Definition
A certification issued by the FAA to a mechanic authorized to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on an aircraft's airframe (the structure of the aircraft) and powerplant (the engine and its associated systems). An A&P mechanic is qualified to inspect, repair, and return aircraft to service within the limits of their certificate.
Plain English
An A&P is an FAA-licensed aircraft mechanic who is qualified to work on both the body of the aircraft and the engine. When a pilot says "I'll have the A&P look at it," they mean the certified mechanic who maintains the airplane.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter this term in aircraft maintenance records, logbook entries, preflight discrepancy follow-up, and training material that discusses who may inspect or repair an aircraft.
Derivation
"Airframe" refers to the physical structure of the aircraft minus the engine — fuselage, wings, tail, and landing gear. "Powerplant" is an older industrial term for the engine and the systems that make it produce power. The two halves of the certificate reflect the two main areas a mechanic must be competent in to maintain an aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Only an A&P mechanic may perform many required inspections and repairs that keep an aircraft legal to fly.
Intuition Check
Do not read A&P as just “a mechanic.” In aviation, it means a specific FAA-certificated mechanic with both airframe and powerplant ratings.
Example Sentence 1
After the rough-running engine on landing, the pilot called the A&P to inspect the magnetos before the next flight.
Example Sentence 2
Without an A&P signature in the logbook, the aircraft could not be flown legally.