Aviation Maintenance Technician Oral and Practical Exam Guide

The oral and practical exams are the last steps for certification of an Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT). The AMT Oral & Practical Exam Guide by industry expert Dale Crane (edited by Raymond E. Thompson) will prepare the reader for the General, Airframe, and Powerplant exams. This book includes information on the certification process, typical projects and required skill levels, and practical knowledge requirements in a question-and-answer format, with references defined for further study.

When taking an FAA Knowledge Exam, you merely verify your knowledge of facts?you interface with a computer and there is no personal involvement. The AMT oral and practical tests are different: you work one-on-one with an experienced mechanic evaluator who is able to not only judge your mechanical skills, but observe how you think and see the way you solve problems. The examiner determines whether or not you possess the knowledge and skill level needed as an entry-level technician, as defined by the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS). The AMT Oral & Practical Exam Guide will help you prepare for this significant step towards your new career as an AMT.

Dale Crane (1923 - 2010) was involved in aviation for more than 50 years. His credentials included Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, Designated Mechanic Examiner, Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor (airplanes), and Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor. He received the FAA's Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award for 50 years of service in and contributions to the aviation maintenance industry, and the recognition of his peers for his excellence in aircraft maintenance as a leader, educator, and aviation safety advocate.

Dale was active as a writer of aviation technical materials and a consultant in developing aviation training programs. He participated with the FAA in the "Aviation Mechanic Occupation Study" in the 1970s, which was key to the major revision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 147, and the Aviation Mechanic Textbook Study. ATEC presented to Dale Crane their special recognition award for "his contribution to the development of aviation technicians as a prolific author of specialized maintenance publications."

Raymond E. Thompson has been affiliated with aviation and aerospace education since 1981, specifically aircraft technical education, advanced composite material, and airline maintenance management. Dr. Thompson has served as associate dean of the College of Aviation at Western Michigan University, program manager of Aerospace at Khalifa University of Science, Technology, and Research in the U.A.E., founding dean of the College of Aero & Astro Sciences at Dubai Aerospace Enterprise University, and associate department head of the Aviation Technology program at Purdue University. Dr. Thompson founded the AOT Advanced Composite Laboratory, where he oversaw the most comprehensive applied aviation composite program in the United States. Dr. Thompson's research areas include aviation maintenance faculty development, using technology and multimedia in the classroom, applied advanced composite technology, and airline maintenance management.