The Guide to Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Licenses

The aviation industry keeps planes running, driving economic growth, enabling international trade, transporting important cargo and connecting people across the globe.

Our reliance on plane travel and transportation has created a demand for airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics – especially ones that are licensed.

But how can getting an A&P license improve your career opportunities?

Keep reading to learn more about what airframe and powerplant mechanics do and the training required to enter the field!

Key Summary Points

• The aviation industry is crucial for economic growth, international trade and global connectivity, creating a demand for skilled airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics who maintain and repair aircraft components.
• A&P mechanics are responsible for servicing an aircraft's physical components, including the body (airframe) and engine (powerplant), in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards to ensure flight safety.
• To become an A&P mechanic, individuals typically attend an FAA-approved training program, which prepares them for the FAA certification exam — prerequisites include being at least 18 years old, proficient in English and having relevant practical experience or education.
• The training for A&P mechanics covers a wide range of topics, including non-destructive testing, sheet metal and welding, hydraulics and pneumatics, reciprocating and turbine engine operation, among others, aiming to equip students with industry-aligned skills.
• The career outlook for A&P mechanics is positive, with a growing demand across the United States. Graduates of FAA-approved programs can pursue entry-level positions in various sectors, including airlines, commercial airfields and the military, with opportunities for career advancement over time.^1,6

Read: Is Becoming an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic a Good Career Plan?

What Is A&P?

Airframe and powerplant refer to an aircraft’s two main physical components. The term airframe specifies the body of the aircraft, while the term powerplant specifies the engine. Most A&P mechanics service both, in addition to their related components, but others specialize in one of the two.

Airframe and powerplant mechanics perform their duties in compliance with the FAA. Doing so helps them ensure the fleets they attend to remain safe for flying.

What Is an A&P License?

An A&P license, or airframe and powerplant license, is a certification issued by the FAA that authorizes individuals to inspect, maintain and repair aircraft. The FAA is a United States government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation, ensuring safety in air travel and airspace management.

This license is mainly categorized by the two main aviation components, airframe and powerplant. To obtain an A&P license, candidates must have a combination of formal training and hands-on experience, followed by passing written, oral and practical exams. This certification ensures mechanics in this field possess the necessary skills and knowledge to uphold safety regulations and standards in aviation maintenance.

Read: How To Become an A&P Mechanic

What Is an A&P Mechanic?

An A&P mechanic is a certified professional responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing aircraft systems to ensure they operate safely and efficiently. These specialists have extensive training in both airframe structures and engine components, allowing them to diagnose and resolve technical issues related to various types of aircraft.

What do airframe and powerplant mechanics do?

Airframe and powerplant mechanics perform routine maintenance to ensure aircraft take off, fly and land safely. As previously mentioned, most A&P mechanics are generalists, meaning they’re familiar with the entirety of an aircraft, from the nose to the tail.

In addition to performing regular maintenance, A&P mechanics also test, diagnose and repair various components and systems within an aircraft. Common A&P mechanic duties include:

• Inspecting for and diagnosing mechanical and electrical issues.
• Using tools to replace or repair faulty parts.
• Testing completed repairs to ensure proper operation.
• Using non-destructive testing tools to inspect the aircraft’s body and related parts.
• Inspecting and repairing components, including the wings, brakes, electrical, landing and air conditioning systems.
• Maintaining records of maintenance and repair.
• Adhering to maintenance and safety standards.

A&P mechanics often complete their tasks in a hangar, repair station or on an airfield, so it can be an exciting career for anyone who enjoys working with their hands while on their feet.

Read: From Classroom to Cloud Nine: Isaiah Conner’s Story

How To Become an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic

Wondering how to become an A&P mechanic? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most mechanics attend an FAA-approved airframe and powerplant training program before pursuing a career in the industry.

As technology advances, so does the aviation field. Attending an FAA-approved program, like the curriculum provided by Universal Technical Institute (UTI), can give students practice using industry-aligned technology. It can also help prepare them to test for an FAA airframe and powerplant license.⁷⁹ However, there are a few prerequisites to becoming FAA-licensed.

Read: A Recruiter’s Preferred Choice: Why CommuteAir Hires Our Grads

FAA Airframe and Powerplant License

According to the FAA, candidates interested in taking the certification exam must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be able to read, write, speak and understand English.
• Have at least 18 months of practical experience surrounding A&P practices, tools and equipment, or graduate from an FAA-approved aviation technician school.

To pass the licensing test, candidates must be familiar with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations and pass the written, oral and practical portions of the test.

There are three written tests offered:

• General knowledge test
• Airframe test
• Powerplant test    

All candidates must take the general knowledge written test. However, they may choose to take either the airframe test, powerplant test or both.

An airframe license certifies mechanics to work on the aircraft body while a powerplant license certifies them to work on the engine. The BLS reports that employers may prefer candidates with both airframe and powerplant certifications, meaning they can service the entire aircraft.

Read: What Other Schools May Not Teach You About FAA A&P Testing: Instructor David Lindsey Shares Insights

How To Get an Airframe and Powerplant License

As previously mentioned, attending an FAA-approved airframe and powerplant training program can prepare graduates to test for FAA licensing and pursue a career in aviation.

UTI campuses offer training for the industry with an Airframe & Powerplant Technician program ranging from 18-20 months, depending on location.⁷⁹

The curriculum has been developed with the help of industry leaders, so students can rest assured they're receiving industry-aligned instruction and hands-on training relevant to their chosen career path. Students are taught to service several different aircraft through airframe and powerplant courses, which cover topics like:

• Non-destructive testing
• Sheet metal and welding familiarization
• Assembly and rigging
• Airframe fire protection
• Airframe electrical
• Navigation and communication
• Hydraulics and pneumatics
• Reciprocating engine operation
• Propellers
• Powerplant lubrication systems
• Turbine engine designs
• Non-metallic structures
• Paints and finishes

Most of our grads start out working as entry-level technicians or in other entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, they may be able to advance in their career with experience and hard work. Keep reading to learn more about a career as an airframe and powerplant mechanic.

Read: “I’m Building a Career I’m Passionate About” – Jason Martinez’s Story

Airframe and Powerplant Career Outlook

Most graduates of FAA-approved programs are prepared to pursue aviation mechanic careers as entry-level aircraft mechanics. Entry-level mechanics conduct scheduled maintenance, perform inspections per the FAA, diagnose electrical and mechanical issues, and repair and replace various aircraft components. Aircraft mechanics can work for airlines, commercial airfields that specialize in package delivery, or the military.

According to the BLS, there’s a demand for mechanics across the nation. Total aviation technician employment in the United States is expected to exceed 148,000 by 2033.⁷¹

Airframe and Powerplant FAQs

1. Is being an airframe and powerplant mechanic worth it?

A&P mechanics possess valuable skills that are in demand across the nation. It can be an exciting career for creative problem-solvers who enjoy overcoming exciting challenges, are detail-oriented and are mechanically inclined.

2. Can you service aircraft without an airframe and powerplant license?

Yes, but only under the supervision of a certified A&P mechanic. Once the work is complete, the supervisor will have to approve it.

3. How can one obtain an airframe and powerplant (A&P) license?

To obtain an A&P license, candidates must have the necessary combination of formal training and practical experience, which can include attending an FAA-approved aviation technician school. After this, they must successfully pass the written, oral and practical exams as required by the FAA, demonstrating their knowledge and skills in both airframe and powerplant systems.

4. What kind of tasks can a mechanic with an A&P license legally perform on an aircraft?

An A&P mechanic can legally conduct inspections, maintenance and repairs on both the airframe and powerplant components of an aircraft. This includes working on the structure of the aircraft as well as the engines and associated systems, ensuring that all work meets FAA safety standards.

5. What are the job prospects like for someone with an airframe and powerplant license?

The job prospects for individuals with an A&P license are promising, with a growing demand for mechanics in various sectors of aviation. According to the BLS, total aviation technician employment is projected to increase, making it a potentially lucrative career choice for those with the appropriate credentials and skills.⁶

Read: The Three Most Important Parts of A&P Training at UTI, According to Abraham Garcia

Train To Become an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic

The airframe and powerplant program offered at UTI is designed to prepare graduates to apply and test for FAA certification and pursue entry-level aviation roles.^79,128 Throughout their training, students gain hands-on practice facilitated by instructors who have experience in the field.

In less than two years, they can gain the entry-level skills that many employers are seeking in a candidate, including knowledge of current technology and FAA standards.

Ready to get started? Request more information online or call us at 1-800-834-7308, and we’ll connect you to an Admissions Representative!

Campuses That Offer A&P Mechanic Training

The Airframe & Powerplant Technician program is offered at our Avondale, AZ; Long Beach, CA; Miramar, FL; Canton, MI; and Houston, TX, campus locations.