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A&P Testing Supplement (FAA-CT-8080-4G): Figures and How to Use Them

Last updated October 12, 2026

The Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Aviation Maintenance Technician (FAA-CT-8080-4G) is the FAA’s book of charts, tables, circuit diagrams and drawings for the A&P written tests. It holds 73 figures for General, 7 for Powerplant and 34 for Airframe, and it is the supplement the FAA’s testing matrix lists for all three tests as of September 25, 2026 (FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents pages v to vii; FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, rev. 9/25/26, p. 6). The FAA is also moving these images into the test questions themselves, so the printed supplement is on its way out, but no removal date has been set (FAA Airman Testing Community Advisory, September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).

What the supplement is

The supplement is an FAA Flight Standards Service publication, dated 2018 (FAA-CT-8080-4G, title page). It replaced FAA-CT-8080-4F of 2013, and it is meant for the organizations that give FAA knowledge tests (FAA-CT-8080-4G, p. iii). The preface lists the tests it covers: Aviation Mechanic General (AMG), Powerplant (AMP) and Airframe (AMA), plus the parachute rigger tests (FAA-CT-8080-4G, p. iii).

You can download the supplement from faa.gov and practice with the same figures before test day.

The facts in a table

Item What the FAA says Source
Full title Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Aviation Maintenance Technician - General, Airframe, and Powerplant; and Parachute Rigger FAA-CT-8080-4G, title page
Edition FAA-CT-8080-4G, 2018 (replaces 4F, 2013) FAA-CT-8080-4G, title page and p. iii
Appendix 1: General Figures 1 to 71, plus 62A and 62B (pages 1-1 to 1-73) FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, pp. v to vi
Appendix 2: Powerplant Figures 1 to 7 (pages 2-1 to 2-7) FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, p. vi
Appendix 3: Airframe Figures 1 to 34 (pages 3-1 to 3-34) FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, pp. vi to vii
Appendix 4: Parachute Rigger Figures 1 to 16 (pages 4-1 to 4-16) FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, p. vii
AMG test 60 questions, 2.0 hours, passing score 70 Testing matrix, p. 6
AMA test 100 questions, 2.0 hours, passing score 70 Testing matrix, p. 6
AMP test 100 questions, 2.0 hours, passing score 70 Testing matrix, p. 6

Two details help when you read a question. Figure numbers restart in each appendix, so “Figure 1” in the Powerplant appendix is a different image from “Figure 1” in the Airframe appendix (FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, pp. v to vii). And General has two extra figures, 62A and 62B, which are parts 2 and 3 of the “Maintenance data” set that begins at Figure 62 (FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, p. vi).

What is in each appendix

Every figure has a short label in the contents list. These labels are how the FAA describes them (FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, pp. v to vii).

Appendix 1: General (73 figures)

  • Math: equations, trapezoid area, triangle area, scientific notation, volume of a sphere (Figures 1 to 3, 5, 52 to 60, 65 to 71).
  • Electricity: circuit diagrams, a battery circuit, landing gear and fuel system circuits, electrical symbols, transistors, a transistorized circuit and logic gates (Figures 4 and 6 to 26, 64).
  • Drawings: object views, sketches, material symbols and aircraft drawings (Figures 27 to 37).
  • Charts: performance charts, an electric wire chart and a cable tension chart (Figures 38 to 41).
  • Hardware and welds: aircraft hardware and welds (Figures 42 to 45).
  • Measuring and signals: precision measurement and marshalling signals (Figures 46 to 51).
  • Physics and data: a physics figure, the three-part maintenance data set and an airworthiness directive excerpt (Figures 61, 62, 62A, 62B and 63).

Appendix 2: Powerplant (7 figures)

An airworthiness directive excerpt, two fire extinguisher pressure charts, an electric wire chart, a starter-generator circuit, fuel/air ratio graphs and a fuel system diagram (Figures 1 to 7).

Appendix 3: Airframe (34 figures)

Rivets, countersinking, grip length, bending sheet metal, three sheet metal layouts, a control cable, a cable tension chart, a torque value figure, fittings, backup rings, a cooling system, a pressure temperature correction chart, a formula, antennas, a fuel system, battery connections, two landing gear circuits and a fire extinguisher chart (Figures 1 to 21). Thirteen more figures, 22 to 34, are all antennas.

How the figures show up in a question

The supplement itself is a set of labeled images, and its preface gives no instructions on how to read them (FAA-CT-8080-4G, p. iii). So treat each figure as a tool you should be able to use cold. Here are the common patterns, using the figure labels above.

  • Read a chart. The General cable tension chart (Figure 40) plots rigging load in pounds against temperature in degrees Fahrenheit for several cable sizes, and notes that its values include 10 percent structural deflection (FAA-CT-8080-4G, p. 1-40). The Airframe version (Figure 9) carries its own note: “All Cable Tension Readings Have a Tolerance of ±10 Percent” (p. 3-9). You pick the cable size, find the temperature and read the load.
  • Work a circuit. Circuit diagram figures give you a drawing. The question asks you to trace a path, find a total or name what a symbol does. Practice drawing the same circuit with your own numbers.
  • Interpret a drawing. Object views, sketches and aircraft drawings test whether you can read a print.
  • Apply paperwork. The General airworthiness directive excerpt (Figure 63) shows a compliance portion with time-in-service intervals, for example inspecting at 500 hours total time or within the next 50 hours after the effective date, and repeating at set intervals (FAA-CT-8080-4G, p. 1-65). You decide when the next action is due.
  • Look up a table. The electric wire chart (General Figure 39, Powerplant Figure 4) has wire sizes from 20 to 4/0 with curves for continuous and intermittent ratings (FAA-CT-8080-4G, p. 1-39).

The FAA is embedding images in the tests

The FAA is working with PSI on a Graphics Conversion Project that embeds images directly in test questions, “eliminating the need for printed test supplements” (FAA Airman Testing Community Advisory, September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5). The February 2026 advisory said that the Aviation Maintenance Technician tests (General, Airframe and Powerplant) would feature embedded images effective April 2026 (FAA Airman Testing Community Advisory, February 2026, p. 4). The August and September 2026 advisories list them among the exams that “feature questions with embedded images” (August 2026, p. 5; September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).

What that means for you, based on what the FAA wrote:

  1. The image is part of the question. The FAA says that once an image is embedded, it “becomes an integral part of that question” (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).
  2. You cannot preview the live images. The FAA says the specific images used in active test questions cannot be previewed, because that would compromise the exam’s integrity (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).
  3. Sample questions exist. The FAA encourages candidates to visit the PSI True Talent site regularly to see sample test questions and get used to the new format (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).
  4. The supplement is still available for now. “The date for removing testing supplements from test centers has not yet been set,” and until removal, candidates keep access to the testing supplement for their exam. The FAA promises “ample notice” before that change (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).
  5. Tools may change. Some questions may need specific measuring tools, and applicants “will have the tools they need.” The FAA said it could not yet give details of the on-screen tools and would announce any significant new electronic tools “well in advance” in the advisory (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).

One thing not to mix up: the October 26, 2026 change that adds new chart images (sectional charts and IFR enroute charts) is for the Instrument Rating Airplane and Unmanned Aircraft General tests, not the mechanic tests (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 6). The mechanic tests were already listed as featuring embedded images.

The FAA also said that modifications based on its assessment of the AMG, AMA and AMP tests “are anticipated to be implemented in 2027” (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 4). It has not said what those modifications are, so check the FAA’s advisory page again before you book.

How to prepare

  1. Download the supplement and skim all of your test’s figures once. For General that is Appendix 1 (73 figures). For Airframe it is Appendix 3. For Powerplant it is Appendix 2. Do this before you study the topics, so you know what the figures look like.
  2. Learn by topic, not by figure number. Because the images are moving into the questions and the FAA says you cannot preview the live ones, the skill that counts is reading the chart, circuit or drawing, not remembering a number. Pair each figure type with its topic page: Aircraft Drawings, Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics and Mathematics.
  3. Work each chart with your own numbers. Pick a cable size and a temperature, read the load, then check it against the figure. Do the same for wire sizes and performance charts.
  4. Do the weight and balance practice. Those problems use tables and arithmetic you can work on paper; see the A&P weight and balance practice guide.
  5. Take the free mock. Do a timed set, then review every miss. Start with the General free mock.
  6. Know your test’s size. The question counts and time limits are in the table above, and the how many questions guide goes through them.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up appendices. Figure numbers restart in each appendix (FAA-CT-8080-4G, contents, pp. v to vii). Make sure you are looking at the figure for your question’s test.
  • Skipping the notes on a figure. Many figures carry units, curve keys or notes. Read the labels before you read the numbers.
  • Memorizing figure numbers. The FAA is embedding images in questions and says live images cannot be previewed (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5). Learn the method.
  • Assuming the supplement is gone. As of the September 2026 advisory, no removal date had been set (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5).
  • Assuming the supplement tells you the answer. It is only images. You still need the knowledge from the handbooks and 14 CFR to use them.

Common questions

What is FAA-CT-8080-4G?

It is the FAA’s Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for the Aviation Maintenance Technician General, Airframe and Powerplant tests and the Parachute Rigger tests, dated 2018 (FAA-CT-8080-4G, title page and p. iii).

Do I get the supplement during the test?

The FAA says candidates “will continue to have access to the testing supplement for their exam” until the date for removing supplements from test centers, which had not been set as of September 2026 (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5). Ask your test center what it provides when you book.

Will the test use the same pictures as the supplement?

Not necessarily. The FAA says images are being embedded in test questions and that the specific images in active questions cannot be previewed (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 5). Practice the skill, not the picture.

Is there a newer supplement than 4G?

The FAA testing matrix of September 25, 2026 still lists FAA-CT-8080-4G (2018) for the mechanic tests (testing matrix, p. 6). Check faa.gov for any later edition.

Does the October 26 change affect the mechanic tests?

The new chart images starting October 26, 2026 apply to the Instrument Rating Airplane and Unmanned Aircraft General tests (September 2026 Special Edition, p. 6). The mechanic tests were already listed as featuring embedded images.

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