ACS code reference

Private Pilot ACS codes

12 Areas of Operation and 61 tasks from FAA-S-ACS-6C. Codes beginning PA belong to this standard.

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.

PA.I Preflight Preparation

• PA.I.A Pilot Qualifications
• PA.I.B Airworthiness Requirements
• PA.I.C Weather Information
• PA.I.D Cross-Country Flight Planning
• PA.I.E National Airspace System
• PA.I.F Performance and Limitations
• PA.I.G Operation of Systems
• PA.I.H Human Factors
• PA.I.I Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)

PA.II Preflight Procedures

• PA.II.A Preflight Assessment
• PA.II.B Flight Deck Management
• PA.II.C Engine Starting
• PA.II.D Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL)
• PA.II.E Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES)
• PA.II.F Before Takeoff Check

PA.III Airport and Seaplane Base Operations

• PA.III.A Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems
• PA.III.B Traffic Patterns

PA.IV Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds

• PA.IV.A Normal Takeoff and Climb
• PA.IV.B Normal Approach and Landing
• PA.IV.C Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL)
• PA.IV.D Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL)
• PA.IV.E Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASEL, AMEL)
• PA.IV.F Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL)
• PA.IV.G Confined Area Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASES, AMES)
• PA.IV.H Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
• PA.IV.I Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
• PA.IV.J Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
• PA.IV.K Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)
• PA.IV.L Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)
• PA.IV.M Forward Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES)
• PA.IV.N Go-Around/Rejected Landing

PA.V Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers

• PA.V.A Steep Turns
• PA.V.B Ground Reference Maneuvers

PA.VI Navigation

• PA.VI.A Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
• PA.VI.B Navigation Systems and Radar Services
• PA.VI.C Diversion
• PA.VI.D Lost Procedures

PA.VII Slow Flight and Stalls

• PA.VII.A Maneuvering During Slow Flight
• PA.VII.B Power-Off Stalls
• PA.VII.C Power-On Stalls
• PA.VII.D Spin Awareness

PA.VIII Basic Instrument Maneuvers

• PA.VIII.A Straight-and-Level Flight
• PA.VIII.B Constant Airspeed Climbs
• PA.VIII.C Constant Airspeed Descents
• PA.VIII.D Turns to Headings
• PA.VIII.E Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
• PA.VIII.F Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services

PA.IX Emergency Operations

• PA.IX.A Emergency Descent
• PA.IX.B Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated) (ASEL, ASES)
• PA.IX.C Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
• PA.IX.D Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
• PA.IX.E Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
• PA.IX.F Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
• PA.IX.G Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated)(AMEL, AMES)

PA.X Multiengine Operations

• PA.X.A Maneuvering with One Engine Inoperative (AMEL, AMES)
• PA.X.B VMC Demonstration (AMEL, AMES)
• PA.X.C One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) (solely by Reference to Instruments) During Straight-and- Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES)
• PA.X.D Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)

PA.XI Night Operations

• PA.XI.A Night Operations

PA.XII Postflight Procedures

• PA.XII.A After Landing, Parking, and Securing (ASEL, AMEL)
• PA.XII.B Seaplane Post-Landing Procedures (ASES, AMES)

Last updated 11 November 2026.