CA.IV.K — Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)

CA.IV.K for the Commercial Pilot Airplane ACS: official objective, references, and 33 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

FAA-S-ACS-7B, November 2023. This study page does not replace the current FAA publication or an examiner's plan of action.

Official task context

CA.IV.K official ACS context
Certificate or ratingCommercial Pilot
Aircraft categoryAirplane
Area of operationArea of Operation IV. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
TaskTask K. Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
Task code prefixCA.IV.K
Official referencesAIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
FAA documentFAA-S-ACS-7B — Commercial Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards
FAA source libraryOpen the official ACS library

Official task objective

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

What the ACS code means

  • CA identifies the ACS standard family used for this Commercial Pilot Airplane document.
  • IV identifies Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds, the Area of Operation.
  • K identifies Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES), the Task within that Area.
  • K, R, and S identify knowledge, risk-management, and skill elements. The number selects the item; a trailing lowercase letter identifies a listed sub-element.

Knowledge elements

Official ACS knowledge items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
CA.IV.K.K1Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
CA.IV.K.K2Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
CA.IV.K.K3Appropriate airplane configuration.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
CA.IV.K.K4Appropriate use of rough water takeoff and climb technique.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.

Risk management elements

Official ACS risk management items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
CA.IV.K.R1Selection of takeoff path based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R2Effects of:Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R2aa. CrosswindWork through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R2bb. WindshearWork through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R2cc. TailwindWork through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R2dd. Wake turbulenceWork through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R2ee. Water surface/conditionWork through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R3Abnormal operations, including planning for:Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R3aa. Rejected takeoffWork through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R3bb. Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flightWork through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R4Collision hazards.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R5Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R6Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
CA.IV.K.R7Gear position in an amphibious airplane.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.

Skills elements

Official ACS skills items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
CA.IV.K.S1Complete the appropriate checklist(s).Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S2Make radio calls as appropriate.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S3Verify assigned/correct takeoff path.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S4Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S5Position flight controls and configure the airplane for the existing conditions.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S6Clear the area, select an appropriate takeoff path considering wind, swells, surface hazards, or vessels.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S6aa. Retract the water rudders, as appropriateDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S6bb. Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotationDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S7[Archived]Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S8Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correct for porpoising, skipping, and increase in water drag.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S9Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s).Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S10Lift off at minimum airspeed and accelerate to VY ±5 knots before leaving ground effect.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S11Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S12Maintain VY ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
CA.IV.K.S13Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.

Difficulty data

Difficulty calibration is ongoing for this Task. A difficulty estimate is published only with a sufficiently large, privacy-preserving first directly recorded assessment sample. Any observed difficulty comes from Checkride AI mock-oral practice assessments and is a practice-data proxy, not an FAA practical-test pass or fail rate.

Difficulty calibration remains ongoing until an item clears the private reporting threshold. Percentages, when available, describe the share who needed review on their first directly recorded assessment. Underlying sample sizes are never published, and historical final states are not backfilled into this measure.

Official task notes

  • If a rough water condition does not exist, the applicant must be evaluated by simulating the Task.

How to use this in a mock oral

A mock examiner can ask you to explain the published elements, apply them to the configured aircraft and airport scenario, identify risks, and defend a decision. The prompts are practice scenarios; they are not claimed to be actual FAA examiner scripts or a prediction of the questions you will receive.

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