Aviation mechanic performance and inspection rules practice questions
20 free practice questions from 14 CFR 43.13 to 43.17 and Appendix D. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Aviation mechanic performance and inspection rules
20 questions across 8 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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General performance rules
1. Under 43.13(a), which tools, equipment, and test apparatus must a person performing maintenance, alteration, or preventive maintenance use?
- A. Only tools the aircraft owner supplies
- B. Those necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices
- C. Only tools the FAA has calibrated
- D. Only the tools listed in the pilot's operating handbook
Show answer
Answer: B. Those necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices
43.13(a) says: "That person shall use the tools, equipment, and test apparatus necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted industry practices."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.13, Performance rules (general) (as of Nov 4, 2026)
2. The manufacturer of an engine recommends special test apparatus for a job. Under 43.13(a), what must the person doing the work use?
- A. Any test apparatus the person considers adequate for the job
- B. Only the manufacturer's own apparatus, with no equivalent allowed
- C. Whatever apparatus the aircraft owner provides for the job
- D. That equipment or apparatus or its equivalent acceptable to the Administrator
Show answer
Answer: D. That equipment or apparatus or its equivalent acceptable to the Administrator
43.13(a) says: "If special equipment or test apparatus is recommended by the manufacturer involved, that person must use that equipment or apparatus or its equivalent acceptable to the Administrator."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.13, Performance rules (general) (as of Nov 4, 2026)
3. 43.13(b) requires work and materials that leave the item at least equal to its original or properly altered condition. With regard to which qualities?
- A. Aerodynamic function, structural strength, resistance to vibration and deterioration, and other qualities affecting airworthiness
- B. Paint finish, interior trim, and overall appearance
- C. Resale value and the owner's preferences
- D. Fuel economy and cabin noise only
Show answer
Answer: A. Aerodynamic function, structural strength, resistance to vibration and deterioration, and other qualities affecting airworthiness
43.13(b) measures the condition "(with regard to aerodynamic function, structural strength, resistance to vibration and deterioration, and other qualities affecting airworthiness)."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.13, Performance rules (general) (as of Nov 4, 2026)
4. Under 43.13(c), what is the status of the methods, techniques, and practices in the maintenance manual of the holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate under part 121 or 135?
- A. They may be used only when the manufacturer's maintenance manual is unavailable
- B. They must be approved again by the aircraft manufacturer before each use
- C. Unless otherwise notified by the Administrator, they constitute acceptable means of compliance with 43.13
- D. They apply only to preventive maintenance and never to alterations
Show answer
Answer: C. Unless otherwise notified by the Administrator, they constitute acceptable means of compliance with 43.13
43.13(c) says that "Unless otherwise notified by the Administrator" these methods, techniques, and practices "constitute acceptable means of compliance with this section."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.13, Performance rules (general) (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Inspection rules and rotorcraft
5. Under 43.15(a)(1), what must each person performing an inspection required by part 91, 125, or 135 determine?
- A. Whether the aircraft, or portion(s) thereof under inspection, meets all applicable airworthiness requirements
- B. Whether the aircraft can fly until its next registration renewal
- C. Whether the aircraft meets the owner's equipment preferences
- D. Whether the aircraft engine starts on the first attempt
Show answer
Answer: A. Whether the aircraft, or portion(s) thereof under inspection, meets all applicable airworthiness requirements
The person shall "Perform the inspection so as to determine whether the aircraft, or portion(s) thereof under inspection, meets all applicable airworthiness requirements".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
6. An inspection is one provided for in part 135. Under 43.15(a)(2), how must it be performed?
- A. In accordance with procedures chosen by the pilot in command
- B. In accordance with the instructions and procedures set forth in the inspection program for the aircraft being inspected
- C. In accordance with the procedures used by the aircraft's previous owner
- D. In any order the person performing the inspection prefers
Show answer
Answer: B. In accordance with the instructions and procedures set forth in the inspection program for the aircraft being inspected
If the inspection is one provided for in "part 125, 135, or § 91.409(e)", the person must "perform the inspection in accordance with the instructions and procedures set forth in the inspection program for the aircraft being inspected."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
7. Under 43.15(b), a person performing an inspection required by Part 91 on a rotorcraft inspects the drive shafts or similar systems in accordance with what?
- A. The pilot's preflight checklist for the rotorcraft
- B. A list agreed between the owner and the person inspecting
- C. The rotorcraft's most recent flight log entries
- D. The maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the manufacturer concerned
Show answer
Answer: D. The maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the manufacturer concerned
The person "shall inspect the following systems in accordance with the maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the manufacturer concerned", including "The drive shafts or similar systems."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Annual and 100-hour inspections
8. Before approving a reciprocating-engine-powered aircraft for return to service after a 100-hour inspection, the person runs the engine under 43.15(c)(2). Which pressures does that run check against the manufacturer's recommendations?
- A. Hydraulic and brake pressure
- B. Tire and landing gear strut pressure
- C. Fuel and oil pressure
- D. Cabin and pitot-static pressure
Show answer
Answer: C. Fuel and oil pressure
The person must "run the aircraft engine or engines to determine satisfactory performance in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations of" items that include "Fuel and oil pressure".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
9. Under 43.15(c)(3), after which inspections must a person approving a turbine-engine-powered aircraft for return to service first run the engine or engines?
- A. After an annual, 100-hour, or progressive inspection
- B. Only after an annual inspection
- C. Only after a progressive inspection
- D. Only after the engine has been removed and reinstalled
Show answer
Answer: A. After an annual, 100-hour, or progressive inspection
43.15(c)(3) covers approval "for return to service after an annual, 100-hour, or progressive inspection" and requires the person to "run the aircraft engine or engines to determine satisfactory performance in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
10. Under 43.15(c)(2), who must run the engine of a reciprocating-engine-powered aircraft after a 100-hour inspection, and when?
- A. The pilot, during the first flight after return to service
- B. Each person approving the aircraft for return to service, before that approval
- C. The aircraft owner, within the next 10 hours of flight time
- D. Any person, at any time after the approval is signed
Show answer
Answer: B. Each person approving the aircraft for return to service, before that approval
"Each person approving a reciprocating-engine-powered aircraft for return to service after an annual or 100-hour inspection shall, before that approval, run the aircraft engine or engines".
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Canadian persons (43.17)
11. An AMO whose system of quality control has been approved by Transport Canada Civil Aviation approves (certifies) a major alteration performed under 43.17. Under 43.17(e)(2), the work must have been performed in accordance with what?
- A. Notes written by the aircraft owner
- B. Any data the AMO's employee considers adequate
- C. The pilot's operating handbook carried in the aircraft
- D. Technical data approved by the FAA
Show answer
Answer: D. Technical data approved by the FAA
Such an AMO "may approve (certify) a major repair or major alteration performed under this section if the work was performed in accordance with technical data approved by the FAA."
12. 43.17(e)(1) makes one exception for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer when approving (certifying) work performed under 43.17. What does that exception name?
- A. Preventive maintenance
- B. Maintenance on a U.S.-registered aircraft located in Canada
- C. Alterations that are not major alterations
- D. A major repair or major alteration
Show answer
Answer: D. A major repair or major alteration
A person authorized in 43.17(c) "must approve (certify) maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations performed under this section, except that an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer may not approve a major repair or major alteration."
13. 43.17(d) lets a person authorized in 43.17(c) perform maintenance including inspections required by § 91.409, with one exception. Which inspection is excluded?
- A. A 100-hour inspection
- B. An annual inspection
- C. A progressive inspection
- D. An inspection under an inspection program approved under § 91.409(e)
Show answer
Answer: B. An annual inspection
Such a person "may perform maintenance (including any inspection required by Sec. 91.409 of this chapter, except an annual inspection), preventive maintenance, and alterations" under the listed conditions.
Progressive inspections
14. An aircraft has had its initial complete inspection under a progressive inspection system. Under 43.15(d)(1), how must the routine and detailed inspections that follow be conducted?
- A. Whenever the owner asks for them
- B. Only together with each annual inspection
- C. As prescribed in the progressive inspection schedule
- D. At intervals the pilot in command chooses
Show answer
Answer: C. As prescribed in the progressive inspection schedule
43.15(d)(1) says: "After this initial inspection, routine and detailed inspections must be conducted as prescribed in the progressive inspection schedule."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
15. For the purposes of 43.15(d)(1), how is the overhaul of a component or system treated?
- A. It is considered to be a detailed inspection
- B. It is considered to be a routine inspection
- C. It is considered to replace the initial complete inspection
- D. It is considered to be an annual inspection
Show answer
Answer: A. It is considered to be a detailed inspection
"For the purposes of this subparagraph, the overhaul of a component or system is considered to be a detailed inspection."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
16. An aircraft on a progressive inspection is away from the station where inspections are normally conducted. Under 43.15(d)(2), an appropriately rated mechanic who performs the inspection uses whose procedures and forms?
- A. The mechanic's own procedures and forms
- B. Those of the pilot in command
- C. Those of whichever repair station is nearest
- D. Those of the person who would otherwise perform the inspection
Show answer
Answer: D. Those of the person who would otherwise perform the inspection
"an appropriately rated mechanic, a certificated repair station, or the manufacturer of the aircraft may perform inspections in accordance with the procedures and using the forms of the person who would otherwise perform the inspection."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.15, Additional performance rules for inspections (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Airworthiness limitations
17. A person performs an inspection specified in an Airworthiness Limitations section of a manufacturer's maintenance manual. Under 43.16, how must it be performed?
- A. In accordance with any method the person performing it finds acceptable
- B. In accordance with the owner's written instructions in the aircraft records
- C. In accordance with that section, or operations specifications approved by the Administrator under part 121 or 135, or an inspection program approved under § 91.409(e)
- D. In accordance with the most recent practice used on another aircraft of the same model
Show answer
Answer: C. In accordance with that section, or operations specifications approved by the Administrator under part 121 or 135, or an inspection program approved under § 91.409(e)
The person "shall perform the inspection or other maintenance in accordance with that section, or in accordance with operations specifications approved by the Administrator under part 121 or 135, or an inspection program approved under § 91.409(e)."
Source: eCFR: 14 CFR 43.16, Airworthiness limitations (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Appendix D: preparation, fuselage and cabin
18. Under paragraph (a) of Appendix D to Part 43, what must each person performing an annual or 100-hour inspection do before that inspection?
- A. Drain all fuel and oil from the aircraft
- B. Remove or open all necessary inspection plates, access doors, fairing, and cowling, and thoroughly clean the aircraft and aircraft engine
- C. Weigh the aircraft and update its weight and balance
- D. Fly the aircraft to check its handling
Show answer
Answer: B. Remove or open all necessary inspection plates, access doors, fairing, and cowling, and thoroughly clean the aircraft and aircraft engine
The person "shall, before that inspection, remove or open all necessary inspection plates, access doors, fairing, and cowling. He shall thoroughly clean the aircraft and aircraft engine."
19. Under Appendix D, what is the item "Generally" in the cabin and cockpit group inspected for?
- A. The color and condition of the upholstery
- B. The number of seats compared with the passenger count
- C. Uncleanliness and loose equipment that might foul the controls
- D. Cabin temperature during engine run
Show answer
Answer: C. Uncleanliness and loose equipment that might foul the controls
The cabin and cockpit group item reads "Generally—for uncleanliness and loose equipment that might foul the controls."
Appendix D: engine, landing gear and other groups
20. During a 100-hour inspection, a mechanic comes to an installed miscellaneous item that no other part of the Appendix D listing covers. What does Appendix D require for that item?
- A. Inspect it (where applicable) for improper installation and improper operation
- B. Leave it out of the inspection, because only listed components are inspected
- C. Remove it from the aircraft before approving the aircraft for return to service
- D. Inspect it only if the aircraft owner asks for it
Show answer
Answer: A. Inspect it (where applicable) for improper installation and improper operation
Appendix D(j) says each person performing an annual or 100-hour inspection "shall inspect (where applicable) each installed miscellaneous item that is not otherwise covered by this listing for improper installation and improper operation."