Subject area J of 12
Physics for Aviation
5-10% of the A&P General test, about 3 to 6 of the 60 questions. The FAA's test standard lists 13 knowledge elements and 4 risk management elements for this area. Here is every one, plus sample questions to try.
What the FAA tests
From the aviation mechanic test standard, FAA-S-ACS-1.
Knowledge: what you must know
- AM.I.J.K1Matter and energy.
- AM.I.J.K2Work, power, force, and motion.
- AM.I.J.K3Simple machines and mechanics.
- AM.I.J.K4Heat and pressure.
- AM.I.J.K5Bernoulli’s Principle.
- AM.I.J.K6Newton’s Law of Motion.
- AM.I.J.K7Gas law and fluid mechanics.
- AM.I.J.K8Theory of flight (aerodynamics).
- AM.I.J.K9Standard atmosphere and factors affecting atmospheric conditions.
- AM.I.J.K10Primary and secondary aircraft flight controls.
- AM.I.J.K11Additional aerodynamic devices, including vortex generators, wing fences, and stall strips.
- AM.I.J.K12Relationship between temperature, density, weight, and volume.
- AM.I.J.K13Force, area, or pressure in a specific application.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- AM.I.J.R1Changes in aircraft and engine performance due to density altitude.
- AM.I.J.R2Effect a repair can have on a flight surface.
- AM.I.J.R3Use of performance/testing data.
- AM.I.J.R4Use of related units of measure (e.g., Celsius vs. Fahrenheit).
Try a sample question
Physics for Aviation · AM.I.J.R1
Why is the allowable takeoff gross weight of an aircraft generally reduced for operations in areas where the air is consistently humid?
Practice all of physics for aviation
The full course has questions on every element listed here, with an explanation and FAA source for each.