Private Pilot — Airplane ACS tasks
Browse 61 FAA ACS Tasks from FAA-S-ACS-6C, with official objectives, references, and exact K/R/S item descriptions.
FAA-S-ACS-6C, November 2023. Verify amendments and current applicability in the FAA source library.
Document context
| FAA document | Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards |
|---|---|
| Document identifier | FAA-S-ACS-6C |
| Published source date | November 2023 |
| Aircraft category | Airplane |
| Certificate or rating | Private Pilot |
| Task pages | 61 |
| K/R/S item descriptions | 1,192 |
| FAA source library | Open the official ACS library |
Area of Operation I. Preflight Preparation
- PA.I.A — Pilot Qualifications
8 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airman and medical certificates including privileges, limitations, currency, and operating as pilot-in-command as a private pilot.
- PA.I.B — Airworthiness Requirements
17 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airworthiness requirements, including airplane certificates.
- PA.I.C — Weather Information
34 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR.
- PA.I.D — Cross-Country Flight Planning
22 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
- PA.I.E — National Airspace System
8 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with National Airspace System (NAS) operations under VFR as a private pilot.
- PA.I.F — Performance and Limitations
14 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating an airplane safely within the parameters of its performance capabilities and limitations.
- PA.I.G — Operation of Systems
19 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with safe operation of systems on the airplane provided for the flight test.
- PA.I.H — Human Factors
22 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight.
- PA.I.I — Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)
28 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with water and seaplane characteristics, seaplane bases, maritime rules, and aids to marine navigation.
Area of Operation II. Preflight Procedures
- PA.II.A — Preflight Assessment
17 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with preparation for safe flight.
- PA.II.B — Flight Deck Management
11 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight deck management practices.
- PA.II.C — Engine Starting
7 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with recommended engine starting procedures.
- PA.II.D — Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL)
23 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxi operations, including runway incursion avoidance.
- PA.II.E — Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES)
23 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with taxiing and sailing operations, including runway incursion avoidance.
- PA.II.F — Before Takeoff Check
13 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with before takeoff check.
Area of Operation III. Airport and Seaplane Base Operations
- PA.III.A — Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems
16 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems.
- PA.III.B — Traffic Patterns
13 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with traffic patterns.
Area of Operation IV. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
- PA.IV.A — Normal Takeoff and Climb
34 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
- PA.IV.B — Normal Approach and Landing
28 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal approach and landing with emphasis on proper use and coordination of flight controls.
- PA.IV.C — Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL)
33 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with soft-field takeoff, climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
- PA.IV.D — Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL)
29 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with soft-field approach and landing with emphasis on proper use and coordination of flight controls.
- PA.IV.E — Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASEL, AMEL)
31 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with short-field takeoff, maximum performance climb operations, and rejected takeoff procedures.
- PA.IV.F — Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL)
29 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with short-field approach and landing with emphasis on proper use and coordination of flight controls.
- PA.IV.G — Confined Area Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASES, AMES)
34 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area takeoff and maximum performance climb.
- PA.IV.H — Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
27 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with confined area approach and landing.
- PA.IV.I — Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
27 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with glassy water takeoff and climb.
- PA.IV.J — Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
20 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with glassy water approach and landing.
- PA.IV.K — Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
33 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with rough water takeoff and climb.
- PA.IV.L — Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
27 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with rough water approach and landing.
- PA.IV.M — Forward Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES)
29 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with forward slip to a landing.
- PA.IV.N — Go-Around/Rejected Landing
21 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with go-around/rejected landing with emphasis on factors that contribute to landing conditions that may require a go-around.
Area of Operation V. Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers
- PA.V.A — Steep Turns
17 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep turns.
- PA.V.B — Ground Reference Maneuvers
19 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with ground reference maneuvering which may include a rectangular course, S-turns, and turns around a point.
Area of Operation VI. Navigation
- PA.VI.A — Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
24 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pilotage and dead reckoning.
- PA.VI.B — Navigation Systems and Radar Services
16 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with navigation systems and radar services.
- PA.VI.C — Diversion
13 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with diversion.
- PA.VI.D — Lost Procedures
11 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with lost procedures and can take appropriate steps to achieve a satisfactory outcome if lost.
Area of Operation VII. Slow Flight and Stalls
- PA.VII.A — Maneuvering During Slow Flight
12 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering during slow flight in cruise configuration.
- PA.VII.B — Power-Off Stalls
23 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with power-off stalls.
- PA.VII.C — Power-On Stalls
23 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with power-on stalls.
- PA.VII.D — Spin Awareness
9 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the causes and procedures for recovery from unintentional spins and understands the risk associated with unintentional spins.
Area of Operation VIII. Basic Instrument Maneuvers
- PA.VIII.A — Straight-and-Level Flight
15 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flying during straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments.
- PA.VIII.B — Constant Airspeed Climbs
16 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed climbs solely by reference to instruments.
- PA.VIII.C — Constant Airspeed Descents
16 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed descents solely by reference to instruments.
- PA.VIII.D — Turns to Headings
14 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during turns to headings solely by reference to instruments.
- PA.VIII.E — Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
20 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying while recovering from unusual attitudes solely by reference to instruments.
- PA.VIII.F — Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services
8 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with radio communications, navigation systems/facilities, and radar services available for use during flight solely by reference to instruments.
Area of Operation IX. Emergency Operations
- PA.IX.A — Emergency Descent
16 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency descent.
- PA.IX.B — Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) (ASEL, ASES)
21 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency approach and landing procedures.
- PA.IX.C — Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
21 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with system and equipment malfunctions appropriate to the airplane provided for the practical test.
- PA.IX.D — Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
14 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency equipment, and survival gear appropriate to the airplane and environment encountered during flight.
- PA.IX.E — Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
8 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure during takeoff before minimum controllable airspeed (VMC).
- PA.IX.F — Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
21 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with engine failure after liftoff.
- PA.IX.G — Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated)(AMEL, AMES)
21 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with approach and landing with an engine inoperative, including engine failure on final approach.
Area of Operation X. Multiengine Operations
- PA.X.A — Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES)
18 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with maneuvering with one engine inoperative.
- PA.X.B — VMC Demonstration (AMEL, AMES)
22 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with VMC demonstration.
- PA.X.C — One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) (solely by Reference to Instruments) During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES)
17 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.
- PA.X.D — Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
20 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.
Area of Operation XI. Night Operations
- PA.XI.A — Night Operations
15 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge and risk management associated with night operations.
Area of Operation XII. Postflight Procedures
- PA.XII.A — After Landing, Parking, and Securing (ASEL, AMEL)
11 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with after landing, parking, and securing procedures.
- PA.XII.B — Seaplane Post-Landing Procedures (ASES, AMES)
14 K/R/S items. To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with anchoring, docking, mooring, and ramping/beaching. Note: The evaluator must select at least one after-landing procedure (anchoring, docking and mooring, or ramping/beaching).
Related ACS documents
- Commercial Pilot — Airplane
60 Tasks from FAA-S-ACS-7B.
- Instrument Rating — Airplane
22 Tasks from FAA-S-ACS-8C.
- Flight Instructor — Airplane
85 Tasks from FAA-S-ACS-25.
- Airline Transport Pilot — Airplane
48 Tasks from FAA-S-ACS-11A.
- Private Pilot — Rotorcraft
49 Tasks from FAA-S-ACS-15.
- Private Pilot — Powered Lift
58 Tasks from FAA-S-ACS-13.
Practice the material
Use the task pages to review official ACS scope, then practice explaining and applying the material in a spoken scenario. This index does not reproduce an FAA examiner's plan of action or predict the exact questions on a practical test.
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