What to Practice in the Hangar Before Your A&P Practical

October 26, 2026 · Primary sources checked October 26, 2026

For airframe and powerplant (A&P) candidates, we think useful practice for A&P practical skills starts with supervised sessions built around exact Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS) skill verbs. Before your oral and practical (O&P), our recommendation is to start with the seven source-based areas below and have your instructor select a safe training setup.

Set the safety boundary before O&P practice

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says an applicant should be well prepared across all ACS knowledge, risk management, and skill elements. Our seven areas are a planning example, not a prediction of your projects or a complete syllabus. The proposed rehearsals use drawings, records, calculations, a separate measuring piece, and instructor-cleared training parts. None calls for energizing equipment, moving an installed propeller, adjusting controls, handling fuel, or releasing an aircraft for service.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-1, PDF 65

ACS Appendix 2 says safety is the prime consideration at all times, and the evaluator ensures the applicant follows all safety recommendations and precautions during the assigned projects, including proper information and tools, equipment preparation, and observation of safety precautions. Examples of those precautions are wearing safety glasses, hearing protection, and any other required personal protective equipment (PPE). The ACS also includes cleaning, preparing, and protecting parts, tool-handling skill, thoroughness, and cleanliness. Current maintenance and overhaul publications and procedures are part of the safety expectations.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-3, PDF 67

Appropriate rules, risk management, and safety assessments apply. The appendix includes attitude toward safety, manufacturer recommendations, and acceptable industry practices. The ACS says the applicant should be aware that any disregard for safety is not tolerated and will result in a failure. When an exam project requires an action that would jeopardize safety, the evaluator will ask the applicant to simulate that portion.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-3, PDF 67

1. General: read a drawing without changing the controlled print

AM.I.B.S2 — “Identify the meaning of lines and symbols used in an aircraft drawing.” Handbook location: General, Chapter 4, Aircraft Drawings, “Lines and Their Meanings,” beginning at printed 4-16 (PDF 139). The handbook says never to make notes or marks on a print. Only authorized individuals are permitted to make notes or changes on prints, and they must sign and date any changes. Never spread prints on the floor or lay them on a surface covered with tools or objects that may make holes. Hands should be free of oil, grease, or other unclean matter when handling prints.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 3, PDF 8 · FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 4-16, PDF 139; Chapter 4, Lines and Their Meanings · FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 4-2, PDF 125; Chapter 4, Care & Use of Drawings

Open drawings slowly and carefully to prevent tearing, and smooth fold lines instead of bending them backward. After use, fold and return a drawing to its proper place; care should be taken to use the original folds.

FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 4-2, PDF 125; Chapter 4, Care & Use of Drawings

Our setup: use an instructor-provided training copy and separate note paper, not annotations on a controlled print. Point to a line or symbol, explain its meaning, and identify the drawing’s applicability. Keep prints clean, handle them carefully, and return them to their original folds and storage.

2. General: check a paper weight-and-balance problem

AM.I.C.S2 — “Perform weight and balance calculations.” Handbook location: General, Chapter 6, Weight & Balance, “Loading an Aircraft for Flight” and the following example, printed 6-19–6-20 (PDF 230–231). The handbook’s first illustrated loading is overweight and beyond the aft center-of-gravity (CG) limit.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 4, PDF 9 · FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 6-19, PDF 230; Chapter 6, Loading an Aircraft for Flight · FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 6-20, PDF 231; Chapter 6, Example Loading of an Airplane

Our exercise uses paper data only: explain the input sources, units, and applicable weight and CG limits before evaluating the result. Keep the example aircraft’s numbers confined to its example. A calculated CG alone is not a satisfactory check if weight or another applicable limit is exceeded. Do not turn this session into aircraft weighing, jacking, loading, or ballast installation.

3. General: identify and use the specified measuring tool

AM.I.K.S1 — “Use Vernier calipers.” Handbook location: General, Chapter 11, Hand Tools & Measuring Devices, “Slide Calipers” and Figure 11-41, printed 11-25–11-26 (PDF 440–441). Figure 11-41 includes a Vernier caliper.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 17, PDF 22 · FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 11-25, PDF 440; Chapter 11, Slide Calipers · FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 11-26, PDF 441; Figure 11-41

Our training plan: have an instructor select a separate practice piece and the correct caliper, then observe your handling and reading. Explain what dimension you measured and how you checked the result. Identifying a digital display is not a substitute for rehearsing the Vernier tool named by the element. No component serviceability decision follows from this practice measurement.

4. Airframe: prepare an applicable inspection checklist

AM.II.D.S5 — “Provide a checklist for conducting a 100-hour inspection.” Handbook location: General, Chapter 10, Inspection Concepts & Techniques, “Checklists,” printed 10-2–10-3 (PDF 378–379). The handbook says always to use a checklist during an inspection. The handbook says a checklist may be of your own design, manufacturer-provided, or obtained from another source.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 25, PDF 30 · FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 10-2, PDF 378; Chapter 10, Checklists

Our paper exercise: select a training aircraft with your instructor and identify the source and applicability of its checklist. Explain the coverage instead of claiming that handing over a list completes an inspection. Read the entire handbook checklist discussion and the aircraft’s applicable instructions; our summary does not replace either or direct an actual inspection.

5. Airframe: locate flight-control travel limits

AM.II.C.S13 — “Locate aircraft flight control travel limits.” Handbook location: Airframe, Chapter 2, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Assembly, and Rigging, “Control Surface Travel,” printed 2-50–2-52 (PDF 121–123). Rigging any control system requires following the aircraft manufacturer’s instructions as outlined in the maintenance manual.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 24, PDF 29 · FAA-H-8083-31B, Airframe (2023) — printed 2-50, PDF 121; Chapter 2, Control Surface Travel

For an actual range-of-movement check, the handbook says controls must be operated from the flight deck, not by moving control surfaces. During a travel check, ensure that chains, cables, and similar items have not reached their travel limit when the controls are against their stops. Installed dual controls must be synchronized and function satisfactorily from both positions. The tab position indicator must be checked for correct function. For trim-tab jackscrews, check that they do not extend beyond specified limits at the tab’s extreme positions.

FAA-H-8083-31B, Airframe (2023) — printed 2-52, PDF 123; Chapter 2, Control Surface Travel

Our lookup session: identify the applicable manual and show the travel-limit entry with its units and conditions. Explain how you established the aircraft and configuration match. Stop at locating the data; moving, measuring, tensioning, and adjusting the installed system require a separately prepared and supervised task.

6. Powerplant: identify crankshaft parts on a training aid

AM.III.A.S5 — “Identify the parts of a crankshaft.” Handbook location: Powerplant, Chapter 1, Aircraft Engines, “Crankshafts,” printed 1-7–1-8 (PDF 28–29). The text names the journal, crankpin, and crank cheek. The adjoining crankshaft-balance discussion says a shaft whose runout is beyond limits must be replaced.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 44, PDF 49 · FAA-H-8083-32B, Powerplant (2023) — printed 1-8, PDF 29; Chapter 1, Crankshafts · FAA-H-8083-32B, Powerplant (2023) — printed 1-8, PDF 29; Chapter 1, Crankshaft Balance

The handbook says any engine to be overhauled completely should receive a crankshaft runout check as a first step.

FAA-H-8083-32B, Powerplant (2023) — printed 1-8, PDF 29; Chapter 1, Crankshaft Balance

Our rehearsal uses a diagram or an instructor-cleared, uninstalled training part. Name the parts and explain their relationships without moving an engine or propeller. Identification does not establish serviceability; the handbook’s replacement requirement is not permission to measure against an invented limit.

7. Powerplant: identify carburetor components without fuel work

AM.III.I.S3 — “Identify carburetor components.” Handbook location: Powerplant, Chapter 2, Engine Fuel & Fuel Metering Systems, “Float-Type Carburetors” and “Float Chamber Mechanism System,” printed 2-9–2-10 (PDF 91–92). The float-chamber discussion says the fuel level must be maintained slightly below the discharge-nozzle outlet holes to provide the correct amount of fuel flow and to prevent fuel leakage from the nozzle when the engine is not operating.

FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 53, PDF 58 · FAA-H-8083-32B, Powerplant (2023) — printed 2-9, PDF 91; Chapter 2, Float-Type Carburetors · FAA-H-8083-32B, Powerplant (2023) — printed 2-10, PDF 92; Chapter 2, Float Chamber Mechanism System

Our session uses an illustration or an instructor-cleared cutaway to identify components and trace their relationships verbally. The handbook condition explains the system; it is not an adjustment specification for an unidentified carburetor. Do not connect fuel, remove a unit, tune, or operate an engine as part of this identification exercise.

Record what you actually practiced

Our study record separates three outcomes: located the reference, explained the action, and performed the skill under instruction. Ask your instructor to identify the gap before scheduling a harder session. The seven planning examples do not replace a complete ACS review or the equipment, precautions, and applicable data needed for hands-on maintenance.

Related guides

• How the full practical-project framework works
• A deeper weight-and-balance practical guide
• A deeper precision-measuring practical guide
• A separate guide to maintenance-record entries
• A deeper cable-tension and rigging practical guide

Designated mechanic examiner (DME) cost guide

Primary sources

• FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021)
• FAA-H-8083-31B, Airframe (2023)
• FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023)
• Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023)
• FAA-H-8083-32B, Powerplant (2023)

Before the oral

Allow for one oral question per distinct missed ACS code as well as at least four randomly selected questions per applicable section, according to the FAA Mechanic Test Generator FAQs. Our closing recommendation: after instructor-led practice, explain what you did, which reference applied, and where your practice stopped. Use voice rehearsal for the explanation; arrange separate instruction for the physical skill.

Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 3 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions · Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 4 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions

Review the explanation after your practice session

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