Aircraft Structures Technician Certification Practice Exam
– General Topics with Answers and Rationales (2025
Edition)
1. What is the primary purpose of aircraft structural components?
a) Provide electrical grounding
b) Support aerodynamic loads and stresses
c) Supply fuel to engines
d) Store hydraulic fluid
Rationale: Structural components are designed to carry and
distribute loads generated during flight, landing, and ground
operations.
2. Which part of the aircraft carries the majority of bending loads
during flight?
a) Fuselage
b) Wing spar
c) Aileron
d) Rib
Rationale: Wing spars are the main load-carrying members that
resist bending and flexing caused by lift forces.
3. What is the main function of ribs in an aircraft wing?
a) Provide longitudinal stiffness
b) Maintain the aerodynamic shape of the wing
c) Reduce fuel leakage
d) Carry engine thrust
Rationale: Ribs give the wing its airfoil shape and distribute
loads between spars.
4. Which of the following materials is most commonly used in
modern aircraft structures?
, a) Copper
b) Brass
c) Aluminum alloys
d) Lead
Rationale: Aluminum alloys provide excellent strength-to-weight
ratio and corrosion resistance.
5. What is the purpose of a bulkhead in aircraft construction?
a) Reduce drag
b) Store hydraulic lines
c) Provide structural separation and rigidity
d) Support landing gear
Rationale: Bulkheads divide the fuselage into sections and
maintain its shape under load.
6. Which type of rivet is commonly used in aircraft skin joints?
a) Flat rivet
b) Flush (countersunk) rivet
c) Round head rivet
d) Blind rivet
Rationale: Flush rivets maintain a smooth aerodynamic surface
and are standard in skin panels.
7. What is the advantage of using titanium in aircraft structures?
a) High density
b) Poor corrosion resistance
c) High strength-to-weight and heat resistance
d) Low fatigue life
Rationale: Titanium is strong, lightweight, and resistant to both
heat and corrosion.
8. Which fastener is removable and used where frequent
disassembly is needed?
, a) Solid rivet
b) Bolt and nut assembly
c) Cherry rivet
d) Spot weld
Rationale: Bolts allow easy removal and reassembly without
damaging components.
9. What is the primary cause of metal fatigue?
a) Corrosion
b) Overheating
c) Repeated cyclic loading
d) Improper lubrication
Rationale: Fatigue occurs from repeated stress cycles even
below the yield strength.
10. What is a doubler plate used for in structural repair?
a) Reduce vibration
b) Reinforce weakened areas
c) Adjust alignment
d) Decrease fuel weight
Rationale: Doublers strengthen damaged or stressed sections by
adding load-bearing material.
11. What does the term “fail-safe design” mean?
a) Component never fails
b) Backup structure carries load after primary failure
c) Lightest possible construction
d) Welded structure only
Rationale: Fail-safe ensures that if one member fails, others
prevent catastrophic collapse.
– General Topics with Answers and Rationales (2025
Edition)
1. What is the primary purpose of aircraft structural components?
a) Provide electrical grounding
b) Support aerodynamic loads and stresses
c) Supply fuel to engines
d) Store hydraulic fluid
Rationale: Structural components are designed to carry and
distribute loads generated during flight, landing, and ground
operations.
2. Which part of the aircraft carries the majority of bending loads
during flight?
a) Fuselage
b) Wing spar
c) Aileron
d) Rib
Rationale: Wing spars are the main load-carrying members that
resist bending and flexing caused by lift forces.
3. What is the main function of ribs in an aircraft wing?
a) Provide longitudinal stiffness
b) Maintain the aerodynamic shape of the wing
c) Reduce fuel leakage
d) Carry engine thrust
Rationale: Ribs give the wing its airfoil shape and distribute
loads between spars.
4. Which of the following materials is most commonly used in
modern aircraft structures?
, a) Copper
b) Brass
c) Aluminum alloys
d) Lead
Rationale: Aluminum alloys provide excellent strength-to-weight
ratio and corrosion resistance.
5. What is the purpose of a bulkhead in aircraft construction?
a) Reduce drag
b) Store hydraulic lines
c) Provide structural separation and rigidity
d) Support landing gear
Rationale: Bulkheads divide the fuselage into sections and
maintain its shape under load.
6. Which type of rivet is commonly used in aircraft skin joints?
a) Flat rivet
b) Flush (countersunk) rivet
c) Round head rivet
d) Blind rivet
Rationale: Flush rivets maintain a smooth aerodynamic surface
and are standard in skin panels.
7. What is the advantage of using titanium in aircraft structures?
a) High density
b) Poor corrosion resistance
c) High strength-to-weight and heat resistance
d) Low fatigue life
Rationale: Titanium is strong, lightweight, and resistant to both
heat and corrosion.
8. Which fastener is removable and used where frequent
disassembly is needed?
, a) Solid rivet
b) Bolt and nut assembly
c) Cherry rivet
d) Spot weld
Rationale: Bolts allow easy removal and reassembly without
damaging components.
9. What is the primary cause of metal fatigue?
a) Corrosion
b) Overheating
c) Repeated cyclic loading
d) Improper lubrication
Rationale: Fatigue occurs from repeated stress cycles even
below the yield strength.
10. What is a doubler plate used for in structural repair?
a) Reduce vibration
b) Reinforce weakened areas
c) Adjust alignment
d) Decrease fuel weight
Rationale: Doublers strengthen damaged or stressed sections by
adding load-bearing material.
11. What does the term “fail-safe design” mean?
a) Component never fails
b) Backup structure carries load after primary failure
c) Lightest possible construction
d) Welded structure only
Rationale: Fail-safe ensures that if one member fails, others
prevent catastrophic collapse.
