Airframe Mechanic Certification Airframe Inspection Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a Conformity Inspection during aircraft maintenance?
- To verify the aircraft meets its original type certificate data sheet (Correct answer)
- To confirm the aircraft passed its last annual inspection
- To certify the aircraft for international flight
- To establish a new weight and balance datum
Correct answer: To verify the aircraft meets its original type certificate data sheet
A Conformity Inspection verifies that a product or part conforms to its approved design (type certificate data sheet or STC).
Question 2: Which of the following correctly describes a progressive inspection program?
- An inspection where the entire aircraft is inspected at one time annually
- An inspection that divides the aircraft into sections inspected on a rotating schedule (Correct answer)
- An inspection conducted only after an incident or hard landing
- An inspection that replaces the 100-hour requirement for commercial operators
Correct answer: An inspection that divides the aircraft into sections inspected on a rotating schedule
A progressive inspection divides the aircraft into work units performed at intervals so the entire aircraft is inspected over a defined cycle.
Question 3: When using dye penetrant inspection on an aluminum wing spar, which step must be performed before applying the penetrant?
- Apply developer first to draw out existing contamination
- Clean and degrease the surface thoroughly (Correct answer)
- Heat the part to 200°F to open any cracks
- Apply a zinc chromate primer as a base coat
Correct answer: Clean and degrease the surface thoroughly
The surface must be cleaned and degreased before penetrant application to allow the penetrant to enter any surface discontinuities.
Question 4: A Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) issued by the FAA is considered:
- Mandatory compliance required within 30 days
- Mandatory only for commercial operators
- Advisory in nature and compliance is recommended but not required (Correct answer)
- Equivalent to an Airworthiness Directive
Correct answer: Advisory in nature and compliance is recommended but not required
SAIBs are advisory; they alert owners and operators to safety concerns but do not mandate corrective action like an AD does.
Question 5: During an inspection of composite airframe panels, you notice a dull sound when tapping an area that normally sounds solid. This finding indicates:
- Correct fiber orientation
- Possible delamination or disbond (Correct answer)
- Proper resin saturation
- Normal acoustic variation in composite panels
Correct answer: Possible delamination or disbond
A dull or hollow tap response in a composite panel typically indicates delamination or disbonding between layers.
Question 6: What information is required on an FAA Form 337 for a major repair to an airframe?
- Only the mechanic's name and the date
- Description of the work, the data used, and the certificated signature approving return to service (Correct answer)
- Aircraft serial number and owner name only
- The repair station certificate number only
Correct answer: Description of the work, the data used, and the certificated signature approving return to service
FAA Form 337 must describe the repair, the data or approved methods used, and include the signature of the authorized person approving the work.
Question 7: An aircraft owner asks a mechanic to sign off an annual inspection after the owner performed the maintenance work. Is this permitted?
- Yes, if the owner holds a sport pilot certificate
- No, only a certificated mechanic or repair station may perform the work that an IA signs off (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the owner obtained an owner-performed maintenance authorization from the FSDO
- Yes, for any aircraft under 12,500 lbs gross weight
Correct answer: No, only a certificated mechanic or repair station may perform the work that an IA signs off
An IA may not sign off a return to service for work performed by an uncertificated person; the actual maintenance must also be performed by a certificated individual.
