Aviation mechanic major alterations, major repairs and preventive maintenance practice questions
20 free practice questions from 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Aviation mechanic major alterations, major repairs and preventive maintenance
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How Part 43 uses Appendix A
1. Part 43 applies to aircraft issued a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category, with some exceptions. For which products does 43.1(d)(3) say the listing of major alterations and major repairs in paragraphs (a) and (b) of appendix A is not applicable?
- A. Products maintained only by their owner
- B. Products not produced under an FAA approval
- C. Products more than 20 years old
- D. Products used only for flight training
Show answer
Answer: B. Products not produced under an FAA approval
43.1(d)(3) states: "The listing of major alterations and major repairs specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of appendix A of this part is not applicable to products not produced under an FAA approval."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.1, Applicability (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Airframe and powerplant major alterations
2. Appendix A, paragraph (a)(1), names parts and types of alterations of an airframe. Under what condition are those alterations airframe major alterations?
- A. When they are performed by someone other than the manufacturer
- B. When they take more than one day to complete
- C. When they are done on an aircraft used for hire
- D. When not listed in the aircraft specifications issued by the FAA
Show answer
Answer: D. When not listed in the aircraft specifications issued by the FAA
Paragraph (a)(1) states that alterations of the listed parts and types, "when not listed in the aircraft specifications issued by the FAA, are airframe major alterations".
3. An owner plans a change to the aircraft's empty weight and empty balance. Appendix A (a)(1)(xi) lists changes to the empty weight or empty balance that result in what?
- A. An increase in the maximum certificated weight or center of gravity limits of the aircraft
- B. Any change of the empty weight, however small
- C. A change that needs a new equipment list
- D. A reduction of the aircraft's useful load
Show answer
Answer: A. An increase in the maximum certificated weight or center of gravity limits of the aircraft
Item (a)(1)(xi) reads: "Changes to the empty weight or empty balance which result in an increase in the maximum certificated weight or center of gravity limits of the aircraft."
4. Under Appendix A (a)(1)(xiii), changes to the wing or to fixed or movable control surfaces are listed as airframe major alterations when they affect which characteristics?
- A. Paint and finish characteristics
- B. Stall warning characteristics
- C. Flutter and vibration characteristics
- D. Ground handling characteristics
Show answer
Answer: C. Flutter and vibration characteristics
Item (a)(1)(xiii) reads: "Changes to the wing or to fixed or movable control surfaces which affect flutter and vibration characteristics."
5. Appendix A (a)(2)(i) lists the conversion of an aircraft engine from one approved model to another as a powerplant major alteration when the conversion involves what?
- A. Any changes in compression ratio, propeller reduction gear, impeller gear ratios or the substitution of major engine parts which requires extensive rework and testing of the engine
- B. Only a change of the model designation on the engine's data plate, with no change to the engine's parts
- C. Only changes that increase the engine's rated power
- D. Only changes made by a person other than the engine manufacturer
Show answer
Answer: A. Any changes in compression ratio, propeller reduction gear, impeller gear ratios or the substitution of major engine parts which requires extensive rework and testing of the engine
Item (a)(2)(i) covers a conversion "involving any changes in compression ratio, propeller reduction gear, impeller gear ratios or the substitution of major engine parts which requires extensive rework and testing of the engine."
6. Under Appendix A (a)(2)(ii), changes to the engine by replacing aircraft engine structural parts are a powerplant major alteration when the replacement parts are which?
- A. Parts bought from a different parts distributor
- B. Parts not supplied by the original manufacturer or parts not specifically approved by the Administrator
- C. Parts that are new rather than overhauled
- D. Parts installed by the holder of a powerplant rating
Show answer
Answer: B. Parts not supplied by the original manufacturer or parts not specifically approved by the Administrator
Item (a)(2)(ii) reads: "Changes to the engine by replacing aircraft engine structural parts with parts not supplied by the original manufacturer or parts not specifically approved by the Administrator."
Propeller and appliance major alterations
7. Under Appendix A (a)(3), when are the listed alterations of a propeller propeller major alterations?
- A. When the propeller has more than two blades
- B. When the propeller is removed from the aircraft for the work
- C. When the work is done by a repair station
- D. When not authorized in the propeller specifications issued by the FAA
Show answer
Answer: D. When not authorized in the propeller specifications issued by the FAA
Paragraph (a)(3) states: "The following alterations of a propeller when not authorized in the propeller specifications issued by the FAA are propeller major alterations".
8. Under Appendix A (a)(4), which alterations of an appliance's basic design are appliance major alterations?
- A. Any alteration of the basic design, however it is made
- B. Only alterations requested by the aircraft owner
- C. Alterations of the basic design not made in accordance with recommendations of the appliance manufacturer or in accordance with an FAA Airworthiness Directive
- D. Only alterations that add weight to the appliance
Show answer
Answer: C. Alterations of the basic design not made in accordance with recommendations of the appliance manufacturer or in accordance with an FAA Airworthiness Directive
Paragraph (a)(4) states: "Alterations of the basic design not made in accordance with recommendations of the appliance manufacturer or in accordance with an FAA Airworthiness Directive are appliance major alterations."
9. Appendix A (a)(4) also covers communication and navigation equipment approved under type certification or a Technical Standard Order. Which changes to that equipment does it say are also major alterations?
- A. Only changes that replace the equipment's display
- B. Only changes made outside the equipment manufacturer's facility
- C. Only changes that require new wiring in the aircraft
- D. Changes that have an effect on frequency stability, noise level, sensitivity, selectivity, distortion, spurious radiation, AVC characteristics, or ability to meet environmental test conditions, and other changes that have an effect on the performance of the equipment
Show answer
Answer: D. Changes that have an effect on frequency stability, noise level, sensitivity, selectivity, distortion, spurious radiation, AVC characteristics, or ability to meet environmental test conditions, and other changes that have an effect on the performance of the equipment
The appendix covers changes to such equipment "that have an effect on frequency stability, noise level, sensitivity, selectivity, distortion, spurious radiation, AVC characteristics, or ability to meet environmental test conditions and other changes that have an effect on the performance of the equipment are also major alterations."
Airframe major repairs
10. Appendix A (b)(1) lists parts and types of repairs of an airframe. What must those repairs involve to be airframe major repairs?
- A. The strengthening, reinforcing, splicing, and manufacturing of primary structural members or their replacement, when replacement is by fabrication such as riveting or welding
- B. Any work on the airframe that takes the aircraft out of service
- C. Any repair that needs paint or a protective coating
- D. Only repairs made after an accident reported to the FAA
Show answer
Answer: A. The strengthening, reinforcing, splicing, and manufacturing of primary structural members or their replacement, when replacement is by fabrication such as riveting or welding
Paragraph (b)(1) covers repairs "involving the strengthening, reinforcing, splicing, and manufacturing of primary structural members or their replacement, when replacement is by fabrication such as riveting or welding, are airframe major repairs."
11. A shop is rebottoming a fuel tank. Appendix A (b)(1)(xxviii) lists repairing, including rebottoming, of which tanks as an airframe major repair?
- A. Only removable fuel tanks
- B. Removable or integral fuel tanks and oil tanks
- C. Only integral fuel tanks, not oil tanks
- D. Only oil tanks mounted on the engine
Show answer
Answer: B. Removable or integral fuel tanks and oil tanks
Item (b)(1)(xxviii) reads: "Repairing, including rebottoming, of removable or integral fuel tanks and oil tanks."
Powerplant, propeller and appliance major repairs
12. A shop plans a special repair to a structural engine part. Under Appendix A (b)(2)(iii), which repair methods does this listed powerplant major repair name?
- A. Welding, plating, metalizing, or other methods
- B. Welding only
- C. Only methods the engine manufacturer has not approved
- D. Only methods that require extensive testing of the engine afterward
Show answer
Answer: A. Welding, plating, metalizing, or other methods
Item (b)(2)(iii) reads: "Special repairs to structural engine parts by welding, plating, metalizing, or other methods."
Preventive maintenance: the limit and item conditions
13. Under Appendix A (c)(15), replacing seats or seat parts is in the preventive maintenance list with which replacement parts?
- A. Any parts of equal or greater strength than the originals
- B. Parts taken from any aircraft of the same category
- C. Parts chosen by the aircraft owner
- D. Replacement parts approved for the aircraft
Show answer
Answer: D. Replacement parts approved for the aircraft
Item (c)(15) reads: "Replacing seats or seat parts with replacement parts approved for the aircraft, not involving disassembly of any primary structure or operating system."
14. Under Appendix A (c)(19), replacing any cowling is in the preventive maintenance list when the work does not require what?
- A. Removal of the engine from its mount
- B. A ground run of the engine afterward
- C. Removal of the propeller or disconnection of flight controls
- D. The use of any hand tools
Show answer
Answer: C. Removal of the propeller or disconnection of flight controls
Item (c)(19) reads: "Replacing any cowling not requiring removal of the propeller or disconnection of flight controls."
15. An owner wants to install an anti-misfueling device that reduces the diameter of the fuel tank filler opening as preventive maintenance under Appendix A (c)(28). Which of these is one of the item's conditions?
- A. The device is supplied by the fuel tank's manufacturer
- B. Installation does not involve the disassembly of the existing tank filler opening
- C. The device is installed within 30 days after an annual inspection
- D. The aircraft is operated under part 121
Show answer
Answer: B. Installation does not involve the disassembly of the existing tank filler opening
Item (c)(28) covers such devices "provided the specific device has been made a part of the aircraft type" certificate data by the aircraft manufacturer, "the aircraft manufacturer has provided FAA-approved instructions for installation of the specific device, and installation does not involve the disassembly of the existing tank filler opening."
16. Under Appendix A (c)(6), lubrication is in the preventive maintenance list when it does not require disassembly other than what?
- A. Removal of the propeller
- B. Disconnection of flight controls
- C. Removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings
- D. Removal of any part the owner chooses
Show answer
Answer: C. Removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings
Item (c)(6) reads: "Lubrication not requiring disassembly other than removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings."
17. A pilot wants to replace the wheels on a small airplane as preventive maintenance. Under Appendix A (c)(18), what condition applies to replacing wheels and skis?
- A. The new wheels must come from the original manufacturer
- B. A mechanic must be present for the work
- C. No weight and balance computation is involved
- D. The work must be done at a repair station
Show answer
Answer: C. No weight and balance computation is involved
Item (c)(18) reads: "Replacing wheels and skis where no weight and balance computation is involved."
18. A pilot makes small simple repairs to a cowling, including a small patch and reinforcement. Under Appendix A (c)(12), what must the small patches and reinforcements not do?
- A. Change the contour so as to interfere with proper air flow
- B. Use any material other than aluminum
- C. Add any weight to the aircraft
- D. Cover more than one fastener
Show answer
Answer: A. Change the contour so as to interfere with proper air flow
Item (c)(12) reads: "Making small simple repairs to fairings, nonstructural cover plates, cowlings, and small patches and reinforcements not changing the contour so as to interfere with proper air flow."
Preventive maintenance: balloons, primary category and avionics
19. Appendix A (c)(30) covers inspection and maintenance tasks in a primary category aircraft's approved special inspection and preventive maintenance program. Under (c)(30)(i), who performs them?
- A. Any pilot who rents the aircraft
- B. Any person who has read the program's instructions
- C. A student pilot who is a co-owner of the aircraft
- D. The holder of at least a private pilot certificate issued under part 61 who is the registered owner (including co-owners) of the affected aircraft and who holds a certificate of competency for the affected aircraft
Show answer
Answer: D. The holder of at least a private pilot certificate issued under part 61 who is the registered owner (including co-owners) of the affected aircraft and who holds a certificate of competency for the affected aircraft
Item (c)(30)(i) requires that the tasks are "performed by the holder of at least a private pilot certificate issued under part 61 of this chapter who is the registered owner (including co-owners) of the affected aircraft and who holds a certificate of competency for the affected aircraft".
20. Appendix A (c)(31) covers removing and replacing self-contained, front instrument panel-mounted navigation and communication devices that employ tray-mounted connectors. What does it require of the approved unit?
- A. It must be installed by the unit's manufacturer
- B. It must be designed to be readily and repeatedly removed and replaced, and pertinent instructions must be provided
- C. It must be connected by individually soldered wires
- D. It must be less than five years old
Show answer
Answer: B. It must be designed to be readily and repeatedly removed and replaced, and pertinent instructions must be provided
Item (c)(31) states: "The approved unit must be designed to be readily and repeatedly removed and replaced, and pertinent instructions must be provided."