30-Day AME Exam Prep Checklist

A day-by-day study plan to prepare for your Transport Canada Aircraft Maintenance Engineer exams. Print it, check it, pass it.

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Passing the Transport Canada AME exams requires more than just reading the regulations. You need a structured plan that covers every domain, tests your knowledge under exam conditions, and helps you identify weak areas before test day.

This 30-day checklist is built around the TP14038E syllabus and covers CARs, Standards 571, ATA chapters, and full-length exam simulations. Whether you are pursuing Licence M (Airframe & Powerplant), E (Electronics), or S (Structures), this plan provides the foundation you need. Use it alongside Sky Licence for daily practice questions, AI Tutor explanations, and progress tracking.

Not sure which licence is right for you? Read our M vs E vs S licence comparison. Need a refresher on key terms? Check the aviation maintenance glossary.

The Four-Week Structure

Week 1: Assessment & Foundation — Review the TP14038E syllabus, take a diagnostic quiz, identify your weak areas, and build a solid CARs regulatory foundation.
Week 2: Deep Study — Dive into Standards 571, ATA chapters, and the technical domains that form the core of your licence stream.
Week 3: Practice Mode — Shift from passive reading to active recall with daily quizzes, AI Tutor sessions, and timed practice exams at mixed difficulty levels.
Week 4: Exam Simulation — Take full-length, timed exam simulations, review every wrong answer, target weak areas, and arrive on exam day fully prepared.

Week 1: Assessment & Foundation

Review the syllabus, take a diagnostic quiz, and identify weak areas.

Download & Review the TP14038E Syllabus

☐Download the official TP14038E syllabus from Transport Canada's website.
☐Read through all five domain outlines: CARs, Standards, Airframe, Powerplant, Electrical.
☐Highlight unfamiliar topics for focused study later.

Take a Full Diagnostic Quiz

☐Log in to Sky Licence and take one full diagnostic quiz spanning all domains.
☐Record your scores per domain to identify weak areas.
☐Review every wrong answer and read the provided explanations.

Organize Your Study Materials

☐Gather your references: CARs (current edition), Standard 571, AC43.13-1B, AMM samples.
☐Bookmark the Sky Licence AI Tutor and question bank for daily access.
☐Set up a study tracker — print or save this checklist to mark progress.

CARs Foundations — Parts I & II

☐Read CARs Part I (General Provisions) — definitions, applicability, and interpretation.
☐Read CARs Part II (Aircraft Identification, Registration, and Leasing) — key registration rules.
☐Take the CARs mini-quiz on Sky Licence (15 questions, timed).

CARs Part V — Airworthiness

☐Study CAR 501 (Applicability), CAR 503 (Type Certificates), and CAR 507 (Approved Maintenance Organizations).
☐Focus on AMO certification requirements and the role of the AME.
☐Complete 20 CARs Part V practice questions.

CARs Part VI & VII — Flight & Commercial Air Services

☐Study CAR 601 (Operating and Flight Rules) and CAR 604 (Air Operator Maintenance).
☐Understand the relationship between the AME, the AMO, and air operators under CAR 706.
☐Take a mixed 25-question CARs quiz across Parts I, II, V, VI.

Week 1 Review & Weak Area Deep Dive

☐Revisit your diagnostic scores from Day 2 — which domains need the most work?
☐Spend 2 hours on your weakest CARs topic from this week.
☐Take a 30-question CARs progress quiz and aim for 70%+.

Week 2: Deep Study

Focus on CARs, Standard 571, and ATA chapters.

Standard 571 — Aircraft Maintenance & Repair

☐Read Standard 571.01–571.03 — applicability, maintenance schedules, and standards.
☐Understand the difference between scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
☐Complete 20 Standards practice questions on Sky Licence.

Standard 571 — Repairs & Alterations

☐Study 571.06 (Repairs) and 571.07 (Alterations) — approved data requirements.
☐Learn the classification of repairs (minor vs. major) and 571.08 reporting.
☐Take a 15-question quiz focused on repair classifications.

ATA Chapter 20 — Standard Practices (Airframe)

☐Review ATA Chapter 20 — standard shop practices: torque, safety wiring, fasteners.
☐Practice interpreting aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) procedures.
☐Complete 20 ATA 20–related practice questions.

ATA Chapters 24 & 25 — Electrical & Avionics

☐Study ATA 24 (Electrical Power) — generators, alternators, batteries, distribution.
☐Study ATA 25 (Equipment & Furnishings) — emergency equipment, cockpit layout.
☐Take a mixed 20-question quiz on electrical/avionics fundamentals.

ATA Chapters 27 & 28 — Flight Controls & Fuel

☐Review ATA 27 (Flight Controls) — primary and secondary control systems.
☐Study ATA 28 (Fuel Systems) — fuel storage, distribution, and venting.
☐Complete 20 questions on flight controls and fuel systems.

ATA Chapters 32, 33, 34 — Landing Gear, Lights, Navigation

☐Study ATA 32 (Landing Gear) — retraction systems, brakes, tires, steering.
☐Study ATA 33 (Lights) and ATA 34 (Navigation) — position lights, landing lights, pitot-static.
☐Take a 25-question mixed quiz on ATA 32–34 topics.

Week 2 Review — Mixed Domain Quiz

☐Take a 50-question mixed exam covering CARs, Standards 571, and ATA chapters.
☐Review all wrong answers in detail — write notes on misunderstood concepts.
☐Identify your three weakest subtopics and plan extra study for next week.

Week 3: Practice Mode

Daily quizzes, AI Tutor, and mixed difficulty practice.

Daily Quiz Mode — 30 Questions

☐Set Sky Licence to Quiz Mode: 30 questions, mixed difficulty, no time limit.
☐Focus on your three weakest subtopics identified on Day 14.
☐Use the AI Tutor to explain every question you get wrong.

AI Tutor Session — Powerplant Focus

☐Open the Sky Licence AI Tutor and ask for explanations on powerplant topics.
☐Cover: reciprocating engine theory, ignition systems, fuel metering, and lubrication.
☐Ask the AI Tutor to generate 10 custom practice questions on weak areas.

Timed Quiz — 40 Questions in 45 Minutes

☐Set Sky Licence to Timed Mode: 40 questions, 45-minute timer.
☐Simulate real exam pressure — no phone, no notes, no interruptions.
☐Review results immediately. Flag any questions you guessed on for follow-up.

Airframe Structures — ATA 51–57

☐Study ATA 51 (Structures) and ATA 52 (Doors) — basic structural principles.
☐Review ATA 53–57 (Fuselage, Nacelles, Stabilizers, Windows, Wings) — primary airframe components.
☐Complete 25 airframe structures practice questions.

Powerplant Systems — ATA 71–80

☐Study ATA 71 (Powerplant) — engine installation, cowling, mounts.
☐Review ATA 72–75 (Engine) — reciprocating and turbine engine fundamentals.
☐Complete 25 powerplant practice questions.

Mixed Difficulty Challenge

☐Set Sky Licence to HARD difficulty. Take 20 questions.
☐Review each answer — wrong or right — using the AI Tutor for deeper understanding.
☐Spend 30 minutes re-reading your notes from Weeks 1–2 on topics you still find difficult.

Week 3 Review — 60-Question Progress Exam

☐Take a 60-question progress exam covering all domains studied so far.
☐Score analysis: compare against your Week 1 diagnostic.
☐Celebrate improvements and list 5 topics for last-week reinforcement.

Week 4: Exam Simulation

Full-length timed exams, review wrong answers, final preparation.

Simulation 1 — CARs Exam

☐Take the CARs simulation: full length, timed, no interruptions.
☐Simulate real exam conditions — arrive at the same time as your actual exam.
☐Score yourself and review all wrong answers in detail.

Simulation 2 — Standards Exam

☐Take the Standards 571 simulation: full length, timed.
☐Focus on Standard 571.06 (Repairs) and 571.07 (Alterations) questions.
☐Log every question you answered incorrectly and categorize by subtopic.

Weak Area Remediation

☐Review your categorized error log from Simulations 1 & 2.
☐Spend 3 hours on your top 3 weakest subtopics using AI Tutor and reference materials.
☐Take a 20-question targeted quiz on each weak subtopic until you score 80%+.

Simulation 3 — Airframe Exam

☐Take the Airframe simulation: full length, timed.
☐Cover all 12 airframe chapters: structures, hydraulics, landing gear, flight controls.
☐Score and log errors, especially on ATA 32 (Landing Gear) and ATA 27 (Flight Controls).

Simulation 4 — Powerplant Exam

☐Take the Powerplant simulation: full length, timed.
☐Cover all 12 powerplant chapters: reciprocating, turbine, propellers, fuel, ignition.
☐Compare your score against Simulation 3 — which technical domain needs more work?

Final Review — Regulations & References

☐Re-read your notes on CARs Parts I, II, V, VI, VII — focus on areas where you lost points.
☐Review Standard 571.06–571.08 classifications one more time.
☐Take a final 30-question mixed regulatory quiz. Score target: 85%+.

Final Review — Technical Domains

☐Quick-scan all ATA chapters you studied: 20, 24, 25, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34, 51–57, 71–80.
☐Review the 10 most common question types you encountered.
☐Final 30-question mixed technical quiz. Score target: 85%+.

Rest & Light Review

☐NO new content. Light review only — skim notes, revisit your strongest topics.
☐Prepare your exam materials: ID, exam confirmation, calculator, watch.
☐Go to bed early. Aim for 8 hours of sleep.

Exam Day!

☐Eat a good breakfast. Arrive 30 minutes early.
☐Trust your preparation — you have put in the work.
☐Read each question carefully. Manage your time. You have trained for this.

💡 Tips for Maximizing This Checklist

1.Consistency over intensity: Studying 2 hours every day is vastly more effective than cramming 8 hours on weekends.
2.Active recall beats re-reading: Every time you read a chapter, follow it with practice questions.
3.Track your weak areas: After every quiz, log the topics you got wrong. Spend the next day reviewing them.
4.Simulate real exam conditions: In Week 4, take simulations in a quiet room with no phone, no notes, and a strict timer.
5.Use the Sky Licence AI Tutor: When a concept doesn't click, ask the AI Tutor to explain it in plain language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 30-day AME exam prep checklist really enough to pass?▼

The 30-day checklist is designed for focused, intensive preparation. It works best for candidates who already have foundational knowledge from an approved training program (e.g., Sault College, BCIT, NAIT, Canadore). If you are starting from zero, consider combining this plan with an 8-12 week study timeline using the Sky Licence adaptive platform to build baseline knowledge before the 30-day sprint.

Which AME licence does this checklist cover?▼

This checklist covers the common core of all three licence categories — CARs, Standards, and general aircraft maintenance knowledge from the TP14038E syllabus. Licence M (Airframe & Powerplant), E (Electronics), and S (Structures) candidates can all use this plan. Supplement it with category-specific practice questions from Sky Licence for your licence stream.

How many hours per day should I study?▼

Most candidates should plan for 2–4 hours of focused study per day. Some days in Weeks 1 and 2 may require 3–4 hours for deep reading, while Weeks 3 and 4 focus more on active practice (quizzes and simulations). Consistency matters more than cramming — study every day, even if only for 90 minutes.

Can I print the checklist?▼

Yes! The print view uses a clean white background with black text for easy reading and checkmark tracking. You can also download the free PDF by entering your email in the signup form at the top or bottom of this page.

What if I miss a day?▼

Don't panic. The 30-day plan is a guide, not a rigid requirement. If you fall behind, combine lighter days or extend the plan by a few days. The key is to maintain momentum — completing Weeks 3 and 4 (practice mode and exam simulations) is critical for exam readiness. Use the Sky Licence AI Tutor to catch up on missed topics quickly.

Does this checklist include the TP14038E syllabus?▼

Absolutely. The plan is built around the Transport Canada TP14038E syllabus, which defines all learning objectives for the five core AME exams: CARs, Standards, Airframe, Powerplant, and Electrical. Each day references specific syllabus areas. For a complete breakdown of the syllabus domains, read our TP14038E syllabus guide.

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