# AI.X.A — Maneuvering During Slow Flight — Flight Instructor Airplane ACS

> AI.X.A from FAA-S-ACS-25, including the official objective, references, notes, and 15 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

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

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 X. Slow flight, Stalls, and Spins
- Task: Task A. Maneuvering During Slow Flight
- Task code prefix: AI.X.A
- Official references: AC 61-67; 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 maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

## Knowledge elements

- **AI.X.A.K1** — Purpose of and procedures for proper slow flight.
- **AI.X.A.K2** — Aerodynamics associated with slow flight in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
- **AI.X.A.K3** — Common errors related to this Task.

## Risk management elements

- **AI.X.A.R1** — Inadvertent slow flight and flight with a stall warning, which could lead to loss of control.
- **AI.X.A.R2** — Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
- **AI.X.A.R3** — Uncoordinated flight.
- **AI.X.A.R4** — Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
- **AI.X.A.R5** — Collision hazards.
- **AI.X.A.R6** — Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

## Skills elements

- **AI.X.A.S1** — Clear the area.
- **AI.X.A.S2** — Select an entry altitude that allows the Task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL) (ASEL, ASES) or 3,000 feet AGL (AMEL, AMES).
- **AI.X.A.S3** — Establish and maintain an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
- **AI.X.A.S4** — Accomplish coordinated straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents with the aircraft configured as specified by the evaluator without a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
- **AI.X.A.S5** — Maintain the specified altitude, ±50 feet; specified heading, ±10°; airspeed, +5/-0 knots; and specified angle of bank, ±5°.
- **AI.X.A.S6** — 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

- See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and 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.