Does my FAA A&P certificate authorize me to work on any aircraft?

Your A&P certificate authorizes you to perform and certify maintenance within the scope of your ratings on any type-certificated civil aircraft — provided you are familiar with the methods, techniques, and practices applicable to the specific work under 14 CFR §65.81. Familiarity is your responsibility; if you have not worked on a specific type, you should be trained before performing work. Employers and repair stations typically enforce type training through their training programs and documentation systems.

Is there an FAA registry of mechanic type training?

No. Unlike pilot type ratings, which appear on the pilot certificate and in the FAA Airmen Inquiry system, mechanic type training certificates are maintained by the employer, training provider, or the mechanic's personal records — not by the FAA. When applying for jobs, mechanics typically present type training certificates or letters from previous employers documenting type experience.

How long does a type training course typically take?

Duration varies by aircraft complexity, course format, and provider. A basic systems familiarization course for a narrow-body transport may run 3–5 days of CBT plus classroom instruction. A full maintenance type course including practical tasks can run 2–4 weeks. Some airlines or MROs run initial hire training programs of 4–8 weeks that combine type training with their own procedures and compliance requirements. Verify duration and content with the specific provider.

I have an A&P certificate. Should I pursue type training before or after the IA?

The answer depends on your career goals. If you work in general aviation and aspire to perform annual inspections, the IA is the clear priority. If you want to work at an airline or major MRO, type training on commercial aircraft is typically more valuable than the IA — commercial operators do not use IAs for their maintenance approvals. Many mechanics pursue both at different stages: type training while employed at a commercial operator, and the IA later if they shift toward general aviation.

Aircraft Type Ratings for A&P Mechanics

In aviation maintenance, the term 'type rating' is often used informally to describe manufacturer or operator-approved training on a specific aircraft type — for example, Airbus A320, Boeing 737NG, or Boeing 787. For mechanics, this is distinct from the FAA pilot type rating system. Understanding what type training actually means for A&P mechanics, how it is acquired, and why it is increasingly important for airline and MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) employment will help you plan the post-certificate phase of your career.

Type Ratings for Mechanics vs. Pilots: An Important Clarification

Pilot type ratings are FAA certificates required to act as pilot in command of certain aircraft — they are issued by the FAA and appear on the pilot's certificate. For mechanics, there is no equivalent FAA-issued type rating certificate. The FAA A&P certificate authorizes you to maintain and certify work on any type-certificated civil aircraft within the scope of your ratings, provided you are familiar with the methods, techniques, and practices applicable to that aircraft. The 'type training' or 'type rating' that employers and MRO providers refer to is manufacturer-approved or airline-approved training on a specific aircraft model — it is a training qualification, not an FAA certificate. This distinction matters: your FAA A&P remains the legal authorization; the type training is the employer's evidence that you are qualified to work on a specific fleet.

How Type Training Works for Mechanics

Manufacturer type training programs (such as Airbus Training, Boeing Global Services training, or CFM training for the LEAP engine) are multi-day to multi-week courses covering aircraft systems, maintenance procedures, troubleshooting, and the use of the manufacturer's maintenance manuals and Component Maintenance Manuals (CMMs). Course completion is documented by a training certificate or training record from the manufacturer or an authorized training provider. Airlines and Part-145 MRO shops maintain their own internal training programs on their specific fleets, which may go beyond the manufacturer's baseline training. Many employers will provide type training to newly hired mechanics — the expectation is that you hold an A&P certificate and can be trained on the specific fleet, not that you arrive pre-trained. However, having prior type training on a common commercial type can significantly accelerate hiring.

Major Transport Types: A320, 737NG/MAX, and 787

The three commercial transport types that appear most frequently in airline and MRO job postings are the Airbus A320 family (A318, A319, A320, A321 — narrow-body workhorse of most global carriers), the Boeing 737NG and 737 MAX (the world's most-produced commercial aircraft — 737-600/700/800/900NG and the 737 MAX 7/8/9/10), and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (wide-body, all-composite fuselage, GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines). Type training on these platforms is offered by manufacturer training centers, Part-147 schools with commercial partnerships, and some online/CBT (computer-based training) programs combined with practical components. Other significant commercial types include the Airbus A330, A350, and Boeing 777. On the regional side, Bombardier CRJ and Embraer E-jet training is in demand at regional carriers.

Why Type Training Matters for Career Advancement

Airlines, MRO shops, and charter operators that operate specific fleets need mechanics who can legally work on and certify that fleet. While an A&P certificate is the legal baseline, an employer hiring for line maintenance on an A320 fleet needs confidence that you can safely work on that aircraft on day one (or day 10 of training, not day 60). Mechanics with documented type training on high-demand commercial types often command higher starting wages, have shorter new-hire training periods, and are more competitive in a tight hiring market. For mechanics pursuing an Inspection Authorization (IA), general aviation type familiarity (Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Cirrus) matters more than transport type training. Type training also supports the post-certification retention that makes advanced certifications like the IA more valuable — see the IA guide for how continued engagement with specific aircraft types supports IA renewal.

Porting Type-Rating Knowledge from EASA to FAA Context

Mechanics who have trained on commercial types in an EASA context (Part-66 Modules, type endorsements) will find that much of the technical knowledge is directly applicable — aircraft systems do not change depending on which regulatory authority certifies you. The differences are regulatory: in EASA, type ratings for mechanics are formal endorsements on the Part-66 license issued by the national authority; in the FAA system, there is no equivalent formal endorsement. A mechanic with EASA A320 or 737 type training applying for an FAA A&P position should clearly document their training history — employers and MROs recognize the training value even without an FAA equivalent certificate. AMTprep's type-rating quiz content (available at the IA/Pro tier) draws on jurisdiction-neutral technical questions covering major transport types — a useful supplement to formal type training.

How to Acquire Type Training as a Newly Certificated A&P

Newly certificated mechanics typically acquire type training through their employer's onboarding program. If you want to enter the job market with pre-existing type familiarity, options include: manufacturer-authorized type training courses (expensive but recognized globally); Part-147 schools with commercial airline partnerships that include type-specific modules; and community college aviation programs that incorporate commercial type coursework. Online computer-based training (CBT) modules are available for some types and can supplement hands-on training but rarely substitute for it — most employers require a practical component. Budget and access to the actual aircraft for hands-on tasks are the practical limiting factors for pre-employment type training. Starting your career at a general aviation shop or Part-145 repair station that works on commercial types is often the most accessible route to documented type experience.

Frequently asked questions

Does my FAA A&P certificate authorize me to work on any aircraft?: Your A&P certificate authorizes you to perform and certify maintenance within the scope of your ratings on any type-certificated civil aircraft — provided you are familiar with the methods, techniques, and practices applicable to the specific work under 14 CFR §65.81. Familiarity is your responsibility; if you have not worked on a specific type, you should be trained before performing work. Employers and repair stations typically enforce type training through their training programs and documentation systems.
Is there an FAA registry of mechanic type training?: No. Unlike pilot type ratings, which appear on the pilot certificate and in the FAA Airmen Inquiry system, mechanic type training certificates are maintained by the employer, training provider, or the mechanic's personal records — not by the FAA. When applying for jobs, mechanics typically present type training certificates or letters from previous employers documenting type experience.
How long does a type training course typically take?: Duration varies by aircraft complexity, course format, and provider. A basic systems familiarization course for a narrow-body transport may run 3–5 days of CBT plus classroom instruction. A full maintenance type course including practical tasks can run 2–4 weeks. Some airlines or MROs run initial hire training programs of 4–8 weeks that combine type training with their own procedures and compliance requirements. Verify duration and content with the specific provider.
I have an A&P certificate. Should I pursue type training before or after the IA?: The answer depends on your career goals. If you work in general aviation and aspire to perform annual inspections, the IA is the clear priority. If you want to work at an airline or major MRO, type training on commercial aircraft is typically more valuable than the IA — commercial operators do not use IAs for their maintenance approvals. Many mechanics pursue both at different stages: type training while employed at a commercial operator, and the IA later if they shift toward general aviation.

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