# AA.III.C — Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) — Airline Transport Pilot Airplane ACS

> AA.III.C from FAA-S-ACS-11A, including the official objective, references, notes, and 26 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

Canonical HTML: [https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/airplane/airline-transport-pilot/aa-iii-c](https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/airplane/airline-transport-pilot/aa-iii-c)

Site reference: [https://www.check-ride.ai/llms.txt](https://www.check-ride.ai/llms.txt)

## Official Task context

- FAA document: Airline Transport Pilot and Type Rating for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards
- Identifier: FAA-S-ACS-11A
- Published source date: November 2023
- Aircraft category: Airplane
- Certificate or rating: Airline Transport Pilot
- Area of Operation: Area of Operation III. Takeoffs and Landings
- Task: Task C. Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
- Task code prefix: AA.III.C
- Official references: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
- FAA source library: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs

## Official Task objective

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with glassy water takeoff and climb.

## Knowledge elements

- **AA.III.C.K1** — Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
- **AA.III.C.K2** — Appropriate power settings and V-speeds for takeoff and climb.
- **AA.III.C.K3** — Appropriate airplane configuration.
- **AA.III.C.K4** — Appropriate use of glassy water takeoff and climb technique.

## Risk management elements

- **AA.III.C.R1** — Selection of the takeoff path based on aircraft limitations, available distance, surface conditions, and wind.
- **AA.III.C.R2** — Abnormal operations, including planning for:
- **AA.III.C.R2a** — a. Rejected takeoff
- **AA.III.C.R2b** — b. Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
- **AA.III.C.R3** — Collision hazards.
- **AA.III.C.R4** — Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- **AA.III.C.R5** — Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- **AA.III.C.R6** — Gear position in an amphibious airplane.

## Skills elements

- **AA.III.C.S1** — Coordinate with crew, if applicable, and complete the appropriate checklist(s) prior to takeoff in a timely manner.
- **AA.III.C.S2** — Make radio calls as appropriate.
- **AA.III.C.S3** — Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
- **AA.III.C.S4** — Verify the airplane is configured for takeoff.
- **AA.III.C.S5** — Clear the area; select appropriate takeoff path considering surface conditions and collision hazards.
- **AA.III.C.S6** — Retract the water rudders, as appropriate.
- **AA.III.C.S7** — Set and confirm takeoff power.
- **AA.III.C.S8** — Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s).
- **AA.III.C.S9** — Maintain directional control throughout takeoff and climb.
- **AA.III.C.S10** — Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correct for porpoising, skipping, and increase in water drag.
- **AA.III.C.S11** — Utilize appropriate techniques to lift seaplane from the water considering surface conditions.
- **AA.III.C.S12** — Adjust power, as appropriate, and establish a pitch attitude to maintain the appropriate climb airspeed/V-speed, ±5 knots for each climb segment.
- **AA.III.C.S13** — Retract flaps after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with manufacturer or operator procedures and limitations, as appropriate.
- **AA.III.C.S14** — Follow noise abatement procedures, as practicable.

## Difficulty methodology

Difficulty calibration is ongoing for this Task. Observed difficulty is a privacy-thresholded check-ride.ai mock-oral practice proxy, not an FAA practical-test pass or fail rate. Underlying sample sizes and the private reporting threshold are not published.

## Official Task notes

- If a glassy water condition does not exist, the applicant must be evaluated by simulating the Task.
- See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.

## Use in practice

A mock examiner can ask a pilot to explain the published elements, apply them to the configured aircraft and airport context, identify risks, and defend a decision. Practice prompts are not represented as actual FAA examiner scripts or predictions of the questions a candidate will receive.