# HI.VI.B — Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems — Flight Instructor Rotorcraft ACS

> HI.VI.B from FAA-S-ACS-29, including the official objective, references, notes, and 16 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

Canonical HTML: [https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/rotorcraft/flight-instructor/hi-vi-b](https://www.check-ride.ai/acs/rotorcraft/flight-instructor/hi-vi-b)

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

## Official Task context

- FAA document: Flight Instructor for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter Rating Airman Certification Standards
- Identifier: FAA-S-ACS-29
- Published source date: November 2023
- Aircraft category: Rotorcraft
- Certificate or rating: Flight Instructor
- Area of Operation: Area of Operation VI. Airport and Heliport Operations
- Task: Task B. Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems
- Task code prefix: HI.VI.B
- Official references: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-4, FAA-H-8083-9, FAA-H-8083-21, FAA-H-8083-25
- FAA source library: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs

## Official Task objective

To determine the applicant understands communications and ATC light signals, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

## Knowledge elements

- **HI.VI.B.K1** — How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies.
- **HI.VI.B.K2** — Proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology.
- **HI.VI.B.K3** — ATC light signal recognition.
- **HI.VI.B.K4** — Appropriate use of transponder(s).
- **HI.VI.B.K5** — Lost communication procedures.
- **HI.VI.B.K6** — Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication.
- **HI.VI.B.K7** — Radar assistance.
- **HI.VI.B.K8** — Runway Status Lighting Systems.
- **HI.VI.B.K9** — Common errors related to this Task.

## Risk management elements

- **HI.VI.B.R1** — Communication.
- **HI.VI.B.R2** — Deciding if and when to declare an emergency.
- **HI.VI.B.R3** — Use of non-standard phraseology.

## Skills elements

- **HI.VI.B.S1** — Select and activate appropriate frequencies.
- **HI.VI.B.S2** — Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary.
- **HI.VI.B.S3** — Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.
- **HI.VI.B.S4** — 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.