# AI.VII.K — Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES) — Flight Instructor Airplane ACS

> AI.VII.K from FAA-S-ACS-25, including the official objective, references, notes, and 35 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

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

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 VII. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
- Task: Task K. Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
- Task code prefix: AI.VII.K
- Official references: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-9, 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 understands rough water takeoff and climb, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

## Knowledge elements

- **AI.VII.K.K1** — Purpose of and procedures for a rough water takeoff and climb.
- **AI.VII.K.K2** — Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
- **AI.VII.K.K3** — Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
- **AI.VII.K.K4** — Appropriate airplane configuration.
- **AI.VII.K.K5** — Appropriate use of rough water takeoff and climb technique.
- **AI.VII.K.K6** — Common errors related to this Task.

## Risk management elements

- **AI.VII.K.R1** — Selection of takeoff path based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
- **AI.VII.K.R2** — Effects of:
- **AI.VII.K.R2a** — a. Crosswind
- **AI.VII.K.R2b** — b. Windshear
- **AI.VII.K.R2c** — c. Tailwind
- **AI.VII.K.R2d** — d. Wake turbulence
- **AI.VII.K.R2e** — e. Water surface/condition
- **AI.VII.K.R3** — Abnormal operations, including planning for:
- **AI.VII.K.R3a** — a. Rejected takeoff
- **AI.VII.K.R3b** — b. Potential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
- **AI.VII.K.R4** — Collision hazards.
- **AI.VII.K.R5** — Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- **AI.VII.K.R6** — Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- **AI.VII.K.R7** — Gear position in an amphibious airplane.

## Skills elements

- **AI.VII.K.S1** — Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- **AI.VII.K.S2** — Make radio calls as appropriate.
- **AI.VII.K.S3** — Verify assigned/correct takeoff path.
- **AI.VII.K.S4** — Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
- **AI.VII.K.S5** — Position flight controls and configure the airplane for the existing conditions.
- **AI.VII.K.S6** — Clear the area, select an appropriate takeoff path considering wind, swells, surface hazards, or vessels.
- **AI.VII.K.S7** — Retract the water rudders, as appropriate.
- **AI.VII.K.S8** — Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
- **AI.VII.K.S9** — Establish and maintain an appropriate planing attitude, directional control, and correct for porpoising, skipping, and increase in water drag.
- **AI.VII.K.S10** — Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s).
- **AI.VII.K.S11** — Lift off at minimum airspeed and accelerate to VY ±5 knots before leaving ground effect.
- **AI.VII.K.S12** — Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb has been verified or in accordance with airplane manufacturer’s instructions.
- **AI.VII.K.S13** — Maintain VY ±5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
- **AI.VII.K.S14** — Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
- **AI.VII.K.S15** — 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.

## Official Task notes

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