Airframe Oral Exam Questions: What a DME Asks
Airframe oral questions come from the 15 Airframe subjects of the FAA's Aviation Mechanic ACS, from metallic structures to water and waste systems. Every applicant gets at least 4 random airframe questions, plus one more for each Airframe ACS code missed on the knowledge test, up to 34. Below are 12 sample questions with short answers and the FAA handbook chapter to study for each.
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What the airframe oral covers
The airframe oral covers Section II of FAA-S-ACS-1, which has 15 subjects lettered A through O. Each oral question carries an ACS code such as AM.II.E.K8, where II is Airframe and E is the subject.
| Code | Airframe subject |
|---|---|
| AM.II.A | Metallic Structures |
| AM.II.B | Non-Metallic Structures |
| AM.II.C | Flight Controls |
| AM.II.D | Airframe Inspection |
| AM.II.E | Landing Gear Systems |
| AM.II.F | Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems |
| AM.II.G | Environmental Systems |
| AM.II.H | Aircraft Instrument Systems |
| AM.II.I | Communication and Navigation Systems |
| AM.II.J | Aircraft Fuel Systems |
| AM.II.K | Aircraft Electrical Systems |
| AM.II.L | Ice and Rain Control Systems |
| AM.II.M | Airframe Fire Protection Systems |
| AM.II.N | Rotorcraft Fundamentals |
| AM.II.O | Water and Waste Systems |
The ACS says an applicant is not permitted to know ahead of time which selections from each subject will be on the test. So prepare for all 15, not only the ones you expect.
How many airframe oral questions will you get?
You will get between 4 and 34 airframe oral questions. The number depends on your Airframe knowledge test report (AKTR), according to the FAA's Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) FAQ:
- Minimum 4. Even with 100 percent on the written, the MTG adds 4 random airframe questions.
- One per missed ACS code. Each different code on your AKTR adds one question. Several misses under the same code add only one.
- Maximum 34. An applicant who passed the written with 70 percent could get the full 34.
Every question on the DME's test planning sheet must be asked, and the DME does not pick and choose. You answer out loud, with no reference material, and the 70 percent passing standard applies to the airframe oral as a whole, not subject by subject. To read the codes on your own report, see A&P ACS codes: know your codes before the oral. For the whole test day, start with the A&P oral and practical exam guide.
Sample airframe oral questions by subject
These 12 practice airframe oral questions cover 12 of the 15 subjects. They come from DMEReady's question pool, which is written from FAA handbooks and tagged with ACS codes. They are not copied from the FAA's test generator. The FAA's own published sample test shows the same short, direct style:
AM.II.A.K2: What are the four common basic stresses on an aircraft?
AM.II.D.K1: To establish conformity of an aircraft product the mechanic must start with what document?
From the FAA sample oral and practical test, Section II (Airframe).
Metallic Structures (AM.II.A.K8)
When a rivet has to be replaced, how do you remove it without enlarging the hole?
Work from the manufactured head, because it is more symmetrical about the shank. Drill to the depth of the head with a bit one size smaller than the shank, held at 90 degrees, and do not drill too deep or the shank turns and tears the metal. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 4
More sheet metal practice questions
Non-Metallic Structures (AM.II.B.K18)
A composite panel looks clean on the surface. Why isn't a visual inspection enough?
A visual check cannot find internal flaws such as delaminations, disbonds, and matrix crazing. Tap testing is the most common check for them: a clear, sharp ring means a sound bond and a dull thud means a problem area, though tap testing is not reliable on structures with more than four plies. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 7
More non-metallic structures practice questions
Flight Controls (AM.II.C.K2)
When you inspect an aircraft control cable, which areas deserve special attention?
Places where cables pass through battery compartments, lavatories, and wheel wells, which are prime corrosion areas, and fatigue areas: over pulleys, through fairleads, and within 1 foot of a swaged fitting. Running a rag along the cable will snag on broken strands. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 2
More flight controls and rigging practice questions
Airframe Inspection (AM.II.D.K1)
When is a 100-hour inspection required on an aircraft?
When the aircraft is operated under 14 CFR part 91 and used for hire, such as flight training. It is due every 100 hours of service in addition to the annual, using a checklist that covers at least the items in part 43, Appendix D. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 2
More airframe inspection practice questions
Landing Gear Systems (AM.II.E.K8)
Why do large aircraft with power brakes need an anti-skid system?
The crew cannot tell right away when a wheel starts to skid, and an uncorrected skid can blow a tire, damage the aircraft, and lead to loss of control. The system senses a skid, or one about to happen, and briefly relieves brake pressure on that wheel so it keeps turning. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 13
More landing gear practice questions
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems (AM.II.F.K7)
Before disassembling a hydraulic accumulator, what must be done with the preload?
Make sure all the air or nitrogen preload has been discharged, because failing to release it can seriously injure the technician. Know which type of high-pressure air valve the unit uses, then follow the manufacturer's instructions. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 12
More hydraulic and pneumatic practice questions
Environmental Systems (AM.II.G.K4)
Walk me through how an exhaust shroud heating system warms the cabin air.
Outside air passes through a metal shroud around part of the exhaust, picks up heat, and flows through a firewall heater valve into the cabin. The big risk is carbon monoxide: even a slight crack can be fatal, so the system is leak-checked, often by pressurizing the exhaust and using a soapy solution. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 16
More environmental systems practice questions
Aircraft Instrument Systems (AM.II.H.K19)
What does 14 CFR 91.411 require before an aircraft is operated under IFR?
The static system, altimeter, and automatic altitude reporting system must have been tested within the preceding 24 calendar months to part 43, Appendix E. An A&P mechanic is not qualified to do the altimeter tests; the manufacturer or a certificated repair station does them. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 10
More aircraft instrument systems practice questions
Communication and Navigation Systems (AM.II.I.K3)
Why are static dischargers installed on an aircraft?
To reduce radio interference from corona discharge caused by precipitation static. They sit on control surface trailing edges, wingtips, and the vertical stabilizer, and resistance from the mount to the airframe should not exceed 0.1 ohm. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 11
More communication and navigation practice questions
Aircraft Fuel Systems (AM.II.J.K2)
How does a fuel strainer differ from a fuel filter?
A strainer is coarse wire mesh that stops large debris but does not stop water. A filter is fine mesh that traps fine sediment and also helps trap water. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 14
More aircraft fuel systems practice questions
Aircraft Electrical Systems (AM.II.K.K15)
How many terminal lugs should be connected to any one stud?
No more than four, and that count includes a bus bar joining adjacent studs. Four lugs plus a bus bar on one stud is not permitted. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 9
More aircraft electrical systems practice questions
Airframe Fire Protection Systems (AM.II.M.K3)
An engine fire detection system keeps giving intermittent alarms. What is the most common cause?
An intermittent short in the detector wiring, such as a loose wire touching a terminal, a frayed wire brushing structure, or a sensing element rubbed through its insulation. Moving the wires to recreate the short often finds it. FAA-H-8083-31B, ch. 17
More airframe fire protection practice questions
How to answer airframe oral questions out loud
The clearest spoken answer has three parts: say the answer, explain why, then name the safety or inspection point. Take the accumulator question:
- State the answer. "Discharge all the preload air or nitrogen first."
- Explain why. "One side holds fluid at system pressure, and the other side is charged with nitrogen or air to a preload pressure."
- Add the safety angle. "If you open it with the preload in, you can be seriously hurt. I would confirm the valve type and follow the manufacturer's instructions."
A few habits help:
- Lead with the answer. Do not warm up with a long story. The examiner wants to hear the key point first.
- Stop when you are done. The ACS tells examiners that extra detail in parentheses in the answer key is not something the applicant is expected to recite. A complete, short answer is better than a long one that drifts.
- Do not invent. If you do not know a number, say what you do know and where you would find it in the manufacturer's data. A guessed number can undo an otherwise good answer.
For more on the examiner's side, see what a DME asks and how to pass the A&P oral. The other two sections have their own guides: General oral questions and Powerplant oral questions.
Say your airframe answers out loud before the real thing
Reading these answers is a start, but the oral is spoken. DMEReady is an AI voice examiner: you answer out loud in your browser and it asks follow-up questions like a DME would. After each session you get a report of what you covered, what you missed, and where to read in the FAA handbooks. Your first drill is free, with no sign-up.
Start a free airframe drillFrequently asked questions
How many questions are on the A&P airframe oral?
At least 4 and at most 34. You get 4 random airframe questions, plus one for each different Airframe ACS code you missed on the knowledge test.
Can I use AC 43.13 or the handbook during the airframe oral?
No. You may not use any reference material to answer oral questions. References are allowed for the questions asked during the practical projects.
Does the DME pick which airframe questions to ask?
No. All questions on the test planning sheet must be asked, and the DME does not get to pick and choose.
If I miss every question in one subject, do I fail the airframe oral?
Not necessarily. The 70 percent standard is applied to the whole oral test, not by subject, so you can miss all the questions in one subject and still pass.
I am testing at my school before my written tests. How many airframe oral questions will I get?
If you are authorized to test under 14 CFR 65.80 before the written tests, the test generator works as if you scored 70 percent. Expect the maximum of 34 airframe oral questions.
Oral coming up soon? Try the full thing free for 30 days
We are running a small pilot before launch. If your oral and practical is in the next few weeks, you get every section of the voice mock oral free for 30 days, no card. In return, tell us honestly what helped and what didn’t.
Start the free pilotLimited spots. The pilot closes on November 30.
Passed a written? Get your oral study plan by email
Paste the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). We’ll email you a study plan now, then two short tasks built from your codes: one on day 3, one on day 7. That’s all.
Sources
- FAA, FAA-S-ACS-1, Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, Section II (Airframe) and Appendix 1.
- FAA, Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (updated 5/22/2023), Oral-related questions and 14 CFR 65.80.
- FAA, Sample Test, Oral and Practical, Section II.
- FAA, FAA-H-8083-31B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook: Airframe, chapters 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17.
About this guide: drafted with AI from the FAA sources listed on this page and checked claim by claim against them. Not reviewed by an A&P mechanic or DME. How we make our guides
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