Cheat sheet

FAA AMT General Cheat Sheet

Electricity and Electronics

Not publishedof exam

Aircraft Drawings

Not publishedof exam

Weight and Balance

Not publishedof exam

Fluid Lines and Fittings

Not publishedof exam

Materials, Hardware, Processes

Not publishedof exam

Ground Operations and Servicing

Not publishedof exam

Ground Operations and ServicingAvgas Color CodesFire extinguisher classesFueling and bonding

Cleaning and Corrosion Control

Not publishedof exam

Mathematics

Not publishedof exam

Maintenance MathArea and volumeUnit conversionsCompression ratio

Regulations, Forms, Records

Not publishedof exam

Physics for Aviation

Not publishedof exam

Physics Facts and LawsStandard atmosphereGas lawsSimple machines

Inspection Concepts and Techniques

Not publishedof exam

Human Factors

Not publishedof exam

Quick Facts

Test code
AMG
Questions
60 multiple-choice
Time
2 hours
Pass
70 percent
Delivery
PSI computer-based
Fee
About $175, center varies
Subjects
12 ACS subjects, weights unpublished
Report valid
24 calendar months
Retest
30 days, or with instruction
Certificate age
18 years, 14 CFR 65.71
Blueprint
ACS November 1, 2021

Ohm and Watt Wheel

E = I x R and P = I x E

E: voltsI: amperesR: ohmsP: wattsCover the unknown

Series vs Parallel

Series

  • One current path
  • Current same everywhere
  • Resistances add up

Parallel

  • Several current paths
  • Voltage same everywhere
  • Total below smallest branch

Current same versus voltage same

Ohm and Watt Formulas

E = I x R
Volts from amps, ohms
I = E / R
Amps from volts, ohms
R = E / I
Ohms from volts, amps
P = I x E
Watts from amps, volts
P = I^2 x R
Watts from current squared
P = E^2 / R
Watts from volts squared
Kirchhoff current law
Current in equals out
Kirchhoff voltage law
Drops equal applied voltage
Watt's law
Power links volts, ampsP = I x E

Lead-Acid vs Ni-Cad

Lead-acid

  • Sulfuric acid electrolyte
  • Gravity shows state of charge
  • About 2 volts per cell

Ni-Cad

  • Potassium hydroxide electrolyte
  • Gravity does not show charge
  • About 1.25 volts per cell

Hydrometer works only lead-acid

Series and Parallel Rules

Series total resistance
Add every resistance
Series current
Same at every point
Series voltage
Drops add to source
Parallel total resistance
Less than smallest branch
Two parallel resistors
Product over sum
Equal parallel resistors
One value over count
Parallel voltage
Same across each branch
Parallel current
Branch currents add up
Open in series
Whole circuit stops
Open in parallel
Other branches keep working

Resistor Color Code

Black
Digit 0
Brown
Digit 1
Red
Digit 2
Orange
Digit 3
Yellow
Digit 4
Green
Digit 5
Blue
Digit 6
Violet
Digit 7
Gray
Digit 8
White
Digit 9
Gold band
Tolerance 5 percent
Silver band
Tolerance 10 percent
No fourth band
Tolerance 20 percent
Third band
Number of zeros added

Batteries and Meters

Lead-acid electrolyte
Sulfuric acid and water
Charged lead-acid gravity
1.275 to 1.300
Discharged lead-acid gravity
About 1.150
Lead-acid cell
About 2 volts
Ni-Cad electrolyte
Potassium hydroxide, KOH
Ni-Cad cell
About 1.25 volts
Ammeter
Connect in series
Voltmeter
Connect in parallel
Ohmmeter
Circuit power off first
Hydrometer
Reads electrolyte specific gravity
Cells in series
Voltage adds, capacity same
Cells in parallel
Capacity adds, voltage same

Drawing Line Conventions

Visible line
Solid, edges you see
Hidden line
Short dashes, unseen edges
Center line
Long and short dashes
Dimension line
Arrowheads carrying the size
Extension line
Projects the measured edge
Leader line
Arrow pointing to note
Phantom line
Alternate position or motion
Cutting plane line
Where the section cuts
Section lines
Hatching on cut material
Break line
Shortens a long part

Drawing Types and Blocks

Detail drawing
One part, fully dimensioned
Assembly drawing
Parts joined together
Installation drawing
Part located on aircraft
Sectional view
Interior after a cut
Schematic
Function, not actual location
Block diagram
System flow by blocks
Orthographic projection
Front, top, side views
Title block
Name, number, scale, date
Zone numbers
Locate detail on print
Tolerance
Allowable variation from dimension
Bill of material
Parts list for drawing
Revision block
Changes made to drawing

Weight Shift Proportion

Weight moved / total = CG change / distance

Solve for CG changeOr solve weight movedDistance is load travelTotal weight stays same

Tare vs Ballast

Tare

  • Chocks and blocks weighed
  • Subtract from scale reading
  • Not part of aircraft

Ballast

  • Weight added deliberately
  • Moves CG into limits
  • Recorded in the records

Subtract tare, add ballast

Which Formula to Use

  1. Need moment from weightWeight times arm
  2. Need arm from momentMoment divided by weight
  3. Need aircraft CGTotal moment over total weight
  4. Equipment added or removedAdjust weight and moment(Recompute the CG)
  5. Moving an existing loadWeight shift proportion
  6. CG forward of limitAdd ballast aft(Solve required weight)
  7. Need power from workWork divided by time
  8. Need current from voltsVolts divided by ohms

Weight and Balance Formulas

Moment = weight x arm
Turning effect about datum
Arm = moment / weight
Distance back from moment
CG = total moment / total weight
Balance point of aircraft
Datum
Reference for all arms
Station
Inches from the datum
Positive arm
Behind the datum
Negative arm
Ahead of the datum
Useful load
Max weight minus empty
Empty weight CG
Empty moment over empty weight
Moment index
Moment reduced by factor
MAC
Mean aerodynamic chord

Weighing and Loading Checks

Empty weight includes
Unusable fuel, full operating fluids
Before weighing
Level, clean, drain fuel
Scales
Check calibration first
Tare
Chocks and blocks, subtract
Ballast
Added weight correcting CG
Forward adverse check
Load only forward stations
Aft adverse check
Load only aft stations
Avgas
6 lb per gallon
Turbine fuel
6.7 lb per gallon
Lubricating oil
7.5 lb per gallon
Water
8.35 lb per gallon
Standard person
170 lb each

AN vs MS Fittings

AN flared

  • Cone on fitting end
  • Tube must be flared
  • Black steel, blue aluminum

MS flareless

  • Straight fitting end
  • Sleeve bites the tube
  • Body, sleeve and nut

Cone versus straight end

Tubing and Hose Sizing

Rigid tube size
Outside diameter in sixteenths
Wall thickness
Printed in thousandths inch
Tube inside diameter
OD minus twice wall
Hose dash number
Matching tube size only
AN fitting dash
Tube OD in sixteenths
Aircraft flare angle
35 to 37 degrees
Automotive flare angle
45 degrees, never used
AN steel fitting
Colored black
AN aluminum fitting
Colored blue
Aluminum bronze fitting
Cadmium plated, natural color
Aluminum tube marking
Painted color code band

Hose and Fitting Rules

Lay line
Printed stripe showing twist
Twisted hose
Straighten before final torque
MS flareless fitting
Body, sleeve and nut
Flareless use
High pressure, 3,000 psi
AN flared fitting
Cone on fitting end
MS flareless end
Straight, no cone
Buna-N hose
Petroleum fuel and oil
Butyl hose
Phosphate ester Skydrol fluid
Teflon hose
Wide temperature, chemical resistant
New hose test
1.5 times system pressure
Torque seal
Witness mark after torquing
Titanium warning
Never in oxygen systems

AN Bolt Decode

AN3DD5A: sixteenths, alloy, eighths, undrilled

3: 3/16 inch diameterDD: 2024 aluminum alloyC: corrosion-resistant steel5: 5/8 inch longA: undrilled shank

AN Bolt Part Numbers

AN prefix
Air Force-Navy standard bolt
First number
Diameter in sixteenths inch
DD code
2024 aluminum alloy
C code
Corrosion-resistant steel
No letter code
Cadmium-plated steel
Second number
Length in eighths inch
A suffix
Undrilled shank
H before length
Head drilled for safetying
AN310
Aircraft castle nut
AN320
Castellated shear nut
AN315 and AN335
Plain nuts
AN350
Wing nut
AN960
Plain washer

Torque and Safetying

Inch-pounds to foot-pounds
Divide by twelve
Lubricating threads
Only when manual says
Turn the nut
Preferred over the bolt
Drive-end extension
Recompute using the formula
Torque wrench check
Test at least monthly
Cotter pin holes
Never loosen to align
Double twist wire
Most common safetying method
Single wire method
Small closely spaced screws
Widely spaced bolts
Three maximum per series
Closely spaced bolts
24-inch wire length limit
Wire pull direction
Toward tightening the fastener
Fiber locknut limit
Not above 250 F

Materials and Hardness Tests

Alclad
Pure aluminum over alloy
Anodizing
Electrolytic oxide film
1100 rivet
As fabricated, low strength
2117 rivet
Most used, drive anytime
2017 and 2024 rivets
Icebox rivets, reheat-treat
5056 rivet
For magnesium alloy sheet
Brinell tester
10 millimeter hardened ball
Brinell load
3,000 kg ferrous metals
Rockwell C
Diamond penetrator, 150 kilograms
Rockwell B
Ball penetrator, 100 kilograms
Barcol tester
Portable hardness tester
Tension
Pulls material apart
Compression
Squeezes material together
Shear
Slides layers sideways
Torsion
Twisting force

Avgas Color Codes

Red 80, green 100, blue 100LL

Red: grade 80Green: grade 100Blue: grade 100LLPurple: grade 115

Ground Operations and Servicing

Grade 80
Colored red
Grade 100
Colored green
Grade 100LL
Colored blue
Grade 115
Colored purple
Class A fire
Wood, paper, cloth
Class B fire
Fuel, oil, solvents
Class C fire
Energized electrical equipment
Class D fire
Flammable metal, never water
Bonding wire
Truck to aircraft before fueling
Nozzle bond
Bond before opening tank
Never ground to
Exhaust stack or propeller
Lightning limit
None within five miles
Ground radar limit
None within 500 feet
Water slugs
Free water drained after fueling
Entrained water
Droplets making fuel cloudy
Oxygen servicing
No oil, grease, fuel

Corrosion Severity Ladder

Surface, pitting, intergranular, exfoliation

Surface: uniform etchPitting: small deep holesIntergranular: grain boundariesExfoliation: lifted layers

Galvanic vs Intergranular

Galvanic

  • Two dissimilar metals touching
  • Needs an electrolyte
  • Worst right at joint

Intergranular

  • Along the grain boundaries
  • From improper heat treatment
  • Often no surface evidence

Metals touching versus grain structure

Corrosion Treatment Picker

  1. Light corrosion on aluminumNonwoven pad, aluminum wool(Never steel wool)
  2. Corrosion on steel partSteel wool or brush(Ferrous tools only)
  3. Superficial aluminum corrosionChromic acid inhibitor(Dwell five minutes)
  4. Bare aluminum after removalConversion coating, then primer(Refinish promptly)
  5. Filiform found under paintStrip, treat, refinish(Store below 70 percent)
  6. Exfoliation on an extrusionUltrasonic or eddy current(Assess depth first)
  7. Dissimilar metal jointInsulate with sealant, primer(Break the circuit)
  8. Pits in stressed areaBlend out completely(Prevent stress risers)

Corrosion Types

Surface corrosion
Uniform etch, powdery deposit
Pitting
Small deep holes
Filiform
Wormlike traces under paint
Intergranular
Attack along grain boundaries
Exfoliation
Lifted grains, advanced intergranular
Galvanic
Dissimilar metals plus electrolyte
Concentration cell
Crevice or faying surface
Stress corrosion
Stress plus corrosive environment
Fretting
Slight rubbing between parts
Filiform humidity
78 to 90 percent
Steel filiform traces
Never cross each other
Aluminum filiform traces
Cross under one another

Corrosion Control Products

Chemical conversion coating
Alodine on bare aluminum
Chromic acid
Inhibitor for aluminum alloys
Chromic acid dwell
At least five minutes
Anodized film
Do not abrade it
Alclad layer
Sacrificial, avoid removing it
Corrosion preventive compound
Waxy sealant or thin film
Never on aluminum
Steel wool, steel brush
Abrasive pad rule
Never reuse across metals
Caustic cleaners
Attack aluminum, use neutral
Filiform prevention
Store below 70 percent
Magnesium fire
Water makes it worse

Maintenance Math

Circle area
Pi times radius squared
Cylinder volume
Base area times height
Rectangle area
Length times width
Triangle area
Half base times height
Compression ratio
Total volume over clearance volume
Percent
Part over whole, times 100
Ratio
Compares two like quantities
1 inch
25.4 millimeters
1 gallon
231 cubic inches
1 cubic foot
1,728 cubic inches
Celsius to Fahrenheit
Times 9/5, then add 32
Fahrenheit to Celsius
Minus 32, times 5/9
Scientific notation
Digits times power of ten

Major vs Minor Work

Major

  • May appreciably affect airworthiness
  • Not by elementary operations
  • Form 337 required

Minor

  • Anything not major
  • Elementary operations, accepted practices
  • Logbook entry only

Form 337 marks major

Who Approves Return to Service

  1. Minor airframe maintenanceMechanic, airframe rating(65.85)
  2. Minor powerplant maintenanceMechanic, powerplant rating(65.87)
  3. 100-hour inspectionAppropriately rated mechanic(65.85 and 65.87)
  4. Annual inspectionMechanic holding IA(65.95)
  5. Major repair or alterationIA or repair station(Approved data required)
  6. Progressive inspectionIA performs or supervises(91.409(d))
  7. Preventive maintenance, own aircraftPrivate pilot or higher(43.3(g), 43.7(f))
  8. Work done under supervisionSupervising certificate holder(43.3(d))

Regulation Quick Map

14 CFR 1.1
Maintenance and repair definitions
43.3
Who may perform maintenance
43.5
Conditions before return to service
43.7
Who may approve return
43.9
Maintenance record entry content
43.11
Inspection record entry content
43 Appendix A
Major, minor, preventive maintenance
43 Appendix B
Form 337 disposition rules
43 Appendix D
Annual and 100-hour scope
43 Appendix E
Altimeter and static tests
43 Appendix F
Transponder tests and inspections
Part 39
Airworthiness directives are mandatory
39.7
Operating noncompliant is a violation
39.19
Alternative method of compliance
91.403
Owner keeps aircraft airworthy
91.409
Annual and 100-hour requirement
91.417
Owner maintenance record keeping

Preventive Maintenance vs Maintenance

Preventive maintenance

  • Listed in 43 Appendix A
  • No complex assembly operations
  • Pilot owner may perform

Maintenance

  • Inspection, overhaul, repair, replacement
  • Excludes preventive maintenance
  • Certificated mechanic required

Listed items are preventive

Which Form or Record

  1. Routine maintenance completed43.9 record entry
  2. Inspection completed43.11 record entry
  3. Major repair or alterationFAA Form 337(43 Appendix B)
  4. Aircraft found unairworthyDated discrepancy list(43.11(b))
  5. Service defect discoveredFAA Form 8010-4(Malfunction or Defect Report)
  6. Part released for installationFAA Form 8130-3(Authorized release)
  7. AD action cannot workRequest an AMOC(39.17 and 39.19)
  8. Recurring AD complied withRecord method and next due(91.417(a)(2)(v))

Required Record Entries

43.9 first item
Description of work performed
43.9 second item
Date the work completed
43.9 third item
Name of person performing
43.9 fourth item
Signature, certificate number, kind
43.11 first item
Inspection type and extent
43.11 second item
Date and total time
43.11 third item
Signature, number, certificate kind
Airworthy wording
Certify inspected, airworthy condition
Unairworthy wording
Dated discrepancy list provided
Inoperative equipment
Placard and list it
Work records kept
One year or until superseded
Permanent records
Transfer with the aircraft
AD record content
Number, date, method, next due

Approved vs Acceptable Data

Approved data

  • FAA specifically approved
  • Major repair or alteration
  • STC, AD, approved 337

Acceptable data

  • Manufacturer manual, AC 43.13
  • Minor repair or alteration
  • Not FAA approved

Major needs approved data

Part 65 Mechanic Rules

65.17
Passing grade is 70 percent
65.19
Retest after 30 days
65.19 shortcut
Signed statement of instruction
65.71
Age 18, English, 24 months
65.75
Written test from the ACS
65.77 one rating
18 months practical experience
65.77 both ratings
30 months concurrent experience
65.80
School students may test early
65.81
Never approve unfamiliar work
65.83
Six months within 24
65.85
Airframe 100-hour return privilege
65.87
Powerplant and propeller privileges
65.91
Inspection authorization eligibility
65.95
IA annual, major repairs

Physics Facts and Laws

Standard pressure
29.92 inHg, 14.7 psi
Standard temperature
15 C, or 59 F
One horsepower
33,000 ft-lb per minute
Horsepower per second
550 ft-lb per second
Work
Force times distance
Power
Work divided by time
Bernoulli
Velocity up, pressure down
Pascal
Pressure acts equally everywhere
Boyle
Pressure up, volume down
Charles
Temperature up, volume up
Newton third law
Equal and opposite reaction
Specific gravity
Density compared with water
Mechanical advantage
Resistance divided by effort

100-Hour vs Annual

100-hour

  • Every 100 hours
  • Only for hire operations
  • Rated mechanic signs

Annual

  • Every 12 calendar months
  • All part 91 aircraft
  • Only an IA signs

Same scope, different signer

Which Inspection Applies

  1. Private aircraft, no hireAnnual only(12 calendar months)
  2. Carrying persons for hireAnnual plus 100-hour(91.409(b))
  3. Flight instruction for hireAnnual plus 100-hour(Provider supplies aircraft)
  4. Owner wants split inspectionProgressive program(FSDO approval needed)
  5. En route to inspection10-hour extension(Subtract from next)
  6. IFR in controlled airspaceAltimeter and static test(24 calendar months)
  7. Transponder installedTransponder test(24 calendar months)
  8. Part 135 operatorApproved inspection program(Operations specifications)

Inspection Intervals

Annual inspection
Every 12 calendar months
100-hour inspection
Carrying persons for hire
Instruction for hire
100-hour also required
100-hour overfly
10 hours reaching inspection place
Overfly payback
Excess counts toward next
Annual substitution
Annual satisfies the 100-hour
Progressive inspection
FSDO approved, IA supervised
Altimeter and static
24 calendar months, IFR
Transponder test
24 calendar months
ELT inspection
Every 12 calendar months
ELT battery
One cumulative hour, 50 percent
Same scope
Appendix D covers both

Penetrant vs Magnetic Particle

Dye penetrant

  • Any nonporous material
  • Surface-open defects only
  • No electricity required

Magnetic particle

  • Ferromagnetic parts only
  • Surface and near subsurface
  • Demagnetize when finished

Material decides the method

NDT Method Picker

  1. Crack open to surfaceDye penetrant
  2. Steel part, surface cracksMagnetic particle(Demagnetize afterward)
  3. Aluminum skin around fastenerEddy current(Immediate results)
  4. Flaw deep inside metalUltrasonic
  5. Internal assembly, no disassemblyRadiography(Radiation hazard)
  6. Composite skin suspected looseTap test
  7. Inside an engine cylinderBorescope
  8. Porous or magnetic partNot dye penetrant(Penetrant needs nonporous)

Nondestructive Test Methods

Visual
Fastest, surface defects only
Dye penetrant
Surface-open, nonporous materials
Fluorescent penetrant
Read under ultraviolet light
Magnetic particle
Ferromagnetic parts only
Eddy current
Conductive, surface and near-surface
Ultrasonic
Internal flaws and thickness
Radiography
Internal, radiation hazard
Tap test
Composite delamination check
Borescope
Inside view without disassembly
Demagnetize
Required after magnetic particle
NDI personnel
Qualified and certified required

Precision Measuring Tools

Steel rule
1/64 inch or 0.01
Micrometer
Reads to 0.001 inch
Vernier micrometer
Reads to 0.0001 inch
Micrometer fixed parts
Frame, barrel, anvil
Micrometer moving parts
Thimble and spindle
Dial indicator
Runout, warpage, travel
Feeler gauge
Measures small gaps
Telescoping gauge
Bore size, read with micrometer
Small hole gauge
Very small bore measurement
Thread pitch gauge
Threads per inch
Calibration
Track and mark due dates

Dirty Dozen

Twelve human factors behind maintenance error

Lack of communicationComplacencyLack of knowledgeDistractionLack of teamworkFatigueLack of resourcesPressureLack of assertivenessStressLack of awarenessNorms

Human Factors Essentials

PEAR
People, Environment, Actions, Resources
Dirty Dozen source
Transport Canada, twelve factors
Active error
Immediate effect at task
Latent error
Hidden until conditions expose
Unintentional slip
Accidental deviation from accuracy
Intentional error
Treated as a violation
Norms
Unwritten habits, not procedures
Complacency
Overconfidence from repeated tasks
Shift turnover
Brief incomplete work clearly
Malfunction or Defect Report
FAA Form 8010-4
Human error
Manageable, not fully avoidable

PEAR Model

People, Environment, Actions, Resources

People do the jobEnvironment they work inActions they performResources to finish it

Common Traps

Test length confusion

General has 60 questions Airframe and powerplant have 100

Who signs the inspection

Only an IA signs annual Rated mechanic signs 100-hour

The 10-hour overfly

Allowed only en route Excess subtracts from next

Data type for the job

Major work needs approved data Minor work takes acceptable data

Flare angle

Aircraft flare 35 to 37 Automotive 45 degrees prohibited

Hose dash number

Matches the tubing size Not the inside diameter

Battery hydrometer

Lead-acid gravity shows charge Ni-Cad gravity does not

Tube sizing

Rigid tube by outside diameter Hose by matching tube size

Recent experience

Six months within 24 Not six months yearly

Test report validity

Report expires in 24 months Retake if practical unfinished

Cleaning tool choice

Steel wool suits steel It ruins aluminum surfaces

Last Minute

  1. 1.AMG is 60 questions, 2 hours
  2. 2.Passing grade is 70 percent
  3. 3.Twelve ACS General subject areas
  4. 4.FAA publishes no subject weights
  5. 5.Volts equal amps times ohms
  6. 6.Watts equal amps times volts
  7. 7.Moment equals weight times arm
  8. 8.CG equals total moment over weight
  9. 9.Annual 12 months, 100-hour for hire
  10. 10.IA signs annual, mechanic signs 100-hour
  11. 11.Major repair needs approved data, 337
  12. 12.43.9 is maintenance, 43.11 is inspection
  13. 13.Recent experience 6 months in 24
  14. 14.Aircraft flare 37 degrees, not 45
  15. 15.Rigid tubing sized by outside diameter
  16. 16.Alodine is a conversion coating
  17. 17.Filiform corrosion hides under paint
  18. 18.Dye penetrant needs surface-open cracks
  19. 19.Dirty Dozen lists twelve error factors
  20. 20.Avgas 100LL is colored blue
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