Commercial Pilot ACS · Area III

CA.III Airport and Seaplane Base Operations

2 tasks and 28 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as CA.III.A.K1, lands on its own line.

Written by the FlightWay team. Regulations checked against the eCFR and faa.gov on 11 November 2026. Not a substitute for the regulation itself or your instructor.

Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-7B (November 2023 edition), effective May 31, 2024 and incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 61.14. Text from the FAA’s ACS page, checked on 11 November 2026. If the FAA has published a newer edition since, the codes and wording may differ: the FAA document is the authority.

CA.III.A Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems

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.

CA.III.A.K1Knowledge: How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies.
CA.III.A.K2Knowledge: Proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology.
CA.III.A.K3Knowledge: ATC light signal recognition.
CA.III.A.K4Knowledge: Appropriate use of transponder(s).
CA.III.A.K5Knowledge: Lost communication procedures.
CA.III.A.K6Knowledge: Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication.
CA.III.A.K7Knowledge: Radar assistance.
CA.III.A.K8Knowledge: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident/incident reporting.
CA.III.A.K9Knowledge: Runway Status Lighting Systems.
CA.III.A.R1Risk management: Communication.
CA.III.A.R2Risk management: Deciding if and when to declare an emergency.
CA.III.A.R3Risk management: Use of non-standard phraseology.
CA.III.A.S1Skill: Select and activate appropriate frequencies.
CA.III.A.S2Skill: Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary.
CA.III.A.S3Skill: Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.

CA.III.B Traffic Patterns

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with traffic patterns.

CA.III.B.K1Knowledge: Towered and nontowered airport operations.
CA.III.B.K2Knowledge: Traffic pattern selection for the current conditions.
CA.III.B.K3Knowledge: Right-of-way rules.
CA.III.B.K4Knowledge: Use of automated weather and airport information.
CA.III.B.R1Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.III.B.R2Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.III.B.R3Risk management: Windshear and wake turbulence.
CA.III.B.S1Skill: Identify and interpret airport/seaplane base runways, taxiways, markings, signs, and lighting.
CA.III.B.S2Skill: Comply with recommended traffic pattern procedures.
CA.III.B.S3Skill: Correct for wind drift to maintain the proper ground track.
CA.III.B.S4Skill: Maintain orientation with the runway/landing area in use.
CA.III.B.S5Skill: Maintain traffic pattern altitude, ±100 feet, and the appropriate airspeed, ±10 knots.
CA.III.B.S6Skill: Maintain situational awareness and proper spacing from other aircraft in the traffic pattern.

Other areas in this standard

CA.I Preflight Preparation9 tasks CA.II Preflight Procedures6 tasks CA.IV Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds14 tasks CA.V Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers5 tasks CA.VI Navigation4 tasks CA.VII Slow Flight and Stalls5 tasks CA.VIII High-Altitude Operations2 tasks CA.IX Emergency Operations7 tasks CA.X Multiengine Operations4 tasks CA.XI Postflight Procedures2 tasks

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Last updated 11 November 2026.