The Lone Star Aviation Test Prep Program located at Conroe-North Houston Airport has proven successful for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians pursuing an Inspection Authorization or IA Certification working as an aircraft mechanic. Our current pass rate stands at 92%.
Robert Cunningham, owner and instructor, states, “There is a level of expectation in quality, standards and experience that comes with being an Authorized Inspector. Safety is foremost for every AMT but an IA puts his name, reputation and license on the line with every sign off for an aircraft going back into service. Not every mechanic will meet this caliber. This is not a test you can memorize. It is a test based on your knowledge and experience.”
The Inspection Authorization test offered by the FAA is the only Airman Knowledge Exam which remains a “closed test”. The exact question bank is not available to the public. This test is 50 questions and is allowed three hours to complete. An AMT must be able to research and gather the information provided for the questions and then from this, glean the information to arrive at the answer.
There is a high demand for mechanics and aviation technicians. An aviation mechanic who has held a certification for airframe and powerplant for at least three years and has worked on aircraft for two of those years is eligible to test as an Authorized Inspector to sign off on repairs and place an aircraft back into service.
The test prep program also provides insight into the function of an IA, and excerpts of regulations, advisory circulars, airworthiness directives, type certificate data sheets, FAA orders and aircraft specifications. We also provide instruction on challenging topics such as sheet metal, bend radius and weight and balance. In large facilities this is done with a computer program. The written test requires the candidate to have mastered the mathematical formulas to complete these functions.
Lone Star Aviation Testing Center can provide the insight, knowledge and information required to pass this FAA Airman Knowledge Test through our IA test prep program. The cost of the program is $599 which includes the FAA written test. Most candidates are ready to test in as few as four days. Testing is administered on site. More information can be found at www.flyinhouston.com/inspectionauthorization or by calling 832-721-3158.
