CCOG for AMT 120 Fall 2025


Course Number:
AMT 120
Course Title:
Propellers and Related Systems
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
0
Lecture/Lab Hours:
90
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Covers the Knowledge, Risk Management, and Skills required by the FAA in the Airman Certification Standards for Aviation Mechanics in the area of Propellers (III.M). Prerequisites: AMT 102, AMT 203, AMT 204, AMT 105, AMT 106, AMT 107. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

This course is part of a Program designed to meet some of the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for certification of Aviation Mechanics, and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Upon completion of the Program the student should be able to:

  1. Meet the applicable Degree and/or Certificate Outcomes identified in the document found at www.pcc.edu/degree-outcomes/amt as appropriate to coursework level completed.
  2. Successfully complete FAA Knowledge testing, as identified in the following documents, as appropriate:
    1. 14 CFR Part 65—Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers
    2. FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix
      (Currently available at www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/testing_matrix)
    3. FAA Order 8080.6H (or latest revision)—Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests
  3. Successfully complete FAA Oral and Practical (knowledge and skill) testing, as identified in the following documents, as appropriate:
    1. FAA-S-ACS-1 (or latest revision)—Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
      (Currently available at www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs)
    2. FAA-G-ACS-1 (or latest revision)—Companion Guide to the Aviation Mechanic ACS
    3. 14 CFR Part 65—Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to

  1. Meet the minimum knowledge, risk management, and skill standards required by the FAA in the Airman Certification Standards for Aviation Mechanics (FAA-S-ACS-1) applicable to the subjects identified in the Course Content section of this CCOG, below.
  2. Inspect propellers per FAA regulations and industry standards, by applicable visual and non-destructive methods.
  3. Analyze, identify, and troubleshoot malfunctions in propellers, propeller control, and auxiliary propeller systems.
  4. Perform servicing and/or routine maintenance of propellers and associated systems/components.
  5. Repair propellers and associated propeller systems, which may include component replacement and adjustment.
  6. Conduct operational checks on propellers to verify proper functioning in accordance with applicable data.

Course Activities and Design

Concepts, knowledge, and theory will be introduced through a variety of methods including lecture, discussions, and demonstration sessions, supported by written instructional materials. Supervised lab and shop projects will give participants the opportunity to receive guided instruction, engage in “hands-on” skill and proficiency development, and gain experience in the methods, techniques, and practices that are acceptable to the FAA and commonly utilized in the aerospace industry.
Courses are designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the testing required for FAA certification of Aviation Maintenance Technicians, as well as entry-level employment in the industry.

The assignment of four credit hours to this course indicates that students will be involved with the course content for approximately 120 hours. Class participants will be expected to invest time outside of the official scheduled class hours in their efforts to master the course content. For this course to be creditable toward the FAA-authorized Certificate of Completion, the total hours recorded for the course must not be less than 90% of the hours offered during the module (typically 90 hours). Material missed by students during allowed absence will be made available to them in one or more ways, as selected by the instructor. The student is responsible for checking with the instructor following any absence, and for accessing the missed material that is made available.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Evaluation methods include written and oral testing, attendance and class participation, and satisfactory completion of class projects. Evaluations and assessments will be conducted in accordance with guidelines published by the FAA (including, but not limited to, the documents identified in the Addendum to Course Description section of this CCOG), as well as applicable PCC policies and grading standards. A letter grade of “C” (minimum 76%) or higher is required for this course to be creditable toward the FAA-authorized Certificate of Completion.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

This course is designed to comply with FAA requirements for content including, but not limited to, those identified in the Addendum to Course Description section, and principally outlined in the Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-1). The following subject matter areas refer to that document.

III.M. – Propellers
  • Propeller theory and operation.
  • Types of Propellers and blade design.
  • Constant speed Propeller and governor theory and operation; pitch control and adjustment.
  • Turbine engine Propeller reverse/beta range operation.
  • Propeller servicing, maintenance, and inspection requirements.
  • Inspect, check, service, and repair Propeller synchronizing and ice control systems.
  • Identify and select Propeller lubricants.
  • Check Propeller balance.
  • Repair Propeller control system components.
  • Inspect, check, service, and repair fixed-pitch, constant-speed, and feathering Propeller, and Propeller governing systems.
  • Install, troubleshoot, and remove Propeller.
  • Repair aluminum alloy Propeller blades.
  • Inspect Propeller for condition and airworthiness.

Related Instruction

Computation
Hours: 10

1) Inspect Propellers per FAA regulations and industry standards, by applicable visual and non-destructive methods.

3) Repair Propellers and associated propeller systems, which may include component replacement and adjustment.

5) Conduct operational checks on Propellers to verify proper functioning in accordance with applicable data.

  1. Instruction on and student practice in measuring blade angles using a Propeller protractor.

  2. Plan and perform repairs of damaged Propeller blades by using the math formulas found in government and manufacturer’s publications, as applicable, and record the data; determine if the damage is within limits or not airworthy.

  3. Measure blade angles on fixed and variable pitch Propeller using Vernier and/or digital protractors; determine if within specifications or not airworthy.

Communication
Hours: 12

1) Inspect Propellers per FAA regulations and industry standards, by applicable visual and non-destructive methods.

2) Perform troubleshooting to analyze and identify malfunctions in Propellers, Propeller Control, and Auxiliary Propeller systems.

3) Perform servicing and/or routine maintenance of Propellers and associated systems/components.

4) Repair Propellers and associated propeller systems, which may include component replacement and adjustment.

5) Conduct operational checks on Propellers to verify proper functioning in accordance with applicable data.

  1. Instruction and skill development in reading, interpreting, and understanding the government regulations (laws) and advisory publications that affect the repair and alteration of Propeller.

  2. Use of aircraft manuals and parts catalogs in the process of performing maintenance, disassembling, and reassembling Propeller.

  3. Interpret the results of non-destructive inspection testing performed on propellers, and related components.

  4. Proper safety protocols and standards, including team communication, signals, etc., during engine run-ups.

Human Relations
Hours: 10

4) Repair Propellers and associated propeller systems, which may include component replacement and adjustment.

5) Conduct operational checks on Propellers to verify proper functioning in accordance with applicable data.

  1. Direct instruction, supervised student skill development, and lab practice on the teamwork, cooperation, and risk management associated with performing post-maintenance operational checks (“run-ups”), with a special emphasis on the human relations components of co-worker and/or customer safety.