AA.I.A — Operation of Systems

Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with airplane systems and their components; and their normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures.

Knowledge

The applicant demonstrates understanding of:

• AA.I.A.K1Landing gear—extension/retraction system(s), indicators, float devices, brakes, antiskid, tires, nose-wheel steering, and shock absorbers.
• AA.I.A.K2Powerplant—controls and indications, induction system, carburetor and fuel injection, turbocharging, cooling, mounting points, turbine wheels, compressors, deicing, anti-icing, and other related components.
• AA.I.A.K3Propellers—type, controls, feathering/unfeathering, auto-feather, negative torque sensing, synchronizing, synchrophasing, and thrust reverse including uncommanded reverse procedures.
• AA.I.A.K4Fuel system—capacity, drains, pumps, controls, indicators, cross-feeding, transferring, jettison, fuel grade, color and additives, fueling and defueling procedures, and fuel substitutions.
• AA.I.A.K5Oil system—capacity, allowable types of oil, quantities, and indicators.
• AA.I.A.K6Hydraulic system—capacity, pumps, pressure, reservoirs, allowable types of fluid, and regulators.
• AA.I.A.K7Electrical system—alternators, generators, batteries, circuit breakers and protection devices, controls, indicators, and external and auxiliary power sources and ratings.
• AA.I.A.K8Pneumatic and environmental systems—heating, cooling, ventilation, oxygen, pressurization, supply for ice protection systems, controls, indicators, and regulating devices.
• AA.I.A.K9Avionics and communications—autopilot, flight director, Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS), Flight Management System (FMS), Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), Radar, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), SpaceBased Augmentation System (SBAS), Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS), ground-based navigation systems and components, transponder, Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) In and Out, ADS – Contract (ADS-C), traffic awareness/warning/avoidance systems, terrain awareness/warning/alert systems, communication systems (e.g., data link, UHF/VHF/HF, satellite), Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC), indicating devices, and emergency locator transmitter.
• AA.I.A.K10Ice protection—anti-ice, de-ice, pitot-static system protection, turbine inlet, propeller, windshield, airfoil surfaces, and other related components.
• AA.I.A.K11Crewmember and passenger equipment—oxygen system, survival gear, emergency exits, evacuation procedures and crew duties, quick donning oxygen mask for crewmembers, passenger oxygen system.
• AA.I.A.K12Flight controls—ailerons, elevator(s), rudder(s), control tabs, control boost/augmentation systems, flaps, spoilers, leading edge devices, speed brakes, stability augmentation system (e.g., yaw damper), and trim systems.
• AA.I.A.K13Pitot-static system with associated instruments and the power source for those flight instruments. Operation and power sources for other flight instruments.
• AA.I.A.K14Fire & smoke detection, protection, and suppression—powerplant, cargo and passenger compartments, lavatory, pneumatic and environmental, electrical/avionics, and batteries (on-aircraft and personal electronic devices).
• AA.I.A.K15Envelope protection—angle of attack warning and protection and speed protection.
• AA.I.A.K16The contents of the POH or AFM with regard to the systems and components in the airplane.
• AA.I.A.K17How to use a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and a Configuration Deviation List (CDL).

Risk Management

The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:

• AA.I.A.R1Failure to detect system malfunctions or failures.
• AA.I.A.R2Improper management of a system failure.
• AA.I.A.R3Failure to monitor and manage automated systems.
• AA.I.A.R4Failure to follow appropriate checklists or procedures.

Skills

For the airplane provided for the practical test, the applicant demonstrates the ability to:

• AA.I.A.S1Explain and describe the operation of the airplane systems and components using correct terminology.
• AA.I.A.S2Recall immediate action items or memory items, if appropriate.
• AA.I.A.S3Identify system or component limitations listed in the POH/AFM.
• AA.I.A.S4Demonstrate or describe, as appropriate, the process for deferring inoperative equipment (e.g., MEL) and using a CDL.
• AA.I.A.S5Comply with operations specifications, management specifications, and letters of authorization, if applicable.
• AA.I.A.S6Through the use of the appropriate checklists and normal and abnormal procedures, demonstrate the proper use of the airplane systems, subsystems, and devices, as determined by the evaluator.