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PA.X.B — VMC Demonstration (AMEL, AMES)

PA.X.B for the Private Pilot Airplane ACS: official objective, references, and 22 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

FAA-S-ACS-6C, November 2023. This study page does not replace the current FAA publication or an examiner's plan of action.

Official task context

PA.X.B official ACS context
Certificate or ratingPrivate Pilot
Aircraft categoryAirplane
Area of operationArea of Operation X. Multiengine Operations
TaskTask B. VMC Demonstration (AMEL, AMES)
Task code prefixPA.X.B
Official referencesFAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; FAA-P-8740-66; POH/AFM
FAA documentFAA-S-ACS-6C — Private 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 VMC demonstration.

What the ACS code means

  • PA identifies the ACS standard family used for this Private Pilot Airplane document.
  • X identifies Multiengine Operations, the Area of Operation.
  • B identifies VMC Demonstration (AMEL, 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
PA.X.B.K1Factors affecting VMC and how VMC differs from stall speed (VS).Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
PA.X.B.K2VMC (red line), VYSE (blue line), and safe single-engine speed (VSSE).Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
PA.X.B.K3Cause of loss of directional control at airspeeds below VMC.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
PA.X.B.K4Proper procedures for maneuver entry and safe recovery.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
PA.X.B.R1Configuring the airplane.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
PA.X.B.R2Maneuvering with one engine inoperative.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
PA.X.B.R3Distractions, 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.

Skills elements

Official ACS skills items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
PA.X.B.S1Configure the airplane in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, in the absence of the manufacturer’s recommendations, then at safe single-engine speed (VSSE/VYSE), as appropriate, and:Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S1aLanding gear retractedDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S1bFlaps set for takeoffDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S1cCowl flaps set for takeoffDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S1dTrim set for takeoffDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S1ePropellers set for high revolutions per minute (rpm)Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S1fPower on critical engine reduced to idle and propeller windmillingDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S1gPower on operating engine set to takeoff or maximum available powerDescribe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S2Establish a single-engine climb attitude with the airspeed at approximately 10 knots above VSSE.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S3Establish a bank angle not to exceed 5° toward the operating engine, as required for best performance and controllability.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S4Increase the pitch attitude slowly to reduce the airspeed at approximately 1 knot per second while applying increased rudder pressure as needed to maintain directional control.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S5Recognize and recover at the first indication of loss of directional control, stall warning, or buffet.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S6Recover promptly by simultaneously reducing power sufficiently on the operating engine, decreasing the angle of attack as necessary to regain airspeed and directional control, and without adding power on the simulated failed engine.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S7Recover within 20° of entry heading.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
PA.X.B.S8Advance power smoothly on the operating engine and accelerate to VSSE/VYSE, as appropriate, +10/-5 knots during recovery.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

  • See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight and Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this 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.

Practice in a mock oral

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