Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Mechanic (Airframe)

Credential: Mechanic (Airframe)  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Mechanic (Airframe) credential is for mechanics who perform or supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance or alteration of airframes. Airframe mechanics are authorized to work on any part of the aircraft except the instruments, power plants, and propellers. Airframe mechanics work in hangars, repair stations, or out on the airfield on the "flight lines" where aircraft park. Mechanic (Airframe) applicants must be at least 18 years old, be able to read, write, speak and understand English, and meet education, training and experience requirements. Applicants must also pass written, oral, and practical exams.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Mechanic (Airframe)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 18 months
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC  20591

Phone: (866) 835-5322

Contact Page

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Applicant must be a high school graduate or an equivalent.

Applicant must present either an appropriate graduation certificate or certificate of completion from a certificated aviation maintenance technician school or documentary evidence, satisfactory to the Administrator, of—

  • At least 18 months of practical experience with the procedures, practices, materials, tools, machine tools, and equipment generally used in constructing, maintaining, or altering airframes, or powerplants appropriate to the rating sought; or 
  • At least 30 months of practical experience concurrently performing the duties appropriate to both the airframe and powerplant ratings.

Note: Candidate may gain the experience to become a certified power plant mechanic in one of three ways.
  • Attend one of the FAA Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools nationwide.
  • Work at an FAA Repair Station under the supervision of a certified mechanic for 18 months for powerplant certification or must have 30 months of practical experience working on powerplant and airframe both at the same time.
  • Join the armed services in a military occupational specialty for which the FAA gives credit.

To obtain funding through USMC COOL service members must provide:

  • FAA Form 8610-1 and FAA Form 8610-2, signed by approving official from the FAA, along with voucher request. The 8610 forms will justify military experience through the FAA.
  • The testing agency's name, address and point of contact information must be on the voucher request.
  • Please indicate which exam(s) are being requested for funding: FAA Mechanic (Airframe/Power Plant) written exam, practical exam, oral exam, or all three on the voucher form before submitting for approval.

The Mechanic (Airframe) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
  • Applicant must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Show Written Exam Requirements / Hide Written Exam Requirements

  • Basic Electricity
  • Aircraft Drawings
  • Weight and Balance
  • Fluid Lines and Fittings
  • Materials and Processes
  • Ground Operations and Servicing
  • Basic Physics
  • Cleaning and Corrosion Control
  • Mathematics
  • Maintenance Forms and Records
  • Maintenance Publications
  • Mechanic Privileges and Limitations

  • Airframe Structures
    • Wood Structures
    • Aircraft Covering
    • Aircraft Finishes
    • Sheet Metal and Non-metallic Structures
    • Welding
    • Assembly and Rigging
    • Airframe Inspection
  • Airframe Systems and Components
    • Aircraft Landing Gear Systems
    • Hydraulic and Pneumatic Power Systems
    • Cabin Atmosphere Control Systems
    • Aircraft Instrument Systems
    • Communication and Navigation Systems
    • Aircraft Fuel Systems
    • Aircraft Electrical Systems
    • Position and Warning Systems
    • Ice and Rain Control Systems
    • Fire Protection Systems

Oral Exam Requirement

  • A Designated Mechanic Examiner gives you the oral exam along with the practical test. You can get a list of these examiners at the local FAA office. The oral and practical tests cover 43 technical subjects.

Show Practical Exam Requirements / Hide Practical Exam Requirements

  • Basic Electricity
  • Aircraft Drawings
  • Aircraft Weight and Balance
  • Fluid Lines and Fittings
  • Aircraft Materials, Processes and Hardware
  • Safety, Ground Operations, and Servicing
  • Aircraft Cleaning and Corrosion Control
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Maintenance Forms and Records
  • Maintenance Publications
  • Aviation Mechanic Privileges and Limitations

  • Airframe Structures
    • Wood Structures
    • Aircraft Covering
    • Aircraft Finishes
    • Sheet Metal and Non-metallic Structures
    • Welding
    • Assembly and Rigging
    • Airframe Inspection
  • Airframe Systems and Components
    • Aircraft Landing Gear Systems
    • Hydraulic and Pneumatic Power Systems
    • Cabin Atmosphere Control Systems
    • Aircraft Instrument Systems
    • Communication and Navigation Systems
    • Aircraft Fuel Systems
    • Aircraft Electrical Systems
    • Position and Warning System
    • Ice and Rain Control Systems
    • Fire Protection Systems

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Mechanic (Airframe) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Mechanic (Airframe) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) testing process, visit the agency website.

Additional considerations for the Mechanic (Airframe) include:

  • A Designated Mechanic Examiner gives the oral exam along with the practical test. Applicant can get a list of these examiners at the local FAA office.
  • To be eligible to obtain General and Airframe exam permission slips from the FAA, applicant must present the following:
    • An official letter from the military employer certifying the length of service. Applicant may have multiple letters but he/she must total 18 months of experience. Applicant cannot count time spent on training for the specialty, only the time spent working in the specialty.
    • The make and model of the aircraft or engine on which the applicant gained practical experience, and where the experience was gained.
  • Applicant must document his/her experience with pay receipts, a logbook signed by the applicant's supervising mechanic, a notarized statement from the employer, or other proof the applicant worked the required time.
  • The FAA Airworthiness Inspector decides if the applicant meets the requirements to take the exams.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

Click to go to the external ANAB web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

Click to go to the external ICAC web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

Click to go to the external IAS web site.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

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Updated: January 29, 2021
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