Flight Instructor ACS · Area V
AI.V Preflight Procedures
6 tasks and 97 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as AI.V.A.K1, lands on its own line.
Flight Instructor Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-25 (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.
AI.V.A Preflight Assessment
To determine the applicant understands preflight assessment, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- AI.V.A.K1Knowledge
- Pilot self-assessment.
- AI.V.A.K2Knowledge
- Determining that the airplane to be used is appropriate and airworthy.
- AI.V.A.K3Knowledge
- Airplane preflight inspection, including:
- AI.V.A.K3aKnowledge
- Which items should be inspected
- AI.V.A.K3bKnowledge
- The reasons for checking each item
- AI.V.A.K3cKnowledge
- How to detect possible defects
- AI.V.A.K3dKnowledge
- The associated regulations
- AI.V.A.K4Knowledge
- Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.
- AI.V.A.R1Risk management
- Pilot.
- AI.V.A.R2Risk management
- Aircraft.
- AI.V.A.R3Risk management
- Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
- AI.V.A.R4Risk management
- External pressures.
- AI.V.A.R5Risk management
- Aviation security concerns.
- AI.V.A.S1Skill
- Inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist.
- AI.V.A.S2Skill
- Verify the airplane is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design.
- AI.V.A.S3Skill
- Perform self-assessment.
- AI.V.A.S4Skill
- Continue to assess the environment for safe flight.
AI.V.B Flight Deck Management
To determine the applicant understands flight deck management, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- AI.V.B.K1Knowledge
- Passenger briefing requirements, including operation and required use of safety restraint systems.
- AI.V.B.K2Knowledge
- Use of appropriate checklists.
- AI.V.B.K3Knowledge
- Requirements for current and appropriate navigation data.
- AI.V.B.K4Knowledge
- Securing items and cargo.
- AI.V.B.R1Risk management
- Use of systems or equipment, including automation and portable electronic devices.
- AI.V.B.R2Risk management
- Inoperative equipment.
- AI.V.B.R3Risk management
- Passenger distractions.
- AI.V.B.S1Skill
- Secure all items in the aircraft.
- AI.V.B.S2Skill
- Conduct an appropriate passenger briefing, including identifying the pilot-in-command (PIC), use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, doors, passenger conduct, sterile aircraft, propeller blade avoidance, and emergency procedures.
- AI.V.B.S3Skill
- Properly program and manage the aircraft's automation, as applicable.
- AI.V.B.S4Skill
- Appropriately manage risks by utilizing ADM, including SRM/CRM.
AI.V.C Engine Starting
To determine the applicant understands engine starting, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- AI.V.C.K1Knowledge
- Starting under various conditions.
- AI.V.C.K2Knowledge
- Starting the engine(s) by use of external power.
- AI.V.C.K3Knowledge
- Engine limitations as they relate to starting.
- AI.V.C.R1Risk management
- Propeller safety.
- AI.V.C.R2Risk management
- Use of external power unit.
- AI.V.C.R3Risk management
- Limitations during starting.
- AI.V.C.S1Skill
- Position the airplane properly considering structures, other aircraft, wind, and the safety of nearby persons and property.
- AI.V.C.S2Skill
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
AI.V.D Taxiing, Airport Signs, and Lighting (ASEL, AMEL)
To determine the applicant understands taxiing an airplane, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- AI.V.D.K1Knowledge
- Elements of safe taxi operations.
- AI.V.D.K2Knowledge
- Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
- AI.V.D.K3Knowledge
- Taxi instructions/clearances.
- AI.V.D.K4Knowledge
- Airport markings, signs, and lights.
- AI.V.D.K5Knowledge
- Visual indicators for wind.
- AI.V.D.K6Knowledge
- Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
- AI.V.D.K7Knowledge
- Procedures for:
- AI.V.D.K7aKnowledge
- Appropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots
- AI.V.D.K7bKnowledge
- Radio communications at towered and nontowered airports
- AI.V.D.K7cKnowledge
- Entering or crossing runways
- AI.V.D.K7dKnowledge
- Night taxi operations
- AI.V.D.K7eKnowledge
- Low visibility taxi operations
- AI.V.D.R1Risk management
- Activities and distractions.
- AI.V.D.R2Risk management
- Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
- AI.V.D.R3Risk management
- A taxi route or departure runway change.
- AI.V.D.R4Risk management
- Runway incursion.
- AI.V.D.S1Skill
- Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable.
- AI.V.D.S2Skill
- Use an airport diagram or taxi chart during taxi, if published, and maintain situational awareness.
- AI.V.D.S3Skill
- Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
- AI.V.D.S4Skill
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- AI.V.D.S5Skill
- Perform a brake check immediately after the airplane begins moving.
- AI.V.D.S6Skill
- Maintain positive control of the airplane during ground operations by controlling direction and speed without excessive use of brakes.
- AI.V.D.S7Skill
- Comply with airport/taxiway markings, signals, and air traffic control (ATC) clearances and instructions.
- AI.V.D.S8Skill
- Position the airplane properly relative to hold lines.
AI.V.E Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES)
To determine the applicant understands taxiing and sailing, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- AI.V.E.K1Knowledge
- Procedures for various types of taxiing and sailing.
- AI.V.E.K2Knowledge
- Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
- AI.V.E.K3Knowledge
- Taxi instructions/clearances.
- AI.V.E.K4Knowledge
- Airport/seaplane base markings, signs, and lights.
- AI.V.E.K5Knowledge
- Visual indicators for wind.
- AI.V.E.K6Knowledge
- Airplane lighting.
- AI.V.E.K7Knowledge
- Procedures for:
- AI.V.E.K7aKnowledge
- Appropriate flight deck activities during taxiing or sailing
- AI.V.E.K7bKnowledge
- Radio communications at towered and nontowered seaplane bases
- AI.V.E.R1Risk management
- Activities and distractions.
- AI.V.E.R2Risk management
- Porpoising and skipping.
- AI.V.E.R3Risk management
- Low visibility taxi and sailing operations.
- AI.V.E.R4Risk management
- Other aircraft, vessels, and hazards.
- AI.V.E.R5Risk management
- Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
- AI.V.E.S1Skill
- Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable.
- AI.V.E.S2Skill
- Use an appropriate airport diagram or taxi chart, if published.
- AI.V.E.S3Skill
- Comply with seaplane base/airport/taxiway markings, signals, and signs.
- AI.V.E.S4Skill
- Depart the dock/mooring buoy or beach/ramp in a safe manner, considering wind, current, traffic, and hazards.
- AI.V.E.S5Skill
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- AI.V.E.S6Skill
- Position the flight controls, flaps, doors, water rudders, and power correctly for the existing conditions to follow the desired course while sailing and to prevent or correct for porpoising and skipping during step taxi.
- AI.V.E.S7Skill
- Exhibit procedures for steering and maneuvering while maintaining proper situational awareness and desired orientation, path, and position while taxiing using idle, plow, or step taxi technique, as appropriate.
- AI.V.E.S8Skill
- Plan and follow the most favorable taxi or sailing course for current conditions.
- AI.V.E.S9Skill
- Abide by right-of-way rules, maintain positive airplane control, proper speed, and separation between other aircraft, vessels, and persons.
- AI.V.E.S10Skill
- Comply with applicable taxi elements in Task D if the practical test is conducted in an amphibious airplane.
AI.V.F Before Takeoff Check
To determine the applicant understands before takeoff checks, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.
- AI.V.F.K1Knowledge
- Purpose of before takeoff checklist items, including:
- AI.V.F.K1aKnowledge
- Reasons for checking each item
- AI.V.F.K1bKnowledge
- Detecting malfunctions
- AI.V.F.K1cKnowledge
- Ensuring the aircraft is in safe operating condition as recommended by the manufacturer
- AI.V.F.R1Risk management
- Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
- AI.V.F.R2Risk management
- Unexpected runway changes by air traffic control (ATC).
- AI.V.F.R3Risk management
- Wake turbulence.
- AI.V.F.R4Risk management
- Potential powerplant failure during takeoff or other malfunction considering operational factors such as airplane characteristics, runway/takeoff path length, surface conditions, environmental conditions, and obstructions.
- AI.V.F.S1Skill
- Review takeoff performance.
- AI.V.F.S2Skill
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- AI.V.F.S3Skill
- Position the airplane appropriately considering wind direction and the presence of any aircraft, vessels, or buildings as applicable.
- AI.V.F.S4Skill
- Divide attention inside and outside the flight deck.
- AI.V.F.S5Skill
- Verify that engine parameters and airplane configuration are suitable.
Other areas in this standard
FI.I Fundamentals of Instructing6 tasksAI.II Technical Subject Areas16 tasksAI.III Preflight Preparation3 tasksAI.IV Preflight Lesson on a Maneuver to be Performed in Flight1 taskAI.VI Airport and Seaplane Base Operations2 tasksAI.VII Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds15 tasksAI.VIII Fundamentals of Flight4 tasksAI.IX Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers6 tasksAI.X Slow flight, Stalls, and Spins9 tasksAI.XI Basic Instrument Maneuvers5 tasksAI.XII Emergency Operations7 tasksAI.XIII Multiengine Operations3 tasksAI.XIV Postflight Procedures2 tasks
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Last updated 11 November 2026.