FAA-S-ACS-6 (Change 1) U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot ‒ Airplane Airman Certification Standards June 2016 Flight Standards Service Washington, DC 20591 Acknowledgments The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630 (P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125), developed this Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document with the assistance of the aviation community. The FAA gratefully acknowledges the valuable support from the many individuals and organizations who contributed their time and expertise to assist in this endeavor. Availability This ACS is available for download from www.faa.gov. Please send comments regarding this document to [email protected]. Material in FAA-S-ACS-6 will be effective June 15, 2016. All previous editions of the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane (FAA-S-8081-14) will be obsolete as of this date for Airplane applicants. ii Foreword The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published the Private Pilot – Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document to communicate the aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and flight proficiency standards for the private pilot certification in the airplane category, single-engine land and sea; and multiengine land and sea classes. This ACS incorporates and supersedes the previous Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane, FAA-S-8081-14. The FAA views the ACS as the foundation of its transition to a more integrated and systematic approach to airman certification. The ACS is part of the safety management system (SMS) framework that the FAA uses to mitigate risks associated with airman certification training and testing. Specifically, the ACS, associated guidance, and test question components of the airman certification system are constructed around the four functional components of an SMS: • Safety Policy that defines and describes aeronautical knowledge, flight proficiency, and risk management as integrated components of the airman certification system; • Safety Risk Management processes through which internal and external stakeholders identify and evaluate regulatory changes, safety recommendations and other factors that require modification of airman testing and training materials; • Safety Assurance processes to ensure the prompt and appropriate incorporation of changes arising from new regulations and safety recommendations; and • Safety Promotion in the form of ongoing engagement with both external stakeholders (e.g., the aviation training industry) and FAA policy divisions. The FAA has developed this ACS and its associated guidance in collaboration with a diverse group of aviation training experts. The goal is to drive a systematic approach to all components of the airman certification system, including knowledge test question development and conduct of the practical test. The FAA acknowledges and appreciates the many hours that these aviation experts have contributed toward this goal. This level of collaboration, a hallmark of a robust safety culture, strengthens and enhances aviation safety at every level of the airman certification system. John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service iii Revision History Document# Description Revision Date Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane, FAA-S-8081-14B November 2011 (Changes 1-6) Private Pilot – Airplane Airman Certification FAA-S-ACS-6 June 1, 2016 Standards Private Pilot – Airplane Airman Certification FAA-S-ACS-6 June 15, 2016 Standards (Change 1) iv Record of Changes Change 1 – June 15, 2016 • Corrected grammar and punctuation errors and capitalization inconsistencies throughout the document. • Removed sub-elements a through o from PA.I.F.K1 (page 11), as they restricted the testability of the Task. • Updated Appendix 9: References to include items missing from the previous version and remove items not in use (page A-23). • Updated Appendix 10: Abbreviations and Acronyms to include items missing from the previous version (pages A-24 through A-27). v This page intentionally left blank. vi Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Airman Certification Standards Concept ................................................................................................................. 1 Using the ACS ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 I. Preflight Preparation ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Task A. Pilot Qualifications .................................................................................................................................. 4 Task B. Airworthiness Requirements ................................................................................................................... 5 Task C. Weather Information ............................................................................................................................... 6 Task D. Cross-Country Flight Planning ................................................................................................................ 8 Task E. National Airspace System ..................................................................................................................... 10 Task F. Performance and Limitations ................................................................................................................ 11 Task G. Operation of Systems ........................................................................................................................... 12 Task H. Human Factors ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Task I. Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES) ..................................................................................................................... 14 Task J. Principles of Flight – Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES) ..................................................................... 15 II. Preflight Procedures ........................................................................................................................................... 16 Task A. Preflight Assessment ............................................................................................................................ 16 Task B. Cockpit Management ............................................................................................................................ 17 Task C. Engine Starting ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Task D. Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL) .......................................................................................................................... 19 Task E. Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES) ...................................................................................................... 20 Task F. Before Takeoff Check ........................................................................................................................... 22 III. Airport and Seaplane Base Operations ............................................................................................................. 23 Task A. Communications and Light Gun Signals .............................................................................................. 23 Task B. Traffic Patterns ...................................................................................................................................... 24 IV. Takeoffs, Landing and Go-Arounds ................................................................................................................... 25 Task A. Normal Takeoff and Climb .................................................................................................................... 25 Task B. Normal Approach and Landing ............................................................................................................. 27 Task C. Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL) ................................................................................................... 29 Task D. Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL) ............................................................................................ 31 Task E. Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASEL, AMEL) ............................................... 33 Task F. Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL) ............................................................................... 35 Task G. Confined Area Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASES, AMES) ........................................ 37 Task H. Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) ........................................................................ 39 Task I. Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) .................................................................................. 41 Task J. Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES) .......................................................................... 42 Task K. Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES,