Mechanic Airman Certification Standards

WHAT IS THE ACS?

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The FAA Mechanic Airman Certification Standard (ACS) will replace legacy practical test standards (PTS) and clearly define minimum knowledge and skill requirements for A&P mechanics. The ACS provides the framework for the written, oral and practical mechanic tests; and subsequently, a guide for revising handbooks, oral questions, practical projects and the knowledge test bank. With publication of the new part 147 on May 24, 2022, it will also act as the standard for A&P curriculum, ensuring that testing and training are always correlated.

Starting Sept. 21, 2022 (the effective date of the new part 147), all certificated A&P programs will be required to align their curriculums with the mechanic ACS (see The New Part 147 page for a gap analysis tool to help with that exercise).  The PTS (FAA-S-8081-26B) will continue to be the testing standard through July 31, 2023, thereafter the ACS will also govern the FAA mechanic test. 
 
To recap, both the ACS and the PTS will be in effect between Sept. 21, 2022 and July 31, 2023 for different purposes (PTS for testing, ACS for curriculum). After July 31, 2023, the PTS will phase out and the FAA will officially adopt the ACS as both the testing and the curriculum standard. This “transition plan” is further explained on pages 35-36 of the part 147 interim final rule.

A link to the final, published ACS available on the FAA website is linked below.

FAA Mechanic ACS

FAA MECHANIC ACS IN EXCEL FORMAT

PREVIOUS DRAFT AND RECORD OF REVISIONS

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Since the FAA-industry working group started developing the new ACS in 2016, ATEC has published draft iterations on this webpage for member feedback and comment. A history of draft versions and the history of revisions made 

The March 2022 publication (dated Nov. 1, 2021 and linked above) incorporates the following changes to the previous Apr 20, 2021 draft version:

• Remove Introduction, Appendix 1: Knowledge Test Description, Requirements, and Registration, Appendix 2: Knowledge Test Procedures, Appendix 3: Airman Knowledge Test Report, Appendix 4: The Oral and Practical Test - Eligibility and Prerequisites, Appendix 7: References, and Appendix 8: Abbreviations and Acronyms. Retained Appendix 5: Practical Test Roles, Responsibilities, and Outcomes and Appendix 6: Safety, but renamed them Appendix 1 and 2, respectively. All removed information will be relocated and published separately on the FAA website as an "ACS Companion."
• Airframe, subject name change: from Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems to Communications and Navigation Systems
• Powerplant, subject name change: from Lubrication Systems to Engine Lubrication Systems
• Remove "(e.g., fogging)" from AM.I.G.K10 (previously read "Use of high-pressure application equipment (e.g., fogging)."
• Correct AM.I.H.R1 description to “Precedence of operations when solving an algebraic equation.” (Was previously "Precedence of operators when solving an algebraic equation."
• Revise AM.I.I.K10 to read "Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) for an AD" (previously read "Alternative methods of ADs compliance.")
• Relocated description "Transponder/encoder system" from AM.II.H.K21 (subject Aircraft Instrument Systems) to AM.II.I.K21 (subject Communication and Navigation Systems). Renumbered items AM.II.H.K21-AM.II.H.K24 (AM.II.H.K25 no longer exists).
• Change AM.II.K.K7 from "Aircraft wiring sizes, types, selection, and installation" to "Aircraft wiring sizes, types, selection, installation and circuit protection devises."
• Change AM.II.K.K11 from "Aircraft bonding and protection" to "Instrument or instrument panel removal and installation."
• Change AM.III.D.K6 from "Torque meters" to "Torquemeters."

​​The April 20, 2021 revision incorporates the following changes to the previous Jan. 15, 2021:

• AM.II.H.K18: Change description to: “Head-Up Displays (HUDs).”
• AM.I.E.K8, AM.I.E.R4: Revise spelling: from “Torqueing”, to “Torquing”
• AM.III.D.K8: Change description to: “Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS).”
• AM.III.D.K10: Change description to: “Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM).”
• AM.II.I.K18: Change description to: “Stability Augmentation System (SAS) (Rotorcraft).” (Was: “Stability augmentation.”)
• AM.II.C.K8: Change description to: “Bellcranks.”(Was: “Bell cranks.”)
• AM.III.D.K5: Change description to: “Annunciator indicating systems (e.g., warning, caution, and advisory lights.” (Was: “Position indicating.”)
• AM.III.D.K12: Delete code (Was: “Annunciator indicating systems (e.g., warning, caution, and advisory lights.”)
• Add REFERENCE to Section II, Airframe / Subject H, Aircraft Instrument Systems: AC 25-11 Electronic Flight Displays
• ​Remove from Appendix 7: AC 43-204 Visual Inspection for Aircraft
• Add REFERENCE to: Section II, Airframe / Subject H, Aircraft Instrument Systems; and Appendix 7: AC 43-215 Standardized Procedures for Performing Aircraft Magnetic Compass Calibration​

The Jan. 15, 2021 revision incorporates the following changes to the previous Dec. 2, 2020 iteration:

• ​AM.I.A.K22: Change description to: “Digital logic, including RAM, ROM, NVRAM, logic gates, inverter, rectifier, and flip flop.”
• AM.I.F.R1-AM.I.F.S12: Reordered Risk Management and Skills Elements in Section F., Ground Operations and Servicing to reflect a more “logical” sequence.
• AM.II.L.S7: Change description to: “Locate and explain the procedures for inspecting an electrically-operated windshield wiper system.”
• AM.II.L.S8: Change description to: “Locate and explain the procedures for replacing blades on a windshield wiper system.”
• AM.II.L.S9: Change description to: “Locate and explain the procedures for inspecting a pneumatic rain removal system.”
• AM.III.J.K1: Change description to: “Reciprocating engine induction and cooling system theory, components, and operation.”
• AM.III.J.S10: Delete description (previously “Locate a reciprocating engine induction leak.”), as duplicative of AM.III.J.S9
• AM.III.J.S20: Delete code and relocate description to AM.III.J.S10
• AM.III.M.S5: Change description to: “Perform a minor repair to a metal propeller blade.”
• AM.III.M.S10: Change description to: “Perform a 100-hour inspection of a propeller and determine airworthiness.”

ADVOCACY TIMELINE

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ATEC has taken a leadership role in development of the ACS since the FAA ACS working group was established in 2016. 

• March 2022: FAA publishes Mechanic Airman Certification Standards
• Feb. 25, 2021: ATEC sends FAA letter addressing interim final part 147's reference to mechanic ACS
• Feb. 23, 2021: ACS working groups industry members send letter to FAA encouraging swift publication of delayed ACS
• July 18, 2018: ATEC releases draft AMT ACS with public comments incorporated.
• April 17, 2018: FAA releases draft AMT ACS for public comment, due May 31.
• Sept. 27, 2017: ACS highlighted in the FAA's DME Tips, Vol. 1, Issue 6
• Sept. 6, 2017: FAA Presentation at ATEC Fly-In, Development and Integration of Airman Certification Standards
• June 28, 2017: ACS working group makes formal recommendation to ensure the new part 147 takes into account the ACS, and ensures that training and testing are correlated.
• Jan. 20, 2017, FAA, Industry Modernizing Airframe And Powerplant Test Standards, Aviation Week article
• Jan. 9, 2017: ATEC webinar on the ACS, its purpose, implementation plan, and how it will influence the new part 147.

RESOURCES

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• FAA Airman Testing webpage
• FAA ACS Frequently Asked Questions