Reddit reviews Aviation Mechanic Handbook: The Aviation Standard

Remember 7-11 twists per inch, I think that's IAW AC-43 or this handy book that should be in your toolbox. http://www.amazon.com/Aviation-Mechanic-Handbook-The-Standard/dp/1560278986

Also your middle bolt is "neutral" and is NOT being assisted by the lock/safety wire.

It should look like this: http://image.customclassictrucks.com/f/28178941/1003cct_13_o+how_to_safety_wire+screwheads_double_twist_method.jpg So you have an "S" shape at each bolt. This is so it's always being pulled tight incase a fastener is loosened.

Other people are also right, in that you should be doing the twists counter clockwise at each interval such as: http://firetrucksandequipment.tpub.com/TM-9-254/img/TM-9-254_202_1.jpg The second picture from the top. This pushes the wire into the work so that it doesn't come up over the top of the head of the fastener.

I was also taught not to twist the wire by hand at a 180 degree angle as it might nick it causing stress raiser but as usual YMMV.

Oh yeah, before I forget, bend your tails so you don't cut the next person sticking their hand in doesn't get cut (run your finger over just to make sure). I saw it the other day, on a Cessna Conquest in the engine compartment, it wasn't nice, the guy got cut pretty bad.

Happy to help. This is my 4" block I did at trade school. https://i.imgur.com/GvV19aV.jpg All done by hand...

practice, practice, practice :)

Yeah every examiner is different, but the majority of my questions were variations of questions from these books. Some were multiple choice questions asked as an open-ended question, and some were the exact wording of the oral questions in the back. The books do a great job of covering all the bases.

Other than these, the other questions were just general knowledge or things that you just KNOW. The practical is pretty easy, they changed up the standards for it I guess. You get randomly assigned projects sent from the FAA, so its a lottery almost. One of mine was to drill out rivets in a round inspection panel/patch plate. Re-fabricate based on the old dimensions and rivet it back in, using the existing holes. That was my longest project, and it was too easy. I'm not they best riveter, but in the end he asked me to identify my deficiencies and he said that was good enough.

I had one where I had to remove and service a wheel bearing in a landing gear. Grab the manual, follow instructions, and you cant screw up! Another project was writing a maintenance entry for a log book with the proper level of detail. Another project was looking up all the ADs on an aircraft specified by the examiner (literally copy/pasted FAA.gov search results to a new word doc, formatted it, and presented it to the examiner. They could go one step further and make you confirm that all ADs are complied with based on maintenance logs they give you.

I hope this helps. I was sweating for about the first 10 minutes of the oral portion, but my confidence grew with every correct answer. I think I missed 4 of around 50ish verbal questions I was asked. As long as they keep asking them, you're still in the game! If they cut it short you know you messed up, haha.'


PS: this is a nice reference too. You can even buy it used for a discount. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1560278986/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Glad someone found this subreddit!

Sure thing amigo, here you go:

Aviation Mechanic Hanbook - Sixth Edition

A&P Technician GENERAL TEXTBOOK

Aircraft Inspection, Repair & Alterations

A&P Technician POWERPLANT TEXTBOOK

A&P Technician Airframe Textbook

Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant

There are 2 more books, they are the study guides for the A&P books. Not required, but optional books.

Good luck! happy reads!