AMA Airframe Sample Questions – Study Flashcards

89 question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts from the AMA Airframe sample-test notes.

What fabric material is largely unaffected by moisture, mildew, chemicals, and acids?

Glass fabric

In the alloy designation 2024-T3, what does “T3” represent?

The temper designation of the aluminum alloy

Why are type A rivets sometimes avoided in aircraft structures?

They have comparatively low strength characteristics

A black, smoky residue streaming from rivets indicates what type of corrosion?

Fretting corrosion between the rivets and the skin

In the alloy 2017-T36, which part shows the temper designation?

T36

Why are clad aluminum alloys used for aircraft skin?

A pure-aluminum surface layer bonded to the core resists corrosion

Which members of a semi-monocoque fuselage resist bending tension and compression?

Longerons and stringers

During a composite tap test, which sound suggests delamination?

A dull thud

In composite work, what does “pot life” describe?

The length of time a catalyzed resin remains workable

What major advantage do Hi-Lok fasteners provide?

They cannot be over-torqued (the collar shears at correct preload)

Why are honeycomb-core sandwich panels used on aircraft?

They save weight without compromising strength

On a semimonocoque fuselage, which longitudinal members reinforce the skin?

Longerons and stringers

What is the result of repairing advanced composites with standard fiberglass techniques?

An unairworthy repair

In gas welding, what mainly controls the heat applied to the work?

The size of the torch tip opening

Acceptable butt-weld penetration should equal what percent of base-metal thickness?

100 percent

Which statement about magnesium welding is correct?

Magnesium can be welded with the same joint types used for aluminum

What is the purpose of the free-wheeling (overrunning) unit in a helicopter?

Disengages the engine from the main rotor if engine rpm drops below rotor rpm

The tail rotor enables the pilot to control what two factors?

Torque and directional (yaw) control

What is the primary aerodynamic purpose of wing slats?

To reduce stalling speed by maintaining lift at high angles of attack

Sliding a cloth along a control cable mainly checks for what defect?

Broken strands

If rigging must be done outdoors, how should the aircraft face?

Nose into the wind

Castle-nut cotter-pin alignment begins at what torque value?

Minimum recommended torque plus friction-drag torque

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) notify owners of what?

Unsafe conditions and the limits/conditions for continued operation

The lengthwise stripe on MIL-H-8788 hose helps ensure what during installation?

The hose is not twisted

What maintenance action is required when a fusible-plug core shows deformation?

Replace the affected fusible plug(s)

A continuous gear horn usually sounds when which condition exists?

Throttle retarded and landing gear not down and locked

Excessive wear in the center of a tire tread signals what problem?

Over-inflation

Cycling an empty shock strut during servicing ensures what?

Proper packing-ring seating and removal of air bubbles

How is all air purged verified in a master-cylinder brake system?

Brake pedal feels firm, not spongy

After landing-gear maintenance, what operational check is required?

Retract/extend test with aircraft on jacks

Why deflate high-pressure tires before removing wheels?

For safety in case of wheel or tie-bolt failure

Pneumatic systems commonly use which valve to let two sources feed one unit?

Shuttle valve

Which hydraulic component allows flow one way and blocks the other?

Check valve

What seal is most widely used for bidirectional hydraulic sealing?

O-ring

How should threads be protected when installing seals over them?

Cover the threads with a suitable sleeve or tool

Which picture in Figure 11 (FAA-CT-8080-4G) shows an AN flared-tube fitting?

Picture 1

Phosphate-ester hydraulic fluid is most susceptible to contamination by what?

Moisture (water)

Where do you look to identify the correct hydraulic fluid for an aircraft?

The aircraft manufacturer’s maintenance/service manual

The internal resistance of a fluid to flow is called what?

Viscosity

When servicing hydraulic fluid, what basic rule prevents damage?

Use only the fluid type specified by the manufacturer or reservoir placard

Cabin pressure is maintained chiefly by controlling what?

The rate of air flowing out through the outflow valve

Which oxygen system delivers oxygen only during inhalation?

Demand-flow system

Low oxygen-bottle pressure can allow what harmful condition?

Moisture accumulation inside the bottle

Why is cabin pressurization necessary?

To enable humans to fly safely at high altitudes

What is the main contaminant in gaseous-oxygen systems?

Moisture

Which component sets the cabin pressure level?

Outflow valve

In a vapor-cycle A/C system, a steady stream of bubbles in the sight glass means what?

The system is undercharged

Who is responsible for proper marking of an instrument installed in an aircraft?

The mechanic installing the instrument

A mechanic with an airframe rating may perform which instrument work?

Inspections and functional checks

A hydraulic pressure gauge normally uses what sensing element?

Bourdon tube

A sea-level pressure of 14.7 psi equals what barometric reading?

29.92 inches of mercury

Which compass error can a mechanic correct by adjustment?

Deviation

A DME antenna should be mounted where it will not be blocked by what?

The wing during a bank

When installed, a DME antenna should align with what aircraft axis?

The longitudinal centerline

Aircraft antennas must be electrically bonded to what?

The airframe

What is the primary purpose of an autopilot?

To relieve the pilot of manual control during extended flight

Preferred location for an ELT in small aircraft?

As far aft as practical but forward of the empennage

What is the main purpose of a fuel-tank sump?

Collect contaminants and water for draining

What reference is most useful for finding an internal fuel leak?

The aircraft maintenance manual’s diagrams and descriptions

Where should aircraft defueling be performed when possible?

Outside the hangar

Integral fuel tanks in transport aircraft have what characteristic?

They are part of and supported by the aircraft structure

Why are daily sump drains still required with clean fuel trucks/farms?

To ensure ongoing fuel cleanliness along with filter maintenance

Cockpit fuel-temperature indicators on turbines mainly monitor what?

Fuel temperature during high-altitude flight to prevent ice crystal formation

Fuel filler caps must be marked with what information?

“AVGAS” and the minimum fuel grade

In an electric fuel-quantity system, what varies resistance with fuel level?

A float-operated variable resistor

Why is the main fuel strainer at the system’s lowest point?

To trap any water in the fuel

What is the primary purpose of a crossfeed system?

Allow any tank to supply fuel to any engine

How should coaxial cable be routed in aircraft?

As directly as practical, avoiding sharp bends

What main advantage do circuit breakers have over fuses?

They are resettable and reusable

What should protect wires passing through structure?

A suitable grommet

Which items are aircraft circuit-protective devices?

Circuit breakers, fuses, and current limiters

Where is a generator’s rating/performance data found?

On its data plate

Aircraft circuits are protected from overheating by what?

Fuses (or circuit breakers)

Junction boxes in fire zones are usually made of what material?

Stainless steel

Proper installation of pre-insulated terminal lugs requires what method?

Crimping with an approved crimping tool

Aircraft electrical connectors should meet which specification series?

Military Specifications (MS)

If several splices are needed in one wire bundle, how are they arranged?

Staggered along the bundle

Typical landing-gear indication lights show what?

Red for unsafe, green for gear down, no light for gear up

A landing-gear warning horn usually sounds when which condition exists?

Throttle retarded and gear not locked down

An anti-skid brake system is fundamentally what kind of system?

Electro-hydraulic

Anti-skid systems are normally armed by what event?

Wheel rotation above a set speed

What does an anti-skid system do when a skid is sensed?

Releases then reapplies brake pressure at a lower value

Which device helps prevent carburetor icing?

Alcohol-injection nozzle

What maintains normal temperature in electrically heated windshields?

Thermistors

Before bonding a pneumatic de-icer boot, what prep is required?

Clean with MEK and apply adhesive to both surfaces

Maintenance on fire-detection systems generally involves what for damaged sensors?

Replacement of damaged sensing elements

How is a contaminated portable CO detector restored to service?

Install a new indicating element

Smoke detectors that measure light transmissibility are what type?

Photoelectric devices

An overstressed wooden member is most subject to what failure mode?

Compression failure