Private Pilot ACS · Area I

PA.I Preflight Preparation

9 tasks and 172 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as PA.I.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.

PA.I.A Pilot Qualifications

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airman and medical certificates including privileges, limitations, currency, and operating as pilot-in- command as a private pilot.

PA.I.A.K1Knowledge

Certification requirements, recent flight experience, and recordkeeping.

PA.I.A.K2Knowledge

Privileges and limitations.

PA.I.A.K3Knowledge

Medical certificates: class, expiration, privileges, temporary disqualifications.

PA.I.A.K4Knowledge

Documents required to exercise private pilot privileges.

PA.I.A.K5Knowledge

Part 68 BasicMed privileges and limitations.

PA.I.A.R1Risk management

Proficiency versus currency.

PA.I.A.R2Risk management

Flying unfamiliar aircraft or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.

PA.I.A.S1Skill

Apply requirements to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in a scenario given by the evaluator.

PA.I.B Airworthiness Requirements

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airworthiness requirements, including airplane certificates.

PA.I.B.K1Knowledge

General airworthiness requirements and compliance for airplanes, including:

PA.I.B.K1aKnowledge

Location and expiration dates of required aircraft certificates

PA.I.B.K1bKnowledge

Required inspections and airplane logbook documentation

PA.I.B.K1cKnowledge

Airworthiness Directives and Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins

PA.I.B.K1dKnowledge

Purpose and procedure for obtaining a special flight permit

PA.I.B.K1eKnowledge

Owner/Operator and pilot-in-command responsibilities

PA.I.B.K2Knowledge

Pilot-performed preventive maintenance.

PA.I.B.K3Knowledge

Equipment requirements for day and night VFR flight, including:

PA.I.B.K3aKnowledge

Flying with inoperative equipment

PA.I.B.K3bKnowledge

Using an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

PA.I.B.K3cKnowledge

Kinds of Operation Equipment List (KOEL)

PA.I.B.K3dKnowledge

Required discrepancy records or placards

PA.I.B.K4Knowledge

Standard and special airworthiness certificates and their associated operational limitations.

PA.I.B.R1Risk management

Inoperative equipment discovered prior to flight.

PA.I.B.S1Skill

Locate and describe airplane airworthiness and registration information.

PA.I.B.S2Skill

Determine the airplane is airworthy in the scenario given by the evaluator.

PA.I.B.S3Skill

Apply appropriate procedures for operating with inoperative equipment in the scenario given by the evaluator.

PA.I.C Weather Information

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with weather information for a flight under VFR.

PA.I.C.K1Knowledge

Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.

PA.I.C.K2Knowledge

Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:

PA.I.C.K2aKnowledge

Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)

PA.I.C.K2bKnowledge

Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)

PA.I.C.K2cKnowledge

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)

PA.I.C.K2dKnowledge

Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)

PA.I.C.K2eKnowledge

Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)

PA.I.C.K2fKnowledge

Convective Outlook (AC)

PA.I.C.K2gKnowledge

Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET

PA.I.C.K3Knowledge

Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:

PA.I.C.K3aKnowledge

Atmospheric composition and stability

PA.I.C.K3bKnowledge

Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)

PA.I.C.K3cKnowledge

Temperature and heat exchange

PA.I.C.K3dKnowledge

Moisture/precipitation

PA.I.C.K3eKnowledge

Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts

PA.I.C.K3fKnowledge

Clouds

PA.I.C.K3gKnowledge

Turbulence

PA.I.C.K3hKnowledge

Thunderstorms and microbursts

PA.I.C.K3iKnowledge

Icing and freezing level information

PA.I.C.K3jKnowledge

Fog/mist

PA.I.C.K3kKnowledge

Frost

PA.I.C.K3lKnowledge

Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)

PA.I.C.K4Knowledge

Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.

PA.I.C.R1Risk management

Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:

PA.I.C.R1aRisk management

Circumstances that would make diversion prudent

PA.I.C.R1bRisk management

Personal weather minimums

PA.I.C.R1cRisk management

Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft

PA.I.C.R2Risk management

Use and limitations of:

PA.I.C.R2aRisk management

Installed onboard weather equipment

PA.I.C.R2bRisk management

Aviation weather reports and forecasts

PA.I.C.R2cRisk management

Inflight weather resources

PA.I.C.S1Skill

Use available aviation weather resources to obtain an adequate weather briefing.

PA.I.C.S2Skill

Analyze the implications of at least three of the conditions listed in K3a through K3l, using actual weather or weather conditions provided by the evaluator.

PA.I.C.S3Skill

Correlate weather information to make a go/no-go decision.

PA.I.D Cross-Country Flight Planning

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.

PA.I.D.K1Knowledge

Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.

PA.I.D.K1aKnowledge

Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used

PA.I.D.K2Knowledge

Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of airplane, VFR cruising altitudes, and effect of wind.

PA.I.D.K3Knowledge

Calculating:

PA.I.D.K3aKnowledge

Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed

PA.I.D.K3bKnowledge

Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)

PA.I.D.K3cKnowledge

Fuel requirements, including reserve

PA.I.D.K4Knowledge

Elements of a VFR flight plan.

PA.I.D.K5Knowledge

Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.

PA.I.D.K6Knowledge

Inflight intercept procedures.

PA.I.D.R1Risk management

Pilot.

PA.I.D.R2Risk management

Aircraft.

PA.I.D.R3Risk management

Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).

PA.I.D.R4Risk management

External pressures.

PA.I.D.R5Risk management

Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.

PA.I.D.R6Risk management

Fuel planning.

PA.I.D.R7Risk management

Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.

PA.I.D.S1Skill

Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator, including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop.

PA.I.D.S2Skill

Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) relative to airport, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications.

PA.I.D.S3Skill

Create a navigation plan and simulate filing a VFR flight plan.

PA.I.D.S4Skill

Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator.

PA.I.D.S5Skill

Use an electronic flight bag (EFB), if applicable.

PA.I.E National Airspace System

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with National Airspace System (NAS) operations under VFR as a private pilot.

PA.I.E.K1Knowledge

Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations.

PA.I.E.K2Knowledge

Chart symbols.

PA.I.E.K3Knowledge

Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas.

PA.I.E.K4Knowledge

Special visual flight rules (VFR) requirements.

PA.I.E.R1Risk management

Various classes and types of airspace.

PA.I.E.S1Skill

Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace.

PA.I.E.S2Skill

Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements.

PA.I.E.S3Skill

Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR. Identify and comply with special air traffic rules (SATR) and SFRA operations, if applicable.

PA.I.F Performance and Limitations

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with operating an airplane safely within the parameters of its performance capabilities and limitations.

PA.I.F.K1Knowledge

Elements related to performance and limitations by explaining the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance.

PA.I.F.K2Knowledge

Factors affecting performance, including:

PA.I.F.K2aKnowledge

Atmospheric conditions

PA.I.F.K2bKnowledge

Pilot technique

PA.I.F.K2cKnowledge

Airplane configuration

PA.I.F.K2dKnowledge

Airport environment

PA.I.F.K2eKnowledge

Loading [e.g., center of gravity (CG)]

PA.I.F.K2fKnowledge

Weight and balance

PA.I.F.K3Knowledge

Aerodynamics.

PA.I.F.R1Risk management

Use of performance charts, tables, and data.

PA.I.F.R2Risk management

Airplane limitations.

PA.I.F.R3Risk management

Possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.

PA.I.F.S1Skill

Compute the weight and balance, correct out-of-CG loading errors and determine if the weight and balance remains within limits during all phases of flight.

PA.I.F.S2Skill

Use the appropriate airplane performance charts, tables, and data.

PA.I.G Operation of Systems

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with safe operation of systems on the airplane provided for the flight test.

PA.I.G.K1Knowledge

Airplane systems, including:

PA.I.G.K1aKnowledge

Primary flight controls

PA.I.G.K1bKnowledge

Secondary flight controls

PA.I.G.K1cKnowledge

Powerplant and propeller

PA.I.G.K1dKnowledge

Landing gear

PA.I.G.K1eKnowledge

Fuel, oil, and hydraulic

PA.I.G.K1fKnowledge

Electrical

PA.I.G.K1gKnowledge

Avionics

PA.I.G.K1hKnowledge

Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments

PA.I.G.K1iKnowledge

Environmental

PA.I.G.K1jKnowledge

Deicing and anti-icing

PA.I.G.K1kKnowledge

Water rudders (ASES, AMES)

PA.I.G.K1lKnowledge

Oxygen system

PA.I.G.K2Knowledge

Indications of and procedures for managing system abnormalities or failures.

PA.I.G.R1Risk management

Detection of system malfunctions or failures.

PA.I.G.R2Risk management

Management of a system failure.

PA.I.G.R3Risk management

Monitoring and management of automated systems.

PA.I.G.S1Skill

Operate at least three of the systems listed in K1a through K1l appropriately.

PA.I.G.S2Skill

Complete the appropriate checklist(s).

PA.I.H Human Factors

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with personal health, flight physiology, and aeromedical and human factors related to safety of flight.

PA.I.H.K1Knowledge

Symptoms, recognition, causes, effects, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:

PA.I.H.K1aKnowledge

Hypoxia

PA.I.H.K1bKnowledge

Hyperventilation

PA.I.H.K1cKnowledge

Middle ear and sinus problems

PA.I.H.K1dKnowledge

Spatial disorientation

PA.I.H.K1eKnowledge

Motion sickness

PA.I.H.K1fKnowledge

Carbon monoxide poisoning

PA.I.H.K1gKnowledge

Stress

PA.I.H.K1hKnowledge

Fatigue

PA.I.H.K1iKnowledge

Dehydration and nutrition

PA.I.H.K1jKnowledge

Hypothermia

PA.I.H.K1kKnowledge

Optical illusions

PA.I.H.K1lKnowledge

Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives

PA.I.H.K2Knowledge

Regulations regarding use of alcohol and drugs.

PA.I.H.K3Knowledge

Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.

PA.I.H.K4Knowledge

Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.

PA.I.H.R1Risk management

Aeromedical and physiological issues.

PA.I.H.R2Risk management

Hazardous attitudes.

PA.I.H.R3Risk management

Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

PA.I.H.R4Risk management

Confirmation and expectation bias.

PA.I.H.S1Skill

Associate the symptoms and effects for at least three of the conditions listed in K1a through K1l with the cause(s) and corrective action(s).

PA.I.H.S2Skill

Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, for actual flight or a scenario given by the evaluator.

PA.I.I Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with water and seaplane characteristics, seaplane bases, maritime rules, and aids to marine navigation.

PA.I.I.K1Knowledge

The characteristics of a water surface as affected by features, such as:

PA.I.I.K1aKnowledge

Size and location

PA.I.I.K1bKnowledge

Protected and unprotected areas

PA.I.I.K1cKnowledge

Surface wind

PA.I.I.K1dKnowledge

Direction and strength of water current

PA.I.I.K1eKnowledge

Floating and partially submerged debris

PA.I.I.K1fKnowledge

Sandbars, islands, and shoals

PA.I.I.K1gKnowledge

Vessel traffic and wakes

PA.I.I.K1hKnowledge

Other characteristics specific to the area

PA.I.I.K1iKnowledge

Direction and height of waves

PA.I.I.K2Knowledge

Float and hull construction, and its effect on seaplane performance.

PA.I.I.K3Knowledge

Causes of porpoising and skipping, and the pilot action needed to prevent or correct these occurrences.

PA.I.I.K4Knowledge

How to locate and identify seaplane bases on charts or in directories.

PA.I.I.K5Knowledge

Operating restrictions at various bases.

PA.I.I.K6Knowledge

Right-of-way, steering, and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operation.

PA.I.I.K7Knowledge

Marine navigation aids, such as buoys, beacons, lights, sound signals, and range markers.

PA.I.I.K8Knowledge

Naval vessel protection zones.

PA.I.I.K9Knowledge

No wake zones.

PA.I.I.R1Risk management

Local conditions.

PA.I.I.R2Risk management

Impact of marine traffic.

PA.I.I.R3Risk management

Right-of-way and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operations.

PA.I.I.R4Risk management

Limited services and assistance available at seaplane bases.

PA.I.I.S1Skill

Assess the water surface characteristics for the proposed flight.

PA.I.I.S2Skill

Identify restrictions at local seaplane bases.

PA.I.I.S3Skill

Identify marine navigation aids.

PA.I.I.S4Skill

Describe correct right-of-way, steering, and sailing operations.

PA.I.I.S5Skill

Explain how float and hull construction can affect seaplane performance.

PA.I.I.S6Skill

Describe how to correct for porpoising and skipping.

Other areas in this standard

Last updated 11 November 2026.