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Obtain FAA approval: |
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Once you have the paperwork you need, you must schedule an appointment
with an FAA maintenance inspector at your local Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO). Locate
a FSDO After an inspector authorizes you to test, they will issue you 2 copies
of the 8610-2, Airman Certification
and/or Rating Application Form. |
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Pass the required FAA knowledge tests - Airframe, Powerplant
& General: |
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To apply to take the written test, you must present your proof of experience
to an FAA inspector at the local FAA office (described above). There are separate
tests for airframe and power plant mechanic certificates, as well as a general
test covering both. If the inspector decides you meet the requirements to take
one of the tests, you may make an appointment for testing at one of the many
computer
testing facilities world-wide (PDF). Also, you can get a list of sample
general, airframe, and power plant test questions, and copy of FAA
testing supplements.
Depending on whether you would like to obtain your Airframe, Powerplant, or
Airframe and Powerplant combined, you will need to achieve a score of at least
70% on the General, Airframe, and Powerplant knowledge tests.
Learn more about how to find
help passing these exams - Test Prep Courses, Home Study Options, etc.
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Schedule the required Oral and Practical Exams: |
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After you have passed the required knowledge tests, you must
contact an FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME), and schedule your Oral &
Practical exam. Your local
FSDO can help you obtain a list of Designated Mechanic Examiners.
The oral and practical tests cover 43 technical subjects. Typically tests for
one certificate--airframe or power plant--takes about 8 hours. If you fail part
of a test, you have to wait 30 days before you can take it again, unless you
give a letter to the Examiner showing you've gotten additional training in the
areas you failed.
After you have successfully completed your oral and practical exam, you will
be issued a temporary license that is valid for 120 days, while the FAA processes
your paperwork.
List of
FAA Mechanic Examiners
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Non-US citizens interested in becoming a mechanic |
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You must demonstrate that you need a mechanic certificate to
maintain U.S.-registered civil aircraft and you are neither a U.S. citizen nor
a resident alien.
Show the examiner your passport.
Provide a detailed statement from your employer saying what specific types of
maintenance you preformed on each aircraft, and how long you performed it.
Provide a letter from the foreign airworthiness authority of the country in which
you got your experience, or from an advisor of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), validating your maintenance experience.
Make sure all the documents you provide are signed and dated originals.
Pay the fee for the document review.
What if I can't meet the English language requirements?
We may waive the language requirement if you live outside the United States.
We would stamp your certificate "Valid only outside of the U.S."
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