A&P Practical Projects: What the DME Evaluates on the O&P
A&P practical projects assess a task and the questions associated with it, rather than another set of stand-alone oral questions. At the O&P, the assigned wording matters: locating and explaining a procedure calls for different work from inspecting, checking, and servicing a system.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 16
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What do the O&P practical projects evaluate?
Current FAA Order 8900.1 says a practical project consists of a skill element and two practical questions. The applicant may use applicable references for both the skill element and the questions. The examiner makes the reference materials available, and using reference material the examiner did not provide is prohibited. The examiner personally observes the projects and evaluates whether the applicant selects appropriate tools and data.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 16 · p. 13 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. A-1
The FAA MTG FAQ (updated May 22, 2023) says the number of practical projects that must be tested is 9 for General, 11 for Airframe, and 11 for Powerplant. Those counts describe test sections; they do not identify which particular projects you will receive. The ACS says selections are not disclosed before testing begins.
FAA MTG FAQ, PDF p. 4 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. A-1
How do ACS skills turn into practical work?
| ACS skill | What the published standard asks for |
|---|---|
| AM.I.E.S1 — General | Install safety wire on nuts, bolts, and turnbuckles. |
| AM.I.C.S8 — General | Compute the empty weight and empty weight CG of an aircraft. |
| AM.II.A.S5 — Airframe | Design a repair using a manufacturer's structural repair manual. |
| AM.II.A.S9 — Airframe | Trim and form a piece of sheet metal to fit a prepared area. |
FAA-S-ACS-1, p. 7 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. 4 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. 19
Use the verbs in the assigned task to organize your practice. For a calculation, show your inputs and arithmetic. For a fabrication, work from the drawing and inspect the finished piece. This is our study approach, not a prediction that every DME assigns the four tasks in the table.
On the test and in real work, follow the manufacturer’s current data or other applicable approved data; on the test, also follow the task the DME assigns. Our practice guides and the FAA sample projects do not set aircraft-specific limits or replace the assigned procedure.
FAA-S-ACS-1, p. A-3 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. A-1 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 16 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. 19
Is there an official practical projects PDF?
There is an official sample, not a list of your projects. The FAA sample oral and practical test PDF is marked for practice purposes only. Its General example asks the applicant to compute the forward and aft loaded CG limit, given the manufacturer’s publications, weight and balance records, and project information for the assigned aircraft. Its Powerplant example asks the applicant to locate and explain fuel-control-unit removal and installation procedures. Those examples illustrate different tasks; they are not your assigned test.
FAA sample O&P, PDF p. 6 · FAA sample O&P, PDF p. 7
What makes a project pass or fail?
Order 8900.1 requires the skill demonstration to be completed successfully on the first attempt and both associated practical questions to be answered successfully for the project to pass. The project must meet its required performance standard. The ACS also says disregard for safety results in failure.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 16 · FAA-S-ACS-1, p. A-3
During study, ask your instructor to review both the work and your explanation. A finished component with an unexplained procedure, or a fluent explanation without a satisfactory task result, leaves something to review. Keep a record of the specific correction needed.
What should you confirm about a retest?
The current FAA documents describe the oral retest differently. The MTG FAQ and the current ACS Companion Guide describe retaking the entire failed oral section; Order 8900.1, paragraph 5-5-11-7E2, instead describes a retest of the ACS codes marked as failed or not tested on the previous test. For the practical, the FAQ and the current Companion Guide both describe a retest on the failed projects plus anything not tested on the previous test. Ask the DME how your retest will be generated and which recorded results apply.
FAA MTG FAQ, PDF p. 4 · FAA ACS Companion Guide (with Changes 1 & 2), p. 24 · FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 20
For task-specific practice, use our safety-wire installation guide, worked weight-and-balance problem, and sheet-metal layout exercise. Keep the manufacturer’s procedure and the examiner’s assigned task beside the work.
Frequently asked questions
Does every applicant receive the same O&P practical projects?
No. The ACS says you may not know, before testing begins, which selections are on your test, so a list of sample projects is not a list of assignments for every applicant.
Can I use reference material during a practical project?
Yes, but only the reference material the examiner provides. Current Order 8900.1 allows it for both the skill element and the project’s practical questions.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 16 · p. 13
Is the practical just a longer oral test?
No. A practical project includes a skill element as well as two associated questions, and you must complete it to the required performance standard.
FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, p. 16
Will a retest always cover only the failed projects?
No. The MTG FAQ and the current ACS Companion Guide say a practical retest also covers projects or subject areas not tested on your previous test, so confirm the retest plan with the DME.
FAA MTG FAQ, PDF p. 4 · FAA ACS Companion Guide (with Changes 1 & 2), p. 24
Rehearse the spoken answer with DMEReady
DMEReady is an AI voice examiner for the A&P oral in your phone or computer browser. You answer out loud, and it asks follow-up questions the way a DME would. An oral can also be built from the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). It rehearses the oral; it does not train hands-on practical skills. After a session, the report shows what you covered, what you missed, what a complete answer includes, and where to read in the FAA handbooks. You can save the report as a PDF study sheet or share a result image that never shows your answers or name. The first drill is free, with no sign-up. DMEReady is an AI examiner, not a human DME. It is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA; it does not predict or guarantee results.
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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.
Related guides
- Practice a safety-wire installation
- Work an empty-weight CG problem
- Lay out a bend and rivet row
- The A&P oral and practical exam, explained
- FAA practical test changes in 2026
- Failed your O&P? The retest, explained
Sources
FAA sources checked October 18, 2026.
- FAA Order 8900.1, Vol. 5, Ch. 5, Sec. 11, Administer an Oral and a Practical Test (CHG 929, 9/17/2024)
- FAA-S-ACS-1
- FAA Mechanic Test Generator FAQs, updated May 22, 2023
- FAA sample oral and practical test
- FAA-G-ACS-1, Companion Guide to the Mechanic ACS (with Changes 1 & 2, September 2024)
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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