FAA certification - Interview and Test Preparation (PART II)

Interview and Test Preparation

• Interview questions commonly cover technical skills, operational procedures, and adherence to maintenance manuals and FAA regulations.
• The oral and practical test includes a pre-test interview where the evaluator reviews the candidate’s background, testing schedule, and any knowledge gaps.
• Operational questions may involve explaining the processes of testing aircraft engines and systems using various tools such as ignition analyzers and compression checkers.
• Candidates should be prepared to describe their systematic approach to maintenance, testing, and documentation to demonstrate competence and safety focus.​

‍

Examples of questions you may encounter in an FAA aviation mechanic certification interview and oral/practical test include:

1. Describe your qualifications as an A&P mechanic and any specific endorsements you hold.
2. Can you explain your experience troubleshooting aircraft systems? Describe the steps you take to diagnose and fix an issue.
3. What are the FAA mechanic certificate requirements and privileges? How do you stay current with FAA regulations?
4. Explain the process of performing a pre-flight or routine maintenance inspection.
5. Describe a challenging repair or diagnostic problem you resolved on an aircraft engine or airframe system.
6. How do you ensure compliance with aviation safety standards and quality assurance in your work?
7. Can you explain the use of diagnostic tools such as ignition analyzers or compression testers?
8. How do you document maintenance performed and test results according to FAA standards?
9. What types of aircraft and engines have you worked on, and what specific systems did you maintain?
10. Discuss a time you identified a mechanical issue before it became a larger problem and what actions you took.

Preparing detailed examples of your aircraft maintenance work using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is recommended to effectively answer behavioral and technical questions.

For example, you might say: “While working on a routine inspection, I noticed unusual engine vibrations. Using a vibration analyzer, I identified a loose component and secured it before it could cause an in-flight failure. This experience taught me the importance of vigilance and thorough inspections”.