Aviation mechanic eligibility, ratings, knowledge, experience and skill practice questions
20 free practice questions from 14 CFR 65.71 to 65.80. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Aviation mechanic eligibility, ratings, knowledge, experience and skill
20 questions across 6 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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General eligibility
1. Lee will apply for a mechanic certificate and will work at a repair shop in the United States, so the outside-the-United-States endorsement does not apply. Which English language abilities does 65.71(a)(2) require Lee to have?
- A. Speak and understand English; reading and writing are not required
- B. Read and write English; speaking is not required
- C. Read English well enough to follow maintenance manuals, in any language the Administrator accepts
- D. Read, write, speak, and understand the English language
Show answer
Answer: D. Read, write, speak, and understand the English language
To be eligible, a person must "Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language"; the endorsement "Valid only outside the United States" applies only to an applicant "employed outside of the United States by a U.S. air carrier".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.71, Eligibility requirements: General (as of Nov 4, 2026)
2. An applicant who cannot meet the English language requirement is employed outside of the United States by a U.S. air carrier. What does 65.71(a)(2) provide for this applicant?
- A. The applicant may hold a certificate only while that air carrier employs the applicant
- B. The applicant's certificate is endorsed "Valid only outside the United States"
- C. The applicant may take the tests in a language chosen by the Administrator
- D. The applicant must first complete 30 months of practical experience
Show answer
Answer: B. The applicant's certificate is endorsed "Valid only outside the United States"
For "an applicant who does not meet this requirement and who is employed outside of the United States by a U.S. air carrier," the rule says to "have his certificate endorsed “Valid only outside the United States”".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.71, Eligibility requirements: General (as of Nov 4, 2026)
3. Under 65.71(a)(3), what must an applicant for a mechanic certificate have done within a period of 24 months?
- A. Passed all of the prescribed tests
- B. Completed all of the practical experience required by 65.77
- C. Received an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school
- D. Received the report of the written test
Show answer
Answer: A. Passed all of the prescribed tests
The applicant must "Have passed all of the prescribed tests within a period of 24 months".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.71, Eligibility requirements: General (as of Nov 4, 2026)
4. Besides age, language and the tests, what else does 65.71(a) require of an applicant for a mechanic certificate and associated ratings?
- A. Employment by a certificated repair station
- B. Compliance with every section of Subpart D for both ratings, whichever rating is sought
- C. Compliance with the sections of Subpart D that apply to the rating the applicant seeks
- D. A repairman certificate held for at least 24 months
Show answer
Answer: C. Compliance with the sections of Subpart D that apply to the rating the applicant seeks
65.71(a)(4) requires the person to "Comply with the sections of this subpart that apply to the rating the applicant seeks."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.71, Eligibility requirements: General (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Ratings and additional ratings
5. Which ratings does 65.73(a) say are issued under Subpart D?
- A. Airframe and powerplant
- B. Airframe, powerplant and propeller
- C. Aircraft and aircraft engine
- D. General, airframe and powerplant
Show answer
Answer: A. Airframe and powerplant
"The following ratings are issued under this subpart: (1) Airframe. (2) Powerplant."
6. A mechanic holds a certificate with an aircraft engine rating that was issued before, and was valid on, June 15, 1952. What does 65.73(b) say about it?
- A. It expired on June 15, 1952
- B. It may be exchanged only after the holder passes new oral and practical tests
- C. It is equal to a mechanic certificate with the corresponding airframe or powerplant rating and may be exchanged for that certificate and rating
- D. It is valid only outside the United States
Show answer
Answer: C. It is equal to a mechanic certificate with the corresponding airframe or powerplant rating and may be exchanged for that certificate and rating
Such a certificate "is equal to a mechanic certificate with an airframe or powerplant rating, or both, as the case may be, and may be exchanged for such a corresponding certificate and rating or ratings."
7. A certificated mechanic with an airframe rating applies for the powerplant rating. What does 65.71(b) require, apart from the exception in 65.75(d)?
- A. Passing only the oral test for the powerplant rating
- B. Retaking the tests for the airframe rating already held
- C. Meeting the requirements of 65.77 only, with no further tests
- D. Meeting the requirements of 65.77 and, within a period of 24 calendar months, passing the 65.75 and 65.79 tests for the powerplant rating
Show answer
Answer: D. Meeting the requirements of 65.77 and, within a period of 24 calendar months, passing the 65.75 and 65.79 tests for the powerplant rating
The mechanic "must meet the requirements of § 65.77 and, within a period of 24 calendar months, pass the tests prescribed by §§ 65.75 and 65.79 for the additional rating sought, except as provided in § 65.75(d)."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.71, Eligibility requirements: General (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Written knowledge test
8. Except as specified in 65.75(c), when does 65.75(a) say an applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating must pass the written test?
- A. Before beginning any practical experience
- B. After meeting the applicable experience requirements of 65.77
- C. After passing the oral and practical tests
- D. During the first month of any aviation maintenance technician school course
Show answer
Answer: B. After meeting the applicable experience requirements of 65.77
Each applicant "must, after meeting the applicable experience requirements of § 65.77, pass a written test".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.75, Knowledge requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
9. What does 65.75(a) say the written test includes?
- A. Only the airframe subject areas, whichever rating is sought
- B. Subject areas chosen by the applicant's employer
- C. Questions drawn from the applicant's own maintenance records
- D. The aeronautical knowledge subject areas contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, as appropriate to the rating sought
Show answer
Answer: D. The aeronautical knowledge subject areas contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, as appropriate to the rating sought
The written test "includes the aeronautical knowledge subject areas contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (incorporated by reference, see § 65.23), as appropriate to the rating sought."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.75, Knowledge requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
10. According to 65.75(b), what is sent to the applicant after the written test?
- A. A report of the written test
- B. A temporary mechanic certificate
- C. The graded test booklet
- D. An inspection authorization
Show answer
Answer: A. A report of the written test
65.75(b) states: "A report of the written test is sent to the applicant."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.75, Knowledge requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Experience requirements
11. What does 65.77 require each applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating to present?
- A. Both a school document and documentary evidence of practical experience
- B. A letter of recommendation from any certificated mechanic
- C. Either an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school in accordance with 147.21, or documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, of the required practical experience
- D. A logbook endorsed by the holder of an inspection authorization
Show answer
Answer: C. Either an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school in accordance with 147.21, or documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, of the required practical experience
Each applicant "must present either—" "An authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school in accordance with § 147.21 of this chapter; or" "Documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, of—" the listed experience.
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.77, Experience requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
12. An applicant without a school document relies on 65.77(b)(2) for experience. What must that practical experience have involved?
- A. Performing the duties of an inspection authorization holder
- B. Concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings
- C. Teaching the general portion of a part 147 school curriculum
- D. Performing only the duties appropriate to the airframe rating
Show answer
Answer: B. Concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings
65.77(b)(2) calls for "practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.77, Experience requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
13. Kim documents practical experience for the airframe rating under 65.77(b)(1). What does that paragraph say the practical experience must be with?
- A. The procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes or powerplants, appropriate to the rating sought
- B. Selling aircraft parts and materials to certificated repair stations
- C. Classroom instruction in any subject related to aviation
- D. Operating aircraft as a pilot in command
Show answer
Answer: A. The procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes or powerplants, appropriate to the rating sought
65.77(b)(1) calls for "practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes or powerplants, appropriate to the rating sought".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.77, Experience requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
14. An applicant relies on documentary evidence of practical experience under 65.77(b). Who must find that evidence satisfactory?
- A. The applicant's employer
- B. A certificated repair station
- C. The holder of an inspection authorization
- D. The Administrator
Show answer
Answer: D. The Administrator
65.77(b) calls for "Documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, of—" the listed experience.
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.77, Experience requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Oral and practical tests
15. Which tests does 65.79 say an applicant for a mechanic certificate or rating must pass?
- A. A practical test only
- B. An oral test only
- C. An oral test and a practical test, as appropriate to the rating sought
- D. A second written test for each rating
Show answer
Answer: C. An oral test and a practical test, as appropriate to the rating sought
Each applicant "must pass an oral test and a practical test, as appropriate to the rating sought".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.79, Skill requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
16. How does 65.79 say the applicant passes the oral and practical tests?
- A. By presenting maintenance records of work the applicant has signed off
- B. By demonstrating satisfactory understanding of the knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airmen Certification Standards, as appropriate to the rating sought
- C. By demonstrating the skill elements only, for subjects the applicant selects
- D. By repeating the written test in front of an examiner
Show answer
Answer: B. By demonstrating satisfactory understanding of the knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airmen Certification Standards, as appropriate to the rating sought
The applicant passes "by demonstrating satisfactory understanding of the knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each subject contained in the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airmen Certification Standards".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.79, Skill requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
17. Dana is not a student at an aviation maintenance technician school. Under 65.75(b), what must Dana do before applying for the oral and practical tests prescribed by 65.79?
- A. Pass each section of the written test
- B. Pass at least one section of the written test
- C. Obtain an inspection authorization
- D. Hold the mechanic certificate for 90 days
Show answer
Answer: A. Pass each section of the written test
"The applicant must pass each section of the test before applying for the oral and practical tests prescribed by § 65.79."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.75, Knowledge requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Aviation maintenance technician school students
18. An applicant has not yet met the experience requirements of 65.77. Under 65.75(c), which written test may the applicant take, and on what condition?
- A. The airframe and powerplant written tests, if a certificated mechanic vouches for the applicant
- B. Any written test, if the applicant is at least 18 years of age
- C. The mechanic general written test, if the applicant presents a letter from an employer
- D. The mechanic general written test, if the applicant presents an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school showing satisfactory completion of the general portion of the school's curriculum and specifying the completion date
Show answer
Answer: D. The mechanic general written test, if the applicant presents an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school showing satisfactory completion of the general portion of the school's curriculum and specifying the completion date
The applicant "may take the mechanic general written test prior to meeting the applicable experience requirements of § 65.77, provided the applicant presents an authenticated document from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the general portion of the school's curriculum and specifies the completion date."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.75, Knowledge requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)
19. Under 65.80, when may a qualifying student take the oral and practical tests prescribed by 65.79?
- A. Only after graduating from the school
- B. Only after passing each section of the written test
- C. During the final subjects of the student's training in the curriculum required under part 147
- D. At any time after enrolling in the school
Show answer
Answer: C. During the final subjects of the student's training in the curriculum required under part 147
The "student may take those tests during the final subjects of the student's training in the curriculum required under part 147, before the student meets the applicable experience requirements of § 65.77 and before the student passes each section of the written test prescribed by § 65.75."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.80, Certificated aviation maintenance technician school students (as of Nov 4, 2026)
20. Under 65.80, who must show the Administrator that a student has made satisfactory progress and is prepared to take the oral and practical tests?
- A. The student
- B. An aviation maintenance technician school certificated under part 147
- C. A certificated mechanic who supervised the student's work
- D. The holder of an inspection authorization
Show answer
Answer: B. An aviation maintenance technician school certificated under part 147
65.80 applies "Whenever an aviation maintenance technician school certificated under part 147 of this chapter shows to the Administrator that any of its students has made satisfactory progress at the school and is prepared to take the oral and practical tests".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 65.80, Certificated aviation maintenance technician school students (as of Nov 4, 2026)