Airworthy Prep

A&P Powerplant test code

AM.III.A.K3Reciprocating Engines

A&P Powerplant test (Section III), subject A

Written as am.iii.a.k3 or AM.III.A.K3 on your score report.

The FAA's wording

Internal combustion engine operating principles/theory of operation.

Aviation mechanic test standard, FAA-S-ACS-1, Section III, Subject A

What it means

AM.III.A.K3 is a knowledge element in the Reciprocating Engines subject of the A&P Powerplant test. A knowledge element is something the FAA expects you to know, and the written test asks questions on it.

AM
Aviation Mechanic, the mechanic test standard
III
Section III: Powerplant
A
Subject: Reciprocating Engines
K3
Knowledge element 3

Seeing it on your score report

Your Airman Knowledge Test Report lists an ACS code for each question you missed. Seeing AM.III.A.K3 there means at least one of your wrong answers was on this element. The examiner retests every code on your report during the oral part of the practical test, so study it before then.

Sources: Aviation Mechanic ACS Companion Guide, FAA-G-ACS-1 (Change 2), ch. 2, p. 11 and ch. 5, p. 19; FAA-S-ACS-1, Appendix 1, p. A-1.

The examiner will ask about the codes you missed

"All deficient knowledge areas, as indicated by the ACS codes on the AKTRs, are retested during the oral portion of the test."
FAA-S-ACS-1, Appendix 1, Evaluator Responsibilities, p. A-1

Your oral test is 4 random questions plus one for every code on your report, closed book. Our A&P Oral & Practical course builds a mock oral from the codes you tick, with a model answer and FAA source for every question, and a guide for every practical project. $49.

See Oral & Practical

Try a sample question on AM.III.A.K3

Reciprocating Engines ยท AM.III.A.K3

During a major overhaul you find dished piston heads, broken ring lands, and eroded areas on the valves. Which abnormal combustion condition do these findings most strongly indicate?

Practice reciprocating engines

The full A&P Powerplant course has questions on every element in this subject area, with an explanation and FAA source for each.