• 133 questions

FAA Powerplant Practice Written Test

Unofficial questions for the Aviation Mechanic Powerplant (AMP) test, each with the FAA handbook page behind its answer.

How many crankshaft revolutions does a two-stroke cycle engine need to complete its operating cycle?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 100 questions, 120 minutes, 70 right to pass (70%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Bank checked October 12, 2026.

Spotted a mistake? Report a wrong answer. Every question has this link under its explanation.

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All 133 questions

A. Reciprocating engines 13

  • A dehydrator plug in a stored engine's spark plug hole is bright blue. What does that show? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 8-19
  • An engine delivers 1,000 brake horsepower to a propeller that is 85 percent efficient. What is the thrust horsepower? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-33
  • How does the handbook say to clear a hydraulic lock in a lower cylinder of a radial engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-25
  • How many crankshaft revolutions does a two-stroke cycle engine need to complete its operating cycle? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-27
  • In a ground power check at a set rpm, the manifold pressure is higher than normal. What does that usually indicate? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-28
  • In the PLANK formula for indicated horsepower, what is N? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-30
  • On one magneto the rpm falls slowly, not at once. What usually causes a slow rpm drop? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-27
  • On the compression stroke, when does the Powerplant handbook say the charge is fired? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-27
Show all 133 questions (125 more)

A. Reciprocating engines, continued

  • What does the handbook call storage of an aircraft engine that is not flown for 30 to 90 days? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 8-18
  • What ignites the fuel in a diesel cycle aircraft engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-27
  • What is brake mean effective pressure (BMEP)? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-33
  • Which fuel does the handbook say water and air cooled diesel cycle aircraft engines can run on? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-27
  • With the throttle closed, the mixture control is moved toward idle cutoff and the rpm drops at once with no rise. What does this show? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-28

B. Turbine engines 10

  • About what compression ratio does each stage of an axial-flow compressor produce? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-40
  • After long running at high power, why is a turbine engine run at idle for about 5 minutes before shutdown? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-58
  • Compressor blade tips are thinned by cutouts called blade profiles. What are the profiles for? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-41
  • How does a labyrinth oil seal differ from a helical (thread) seal in a turbine engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-53
  • How does relative humidity affect turbine engine thrust, fuel flow and rpm? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-58
  • On a turbine engine main shaft, which load does a straight roller bearing carry? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-52
  • What can foreign deposits on compressor blades cause in a turbine engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-45
  • What do the stator blades do at each stage of an axial-flow compressor? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-40
  • What first shows that a turbine engine start has succeeded? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-57
  • What is the net effect of an increase in altitude on the thrust of a gas turbine engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 1-59

C. Engine inspection 10

  • According to the handbook, when is compliance with a manufacturer's service bulletin required? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-2
  • During a differential compression test, air is heard escaping at the air intake. Where is the leak? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-40
  • How does the handbook describe an engine sudden stoppage? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 8-1
  • Into which three categories is the inspection of engine parts during overhaul divided? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-2
  • Particles are found on an engine oil screen. How does the handbook say to tell whether they are ferrous metal? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 8-2
  • Rounded indentations on a bearing race, usually from high static loads, are an example of which defect? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-3
  • To what regulated pressure is the tester set for a differential compression test in the handbook's procedure? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-40
  • Toward what point are the mounting pads of dynafocal engine mounts angled? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 8-17
  • Which inspection method is used mainly to measure thickness when the back side of the material cannot be reached? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-7
  • Why should engine parts not be cleaned before the preliminary visual inspection at overhaul? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-3

D. Engine instrument systems 10

  • A cylinder head temperature thermocouple lead is too long for the installation. What should be done? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-37
  • An oil pressure gauge pointer oscillates excessively. What does the handbook say this indicates? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-22
  • Between which two points does an engine pressure ratio (EPR) system take its total pressure readings? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-54
  • In most torquemeter systems, what signal shows the torque at the propeller shaft? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-24
  • On an engine instrument, what does a red arc generally mark? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-21
  • What does the flight deck EGT indicator of a turbine engine show? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-55
  • What does the preferred manifold pressure gauge of a reciprocating engine read? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-23
  • What does the white radial mark on an instrument cover glass show? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-21
  • Which engine parameters does EICAS show full time on its top, primary monitor? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-16
  • Why are turbine engine tachometers usually calibrated in percent rpm? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-55

E. Engine fire protection systems 10

  • A continuous-loop sensing element has a dent that is within the manufacturer's limits. What should be done with the dent? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-10
  • A red disc is missing from a discharge indicator on the fuselage. What has happened? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-9
  • From what is the service life of a fire extinguisher discharge cartridge calculated? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-12
  • How are the thermal switches of a thermal switch fire detection system connected? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-2
  • How can an internal tailpipe fire during a turbine engine shutdown or false start be blown out? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-8
  • How many extinguishing agent discharges must the engine fire extinguishing system of a transport category aircraft provide? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-7
  • How quickly does a high rate of discharge (HRD) system deliver its extinguishing agent? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-7
  • In a Kidde continuous-loop fire detector, what happens to the core's electrical resistance to ground as it heats? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-4
  • What happens when the sensing tube of a pneumatic thermal fire detector leaks and loses pressure? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-3
  • Which condition does a thermocouple fire warning system give no warning of? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 9-2

F. Engine electrical systems 12

  • How is the output voltage of a shunt wound generator controlled? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-12
  • How is the power output of a DC generator given? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-13
  • How much slack should a wire bundle normally have between supports? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-54
  • On which kind of machine is the starter generator unit of a turbine engine based? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 5-10
  • What happens if a DC generator is installed that turns in the wrong direction? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-13
  • What is a trip-free circuit breaker? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-71
  • What is the highest resistance allowed for each connection of a bonding jumper? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-65
  • What is the most the voltage should drop in the main power cables from the generator or battery to the bus? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-50
  • What is the smallest bend radius for a wire bundle away from a terminal strip? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-55
  • Why is a series wound DC generator never used as an airplane generator? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-12
  • Why must a switch be derated when it controls incandescent lamps? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-71
  • Without placards or monitoring devices, to about what share of rated generator output may the total continuous electrical load be held? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-70

G. Engine lubrication systems 10

  • After changing an engine from straight mineral oil to ashless dispersant oil, how long may it run before the first oil change? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-17
  • In the handbook's oil system troubleshooting chart, which fault is listed under oil foaming? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-19
  • On an engine with an oil-controlled propeller, why may the main oil tank outlet be a standpipe? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-6
  • What does a high viscosity index say about an engine oil? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-2
  • What does a W in front of the grade or weight number of an aviation oil indicate? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-2
  • What does the oil filter bypass valve do? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-7
  • Where are magnetic chip detectors generally placed in a turbine engine oil system? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-28
  • Which advantage over petroleum oil does the handbook give for synthetic turbine oil? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-18
  • Which of these does the troubleshooting chart give as a cause of excessive oil consumption? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-19
  • Why do scavenger pumps have a greater capacity than the oil pressure pump? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-13

H. Ignition and starting systems 10

  • At what speed does the magneto distributor turn on a four-stroke cycle engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-6
  • For what is the ignition system of a turbine engine required? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-44
  • In a booster coil, what would happen at the contact points without the condenser? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-19
  • In the magneto safety check, the engine speed does not change when the switch goes from both to a single magneto. What does this indicate? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 10-26
  • What do the numbers on a magneto distributor block represent? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-6
  • What does the sprag clutch of an air turbine starter do when the engine drive turns faster than the starter rotor? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 5-12
  • What is added to leaded aviation fuel as a scavenging agent to limit lead deposits? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-34
  • What is the reach of a spark plug? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-25
  • What makes a spark plug a hot plug? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-25
  • Why is the electrode gap of a turbine igniter plug much larger than that of a spark plug? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 4-45

I. Engine fuel and fuel metering systems 10

  • Fuel leaks from a float carburetor's discharge nozzle with the engine stopped. What is the most likely cause? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-10
  • How does a fuel counter (totalizer) show fuel that has been jettisoned? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-46
  • On a hydromechanical/electronic fuel control, what happens if the electronic fuel control unit fails? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-34
  • Under which condition should a turbine engine never be trimmed? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-41
  • What does a duplex fuel nozzle need that a simplex nozzle does not? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-44
  • What does a turbine engine fuel heater use as its source of heat? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-42
  • Which fuel discharge nozzles must a fuel-injected engine use once it is modified with turbosuperchargers? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-24
  • Which of these is one of the three functions of a carburetor venturi? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-10
  • Which type is the main stage of a turbine engine's engine-driven fuel pump generally? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-41
  • With no mixture control, what happens to a float carburetor's fuel mixture as altitude increases? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 2-12

J. Reciprocating engine induction and cooling 10

  • How do augmentors add cooling airflow over a reciprocating engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-33
  • How should cowl flaps be set during ground operations? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-33
  • In a liquid-cooled aircraft engine, how is the excess heat carried by the coolant given up? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-32
  • What are blast tubes in the cylinder baffles for? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-32
  • What do almost all turbocharger systems use as the control fluid for the waste gate actuator? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-9
  • What does a spring-loaded induction filter door do when the filter is excessively restricted? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-4
  • What is a normalizing turbocharger system designed to do? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-9
  • What is the purpose of a distribution impeller on a radial engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-6
  • Why does applying carburetor heat cause a noticeable loss of power? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-3
  • Why should carburetor heat not be used while starting an engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-4

K. Turbine engine air systems 9

  • A turbine engine inlet duct is shaped as a divergent diffuser. What does it do to the air passing through it? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-17
  • From where is internal cooling air for the bearings and other parts of a turbine engine taken? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-38
  • How is the air-inlet duct of a turbine engine normally classed? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-16
  • How is the inlet lip of a turbofan engine anti-iced, according to the handbook? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-20
  • In the handbook's typical engine insulation blanket, which material is the radiation shield? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-40
  • What cools the combustion-chamber liners of a turbine engine? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 6-38
  • What is ram recovery in a turbine engine inlet? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-17
  • Where is a bellmouth compressor inlet usually installed? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-19
  • Which drawback of compressor inlet screens does the handbook name? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-18

L. Engine exhaust and reverser systems 9

  • Coke deposits make a turbocharger waste gate valve stick in the closed position. What results? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-24
  • How do corrugated-perimeter and multi-tube noise suppressors reduce the jet noise heard on the ground? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-30
  • In an aerodynamic-blockage thrust reverser, which airflow is used to slow the aircraft? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-27
  • What does black soot around an exhaust gasket show? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-22
  • What is a choked exhaust nozzle? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-26
  • What must be done to a thrust reverser system while people work in its area? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-27
  • Which practice does the handbook require when an exhaust system is reassembled? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-24
  • Which reciprocating engine exhaust system is used on all turbosupercharged engines? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-21
  • Why can a helicopter turboshaft engine have an exhaust nozzle that forms a divergent duct? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 3-25

M. Propellers 10

  • Apart from short tests, why is an electric propeller deicing system used only while the propellers are rotating? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-19
  • Engine rpm rises above the value the propeller governor is set for. What does the governor make the blades do? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-7
  • How does a controllable-pitch propeller differ from a constant-speed propeller? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-7
  • In a propeller fluid anti-icing system, what is the slinger ring? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-17
  • On the turboprop propeller system the handbook describes, what is the primary blade angle? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-32
  • What does a propeller synchrophasing system maintain? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-19
  • When can the blade angle of a ground-adjustable propeller be changed? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-6
  • When does a propeller have static imbalance? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-24
  • When is a propeller autofeather system normally used? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-20
  • Which is the preferred medium for charging a propeller air dome? Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B, page 7-27

How this list was compiled: Written from the FAA's Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Powerplant, FAA-H-8083-32B (a US government work), read as the PDF at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/amt_powerplant_handbook.pdf on 2026-10-12. The topics are the 13 Powerplant subjects of the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021), read at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/Aviation_Mechanic_Certification_Standards.pdf, and their shares follow the written test blueprint in the companion guide, FAA-G-ACS-1 with change 2, read at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/amt_acs_companion_guide.pdf. The test's question count, time and passing score are from the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (revised April 24, 2023), read at https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/testing_matrix.pdf. All four were read on 2026-10-12. Every question names the handbook page its answer comes from and links to it. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the handbook, which is a US government work. Nothing is copied from an FAA knowledge test, an FAA sample question or any prep company's bank.

How it works

This unofficial FAA powerplant practice written test covers the Aviation Mechanic Powerplant (AMP) knowledge test: 133 questions across the 13 subject areas of the FAA's mechanic standards. The FAA does not publish its bank, so none are its questions.

Read the full guide

Powerplant written test practice in the FAA's 13 subject areas

The topics are the Powerplant subjects of the FAA's Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-1: reciprocating engines, turbine engines, engine inspection, instruments, fire protection, electrical systems, lubrication, ignition and starting, fuel metering, induction and cooling, turbine air systems, exhaust and reversers, and propellers.

What this powerplant practice test leaves out

Questions that need a figure from the FAA testing supplement are not here yet. This is the aircraft mechanic test, not a power plant operator exam.

  • The FAA's blueprint gives reciprocating engines and engine electrical systems up to 15 percent each; the other eleven areas top out at 10.

Questions and answers

Are these the real FAA powerplant written test questions?

No. The FAA does not publish its knowledge test question bank. Every question here was written for this site from the FAA's Powerplant handbook, FAA-H-8083-32B; none comes from an FAA sample test or a prep company's bank.

How many questions are on the FAA powerplant written test?

100. The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix lists test code AMP, Aviation Maintenance Technician Powerplant, at 100 questions, 2.0 hours and a passing score of 70. This page was checked against the matrix on October 12, 2026.

Is there a powerplant study guide from the FAA?

The FAA's own study material is the Powerplant handbook, FAA-H-8083-32B, and the mechanic certification standards, which list every knowledge element. These powerplant questions work as a study guide to both: each answer names the handbook page to read.

Is there an FAA study guide for powerplant instrument questions?

Engine instrument systems are one of the 13 subject areas. The handbook covers them mostly in chapter 10: range markings, tachometers, torquemeters, engine pressure ratio and exhaust gas temperature. Ten questions here are on them.

Which editions of the sources were used?

The Powerplant handbook FAA-H-8083-32B; the certification standards FAA-S-ACS-1, dated November 1, 2021; the companion guide FAA-G-ACS-1 with change 2; and the testing matrix revised April 24, 2023. All were read on faa.gov on October 12, 2026.

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