# AI.IX.F — Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES) — Flight Instructor Airplane ACS

> AI.IX.F from FAA-S-ACS-25, including the official objective, references, notes, and 22 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

Canonical HTML: [https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/airplane/flight-instructor/ai-ix-f](https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/airplane/flight-instructor/ai-ix-f)

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

## Official Task context

- FAA document: Flight Instructor for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards
- Identifier: FAA-S-ACS-25
- Published source date: November 2023
- Aircraft category: Airplane
- Certificate or rating: Flight Instructor
- Area of Operation: Area of Operation IX. Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers
- Task: Task F. Eights on Pylons (ASEL, ASES)
- Task code prefix: AI.IX.F
- Official references: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
- FAA source library: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs

## Official Task objective

To determine the applicant understands eights on pylons, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

## Knowledge elements

- **AI.IX.F.K1** — Purpose of and procedures for eights on pylons.
- **AI.IX.F.K2** — Aerodynamics associated with the eights on pylons, including coordinated and uncoordinated flight.
- **AI.IX.F.K3** — Pivotal altitude and factors that affect it.
- **AI.IX.F.K4** — Effect of wind on ground track.
- **AI.IX.F.K5** — Phases of the eights on pylons maneuver from entry to recovery.
- **AI.IX.F.K6** — Common errors related to this Task.

## Risk management elements

- **AI.IX.F.R1** — Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
- **AI.IX.F.R2** — Collision hazards.
- **AI.IX.F.R3** — Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- **AI.IX.F.R4** — Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- **AI.IX.F.R5** — Uncoordinated flight.
- **AI.IX.F.R6** — Energy management.
- **AI.IX.F.R7** — Emergency landing considerations.

## Skills elements

- **AI.IX.F.S1** — Clear the area.
- **AI.IX.F.S2** — Determine the approximate pivotal altitude.
- **AI.IX.F.S3** — Select suitable pylons that permits straight-and-level flight between the pylons.
- **AI.IX.F.S4** — Enter the maneuver in the correct direction and position using an appropriate altitude and airspeed.
- **AI.IX.F.S5** — Establish the correct bank angle for the conditions, not to exceed 40°.
- **AI.IX.F.S6** — Apply smooth and continuous corrections so that the line-of-sight reference line remains on the pylon.
- **AI.IX.F.S7** — Divide attention between accurate, coordinated airplane control and outside visual references.
- **AI.IX.F.S8** — Maintain pylon position using appropriate pivotal altitude, avoiding slips and skids.
- **AI.IX.F.S9** — Analyze and correct common errors related to this Task.

## 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.

## 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.