Best aviation repair & maintenance books according to redditors

There is no limit, fly it as long as you want. I know a guy with a cherokee flying an o-320 with 4500 hours soh.

Edit: If you are going to be an owner and be involved in the maintenance (which you should be), buy this book asap https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Busch-Engines-maintenance-troubleshooting/dp/1718608950

Unlike what the submitter claimed in the title, it's actually 2560x1594 pixels, which isn't a lot, but enough to print on a poster.

It's from this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Sopwith-Camel-1916-1920-Owners-Workshop/dp/0857337955

Here's a slightly less compressed link:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1hJG5JDBtL.jpg

And here's a higher res drawing of another WW1 British biplane from the same illustrator:

https://d32ptomnhiuevv.cloudfront.net/en-gb/sites/default/files/product_jackets/Haynes-H5846-page-4.jpg

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 :)

I've done exactly one, but it exposed some issues with my plugs, so I'll be doing it more regularly (not every flight, probably, but periodically). Per Savvy:

> Also known as the "in-flight LOP mag check," the ignition stress test is the best way to evaluate the performance of your engine's ignition system. Every student pilot is taught to perform a mag check during the pre-flight engine run-up, but many pilots have never shut off a magneto in flight and are uncomfortable with the idea. That's a shame, because the in-flight ignition stress test is far more exacting and revealing of any ignition system problems than the usual run-up. The typical pre-flight mag check can detect only the grossest ignition system defects, while the in-flight stress test will reveal much more subtle ignition issues. ... [I]f your ignition system performance is marginal, it will show up during a lean (preferably LOP) in-flight test long before it becomes apparent in any other phase of operation. ... I recommend performing the ignition stress test on a regular basis - I do it on most every flight, generally at the end of the cruise phase just before starting my descent. It should always be performed any time any sort of engine anomaly is suspected.

https://www.savvyanalysis.com/articles/in-flight-diagnostics (Author: Mike Busch, A&P IA, airplane engine guru; this should be required reading IMHO)

My on-the-ground mag checks were fine, ~100 rpm drop on both mags, smooth, temp changes were normal. But the in-flight test revealed three of my eight spark plugs have drifted way out of spec (>5000K Ohms internal resistance), a problem that would have eventually grounded me on a run-up mag check - but I caught it well before it degraded to that point.

It absolutely will catch developing issues that aren't "visible" during the run-up check.

Mike Busch is the author of Manifesto, which is an easy read, but introduces the general aviation pilot to a whole new way of thinking about aircraft maintenance. Now he's come out with a 500-page ultimate guide to GA piston aircraft engines. I can't wait to read this and know everything a pilot should know about how to treat their engine and how to handle it when things go wrong.

https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Busch-Engines-maintenance-troubleshooting/dp/1718608950/

Make sure they actually show you what the problem is and don’t feel bad about getting a 2nd opinion. I’m in the middle of annual hell because mechanic 1 told me engine is shot, $25k send to overhaul, and mechanics 2&3 are like nah he’s cray nothing is wrong.

I learned a lot by reading Mike Busch’s book Engines

Hey there, heres some links with more info including a study guide which covers which topics are covered, as well as the structure of the test.

https://www.astm.org/CERTIFICATION/filtrexx40.cgi?-P+PROG+10+cert_detail.frm -- general info

https://www.astm.org/CERTIFICATION/DOCS/419.AET_Study_Guide_v5_12.pdf -- study guide

https://www.amazon.com/NCATT-AET-Test-Study-Guide/dp/1484094433 -- book some people said was helpful

Good luck! Taking mine soon as well

I'm really glad you brought this up because I'm about to pick up my IO-360 with a fresh major overhaul, and I've been researching it. Lycoming says "Continue break-in operation for 50 hours or until oil consumption stabilizes." Millenium/Superior says about the same thing, but leaves out the 50 hours and just says "till the rings have seated, oil consumption stabilizes, and cylinder head temperatures drop" This is a sign that the cylinders are broken in". At 100 hours with negligible oil consumption, you are there for sure. So, nice job!

Have you read Mike Busch's book Mike Busch on Engines? If not, you should. Really interesting and informative. Do you have a digital engine monitor installed?

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

If you're interested in this, I would very highly recommend Jet Engines: Fundamentals of Theory, Design and Operation It is surprisingly easy to read while still providing a very technical understanding of every aspect of turbine engine theory. There's no calculus involved and you don't need to know anything about aerodynamics to fully digest this book. Seriously, if you're at all interested in this sort of thing, you will absolutely love this book!

You're welcome! If you're really interested, this book is fantastic;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1853108340/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1371169400&sr=8-1&pi=SL75
Even a math-phobic like myself enjoyed it.

These would be a good start:
GROL+Radar https://www.amazon.com/dp/0945053606/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CgirzbRG9608Q

Avionics Training: Systems, Installation, and Troubleshooting https://www.amazon.com/dp/1885544219/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Giirzb62JVYSC

Plain-English Study Guide for the General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ9X8AA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jjirzbHP0JBY6

GROL Plus: General Radiotelephone Operator License Plus Radar Endorsement https://www.amazon.com/dp/0945053142/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Mjirzb020BB3W

Shop around for these or check with libraries.

-Nothing beats hands on experience. If you can get a job working for a repair station, DO IT.
-These pdfs are very useful.
-If you can not get a job, go to your local airfield. NOT the airport. They have security. airfields don't, typically. Go around to the local shops in the area and talk to the owners. Tell them you are wanting to get your A&P and are looking for somewhere to help you get your hands on experience besides the school. Maybe an internship or something to 1) get that foot in the door or 2) AT LEAST know what you are getting yourself into.
-If you are already in a school, hear are some things you are going to need to know:

• Keep your eye on the prize and don't get discouraged.
  
• If you understand something, don't hold the knowledge in. You learn 100% more by helping others understand the material that way.
  
• If you don't understand something, ask questions. Bug the **** out of that instructor. They are there to make you understand it and if they aren't explaining it well enough and are being a dick about it, then /r/aviation is a click away. I would and I'm sure others here would be more than happy to help you understand.
  
• Get Prepware for the writtens. It's actually a great study reference guide. If prepware is too expensive, then just the ASA General, Airframe, and Powerplant books are your best bet. They come with some good Oral questions to study and a Practical guide on what to expect. Prepware is just super useful to help you figure out if you are "test" ready yet. Which brings me to another thing.
  
• When you are mock testing yourself over the writtens. You have an hour on the general, but only 60 questions to take, while airframe and powerplant are two hours and 100 questions a piece. Use a scratch pad. Use it to write down the ones you are unsure about and come back to them once you get through all your questions. The worse feeling is being on a timed test and being stuck on question 10 because you can't remember the damned answer.
  -My last piece of advice is read the FARs! You need to know FAR 1, 3, 21, 23, 25, 35, 39, 43 (and appendix A, B, C, and D), 45, 47, 65, 121, 125, 135, 145, 147. I threw in a couple extras just because I thought they were cool to know. But seriously, you want an A&P certification? One of the only mechanical certifications given out by the federal government? Then read the laws they made for us. Super important.

Its not a course but this book is a good starting point for understanding why things are done.

https://www.amazon.com/NCATT-AET-Test-Study-Guide/dp/1484094433

I used this. was a breeze

The avotek book here is kind of our default text book, but I really don't like it. It doesn't do a good job at explaining things, and there's excess stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1933189282/ref=mp_s_a_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1485311225&sr=8-26&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=avotek

This book is pretty good, but has a LOT of minor errors that can be distracting.

https://www.amazon.com/NCATT-AET-Test-Study-Guide/dp/1484094433

This book is AWESOME! Even though it's not an aviation book, it explains 90% of what's on the AET and it does a really good job at explaining it. You could definitely buy an older addition to save some cash. If you buy this book you will have to use other material for things like FOE, fund. of flight, corrosion, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1111128537/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485311149&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=introduction+to+electronics&dpPl=1&dpID=51taV6yqLTL&ref=plSrch

Finally, watch these videos on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SpqwAasxY7U

The guy is a professor at a community college and again, even though it's not aviation related, he explains 90% of what's on the AET incredibly well.

Hope that helps!

this helped me There is a nice hardware section in there along with a bunch of other little info.

There's a whole book about it.

Manifesto: A Revolutionary Approach to General Aviation Maintenance by Mike Busch http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LVAJFC2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_udp_api_qlN6ybCP39XFG

May have to search individually...
https://www.amazon.com/Airframe-Test-Guide-2019-Fast-Track/dp/1619546620/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?keywords=a%26p+study+material&pd_rd_i=1619546620&pd_rd_r=69d0efce-8e21-440c-a081-464ea68999a4&pd_rd_w=lGdic&pd_rd_wg=musLo&pf_rd_p=d006b618-5fac-44e6-850d-a0fdd19f7847&pf_rd_r=7DBE57T3S9QGAY7NTFDP&qid=1564233759&s=gateway&sprefix=a%26p+

the ones in this series look pretty good:

https://www.amazon.com/McDonnell-Douglas-Boeing-Eagle-Manual/dp/0857332430/

No Bone, but Yes BUFF! (and just about any airframe anyone who plays DCS would care about)

So, when I was in A/P school, all my books were paid for by my tuition. I don't know how much these books are.

But these 3 books kind of go over the basics of airplanes, NOTE: In aviation there are like, 30 different publishers and they all publish the same info, for the most part. I'll just discuss the books I have experience with.

https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Maintenance-Glencoe-aviation-technology/dp/007112991X

https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Basic-Science-Michael-Kroes/dp/0028018141/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0028018141&pd_rd_r=9AQVXAHX7HKX18ZETEVP&pd_rd_w=wLMpb&pd_rd_wg=YrBDV&psc=1&refRID=9AQVXAHX7HKX18ZETEVP

https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Powerplants-Michael-Kroes/dp/0028018745/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0028018745&pd_rd_r=9AQVXAHX7HKX18ZETEVP&pd_rd_w=wLMpb&pd_rd_wg=YrBDV&psc=1&refRID=9AQVXAHX7HKX18ZETEVP

The red one is the introduction. Tells you the basics of how airplanes work, types of materials used, processes, tools, and Federal Regulations

The Green one is engine stuff. Top to bottom, everything you wanna know about aircraft engines. How they work, different types, etc

The blue one goes into detail about aircraft structures. Again more in depth into on materials and stuff

This next book is kind of the same as the Red book, but a bit more detailed and in depth. IMO a bit more technical, but has great info.

https://www.amazon.com/Aviation-Maintenance-Technician-Handbook-FAA-H-8083-30/dp/1619540258/ref=pd_sim_14_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1619540258&pd_rd_r=9AQVXAHX7HKX18ZETEVP&pd_rd_w=wLMpb&pd_rd_wg=YrBDV&psc=1&refRID=9AQVXAHX7HKX18ZETEVP

There's also this book published by the FAA

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/99861

When I was in school, they made physical copies of this book, but I'm not sure now. Essentially the FAA has specific methods of how to do things. Now for major manufacturers, like Boeing for example, they have THEIR own proprietary method for doing things, and they write their own manuals. But on smaller airplanes like Cessna's or homebuilt aircraft, these manufacturers don't really have specific maintenance instructions. The you for somethings, but a lot of times, you want that FAA book.

There's like a billion types of homebuilt options. Are you wanting to design from the ground up, or building a pre-designed airplane from a kit or prints?

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!