Commercial Pilot ACS · Area VI

CA.VI Navigation

4 tasks and 64 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as CA.VI.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.VI.A Pilotage and Dead Reckoning

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pilotage and dead reckoning.

CA.VI.A.K1Knowledge: Pilotage and dead reckoning.
CA.VI.A.K2Knowledge: Magnetic compass errors.
CA.VI.A.K3Knowledge: Topography.
CA.VI.A.K4Knowledge: Selection of appropriate:
CA.VI.A.K4aKnowledge: Route
CA.VI.A.K4bKnowledge: Altitude(s)
CA.VI.A.K4cKnowledge: Checkpoints
CA.VI.A.K5Knowledge: Plotting a course, including:
CA.VI.A.K5aKnowledge: Determining heading, speed, and course
CA.VI.A.K5bKnowledge: Wind correction angle
CA.VI.A.K5cKnowledge: Estimating time, speed, and distance
CA.VI.A.K5dKnowledge: True airspeed and density altitude
CA.VI.A.K6Knowledge: Power setting selection.
CA.VI.A.K7Knowledge: Planned calculations versus actual results and required corrections.
CA.VI.A.R1Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VI.A.R2Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VI.A.R3Risk management: Unplanned fuel/power consumption, if applicable.
CA.VI.A.S1Skill: Prepare and use a flight log.
CA.VI.A.S2Skill: Navigate by pilotage.
CA.VI.A.S3Skill: Navigate by means of pre-computed headings, groundspeeds, elapsed time, and reference to landmarks or checkpoints.
CA.VI.A.S4Skill: Use the magnetic direction indicator in navigation, including turns to headings.
CA.VI.A.S5Skill: Verify position within two nautical miles of the flight-planned route.
CA.VI.A.S6Skill: Arrive at the en route checkpoints within three minutes of the initial or revised estimated time of arrival (ETA) and provide a destination estimate.
CA.VI.A.S7Skill: Maintain the selected altitude, ±100 feet and heading, ±10°.

CA.VI.B Navigation Systems and Radar Services

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with navigation systems and radar services.

CA.VI.B.K1Knowledge: Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
CA.VI.B.K2Knowledge: Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
CA.VI.B.K3Knowledge: Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
CA.VI.B.K4Knowledge: Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
CA.VI.B.R1Risk management: Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
CA.VI.B.R2Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VI.B.R3Risk management: Limitations of the navigation system in use.
CA.VI.B.R4Risk management: Loss of a navigation signal.
CA.VI.B.R5Risk management: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
CA.VI.B.S1Skill: Use an airborne electronic navigation system.
CA.VI.B.S2Skill: Determine the airplane's position using the navigation system.
CA.VI.B.S3Skill: Intercept and track a given course, radial, or bearing.
CA.VI.B.S4Skill: Recognize and describe the indication of station or waypoint passage.
CA.VI.B.S5Skill: Recognize signal loss or interference and take appropriate action, if applicable.
CA.VI.B.S6Skill: Use proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services.
CA.VI.B.S7Skill: Maintain the appropriate altitude, ±100 feet and heading, ±10°.

CA.VI.C Diversion

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

CA.VI.C.K1Knowledge: Selecting an alternate destination.
CA.VI.C.K2Knowledge: Situations that require deviations from flight plan or air traffic control (ATC) instructions.
CA.VI.C.R1Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VI.C.R2Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VI.C.R3Risk management: Circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
CA.VI.C.R4Risk management: Selecting an appropriate airport or seaplane base.
CA.VI.C.R5Risk management: Using available resources (e.g., automation, ATC, and flight deck planning aids).
CA.VI.C.S1Skill: Select a suitable destination and route for diversion.
CA.VI.C.S2Skill: Make a reasonable estimate of heading, groundspeed, arrival time, and fuel required to the "divert to" destination.
CA.VI.C.S3Skill: Maintain the appropriate altitude, ±100 feet and heading, ±10°.
CA.VI.C.S4Skill: Update/interpret weather in flight.
CA.VI.C.S5Skill: Use displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, as applicable to maintain situational awareness.
CA.VI.C.S6Skill: Promptly divert toward the destination.

CA.VI.D Lost Procedures

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.

CA.VI.D.K1Knowledge: Methods to determine position.
CA.VI.D.K2Knowledge: Assistance available if lost (e.g., radar services, communication procedures).
CA.VI.D.R1Risk management: Collision hazards.
CA.VI.D.R2Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
CA.VI.D.R3Risk management: Recording times over waypoints.
CA.VI.D.R4Risk management: When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
CA.VI.D.S1Skill: Use an appropriate method to determine position.
CA.VI.D.S2Skill: Maintain an appropriate heading and climb as necessary.
CA.VI.D.S3Skill: Identify prominent landmarks.
CA.VI.D.S4Skill: Use navigation systems/facilities or contact an ATC facility for assistance.
CA.VI.D.S5Skill: Select an appropriate course of action.

Other areas in this standard

CA.I Preflight Preparation9 tasks CA.II Preflight Procedures6 tasks CA.III Airport and Seaplane Base Operations2 tasks CA.IV Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds14 tasks CA.V Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers5 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.