Frequently asked questions

No. Military experience can count, but you still have to show documented, verifiable experience that an FAA inspector accepts. Some specialties qualify for a JSAMTCC Certificate of Eligibility, which can make that review simpler, but the FAA still decides.

No. Under 14 CFR 65.71 you must be at least 18, be able to read, write, speak, and understand English, and pass all required tests within 24 months, plus meet the experience or school requirement.

No. The rule is at least 18 months of practical experience for one rating (Airframe or Powerplant), or 30 months of concurrent experience covering both. Graduating from a Part 147 school replaces the experience requirement.

Not necessarily. The Mapper is for orientation only. It uses our own simplified assumptions (like converting hours to months) that are not FAA policy. Only an FAA inspector reviewing your documentation can authorize you to test.

Not always. Inspectors look for hands-on experience appropriate to the rating you're seeking, across a range of systems. Narrow specialist experience may need to be supplemented.

Commonly: your DD-214, Joint Services Transcript (JST), training and qualification records, and signed letters from supervisors describing your duties, the aircraft you worked on, and the dates. Your local FSDO can tell you what it expects.

It's the application an FAA inspector signs to authorize you to take the mechanic tests based on your experience. You bring your documentation to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for review.

The Joint Services Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council issues certificates of eligibility for certain military specialties. Ask your education office whether yours qualifies.

Often, yes. Many members gather records and take tests before separating. DoD SkillBridge may also let eligible members train with an industry employer during their last months of service.

Possibly. Service COOL programs may fund credentials tied to your specialty, the GI Bill can reimburse licensing and certification test fees, and some JSAMTCC participants may be able to take the knowledge tests at no cost. Check eligibility before you pay.

Knowledge (written) tests for General, Airframe, and/or Powerplant, taken at an FAA-approved testing center, plus an oral and practical test given by a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME).

Yes. Under 14 CFR 65.71 you must pass all of the required tests within a 24-month period.

The FAA's designee locator lists Designated Mechanic Examiners. Wait times and fees vary, so contact a few early.

As a rough guide: each knowledge test is roughly $175 at the time of writing (General, Airframe, and Powerplant are separate tests). Examiner fees for the oral and practical are set by each examiner, not the FAA, and often run around $1,000–$2,500 for both ratings, sometimes more depending on region. Prices change, so check current prices before you book.

No. Aircraft Mechanic Paths is an independent project of YellowArc LLC. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.

Yes. Everything you enter in the Mapper stays in your browser. It is never sent to us. You can clear it at any time.

Not yet. Current listings are samples to show how the jobs page works. They're labeled "Sample" and will be replaced with employer-confirmed listings.