Definition
An FAA mechanic certification that authorizes the holder to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on aircraft structures (the airframe) and aircraft engines and propellers (the powerplant). The certificate may be issued with one or both ratings, and a mechanic with both is commonly referred to as an A&P.
Plain English
A formal qualification given by the FAA that allows a person to legally work on the body of an aircraft and on its engines. Someone who holds both ratings is called an A&P mechanic.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance records, mechanic certificates, logbook sign-offs, repair shop conversations, and pre-purchase or annual inspection discussions.
Derivation
Airframe refers to the structural body of the aircraft minus the engines. Powerplant refers to the engine and its directly associated systems — the term comes from older industrial usage where any complete engine installation that produced motive power was called a powerplant.
Why Pilots Care
Most maintenance on certified aircraft must be performed or supervised by someone holding this certificate, directly affecting airworthiness and safety.
Intuition Check
Do not read Airframe And Powerplant as meaning one single aircraft part. It means two mechanic rating areas: the aircraft structure and systems, plus the engine and power-producing systems.
Example Sentence 1
After the rough-running engine on landing, the owner had an A&P mechanic inspect the cylinders before the next flight.
Example Sentence 2
Many flight schools recommend that students understand the scope of an Airframe And Powerplant certificate before hiring maintenance help.