Aircraft Sheet Metal Technician Certification – Full
100-Question Practice Exam (With Answers)
1. What is the primary purpose of a rivet in sheet-metal construction?
A. Provide aerodynamic shaping
B. Join metal components securely
C. Reduce structural weight
D. Reduce vibration
Rationale: Rivets are fasteners used to permanently join sheet-metal
parts to create structural integrity.
2. Which rivet type is most commonly used in aircraft structures?
A. Flathead rivet
B. Tubular rivet
C. Solid shank rivet
D. Threaded rivet
Rationale: Solid shank rivets are standard in aircraft due to their
strength and reliability.
3. What does AN470 indicate?
A. Countersunk screw
B. Universal head rivet
C. CherryMAX rivet
D. Hi-Lok fastener
Rationale: AN470 identifies a universal-head solid rivet.
4. What is the AN426 rivet used for?
A. Structural beams
B. Hinge mounts
,C. Countersunk applications
D. Control surfaces only
Rationale: AN426 denotes countersunk rivets used where a flush
surface is required.
5. What is the minimum edge distance for solid rivets?
A. ½ the rivet diameter
B. 1 rivet diameter
C. 2 rivet diameters
D. 3 rivet diameters
Rationale: Standard edge distance is 2D to prevent tearing of the
sheet.
6. Which tool is used to measure rivet length?
A. Vernier height gauge
B. Tap gauge
C. Rivet gauge (grip gauge)
D. Micrometer caliper
Rationale: Grip gauges determine material thickness and proper rivet
length.
7. What is the primary advantage of countersinking instead of
dimpling?
A. Requires fewer tools
B. Can be done on thin skin only
C. Provides precise flush finish on thicker material
D. Eliminates pre-drilling
Rationale: Countersinking is suitable for thicker materials allowing the
rivet to sit flush.
8. Dimpling is preferred for thin sheet because:
, A. It looks cleaner
B. Countersinking would weaken the sheet
C. It increases hardness
D. It reduces vibration
Rationale: Thin sheets lose strength when countersunk, so dimpling is
safer.
9. What does the term "grip length" refer to?
A. Rivet head diameter
B. Total rivet length
C. Total thickness of materials being joined
D. Rivet shank taper
Rationale: Grip length equals the combined thickness of sheets to be
riveted.
10. Which tool is used to form dimples?
A. Rivet cutter
B. Hand seamer
C. Dimpling dies
D. Fluting pliers
Rationale: Male/female dies press matching shapes into sheet metal.
CONTINUE – Questions 11–100
11. What is the primary purpose of a bucking bar?
A. Align rivet heads
B. Polish sheet metal
C. Form the shop head during riveting
D. Remove defective rivets
100-Question Practice Exam (With Answers)
1. What is the primary purpose of a rivet in sheet-metal construction?
A. Provide aerodynamic shaping
B. Join metal components securely
C. Reduce structural weight
D. Reduce vibration
Rationale: Rivets are fasteners used to permanently join sheet-metal
parts to create structural integrity.
2. Which rivet type is most commonly used in aircraft structures?
A. Flathead rivet
B. Tubular rivet
C. Solid shank rivet
D. Threaded rivet
Rationale: Solid shank rivets are standard in aircraft due to their
strength and reliability.
3. What does AN470 indicate?
A. Countersunk screw
B. Universal head rivet
C. CherryMAX rivet
D. Hi-Lok fastener
Rationale: AN470 identifies a universal-head solid rivet.
4. What is the AN426 rivet used for?
A. Structural beams
B. Hinge mounts
,C. Countersunk applications
D. Control surfaces only
Rationale: AN426 denotes countersunk rivets used where a flush
surface is required.
5. What is the minimum edge distance for solid rivets?
A. ½ the rivet diameter
B. 1 rivet diameter
C. 2 rivet diameters
D. 3 rivet diameters
Rationale: Standard edge distance is 2D to prevent tearing of the
sheet.
6. Which tool is used to measure rivet length?
A. Vernier height gauge
B. Tap gauge
C. Rivet gauge (grip gauge)
D. Micrometer caliper
Rationale: Grip gauges determine material thickness and proper rivet
length.
7. What is the primary advantage of countersinking instead of
dimpling?
A. Requires fewer tools
B. Can be done on thin skin only
C. Provides precise flush finish on thicker material
D. Eliminates pre-drilling
Rationale: Countersinking is suitable for thicker materials allowing the
rivet to sit flush.
8. Dimpling is preferred for thin sheet because:
, A. It looks cleaner
B. Countersinking would weaken the sheet
C. It increases hardness
D. It reduces vibration
Rationale: Thin sheets lose strength when countersunk, so dimpling is
safer.
9. What does the term "grip length" refer to?
A. Rivet head diameter
B. Total rivet length
C. Total thickness of materials being joined
D. Rivet shank taper
Rationale: Grip length equals the combined thickness of sheets to be
riveted.
10. Which tool is used to form dimples?
A. Rivet cutter
B. Hand seamer
C. Dimpling dies
D. Fluting pliers
Rationale: Male/female dies press matching shapes into sheet metal.
CONTINUE – Questions 11–100
11. What is the primary purpose of a bucking bar?
A. Align rivet heads
B. Polish sheet metal
C. Form the shop head during riveting
D. Remove defective rivets
