Private Pilot ‒ Airplane — Airman Certification Standards

Every area of operation and task in the Private Pilot ‒ Airplane ACS. Open a task to see its knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.

I. Preflight Preparation

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

II. Preflight Procedures

• PPL.II.A — Preflight Assessment
• PPL.II.B — Flight Deck Management
• PPL.II.C — Engine Starting
• PPL.II.D — Taxiing
• PPL.II.E — Taxiing and Sailing
• PPL.II.F — Before Takeoff Check

III. Airport and Seaplane Base Operations

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

IV. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds

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

V. Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers

• PPL.V.A — Steep Turns
• PPL.V.B — Ground Reference Maneuvers

VI. Navigation

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

VII. Slow Flight and Stalls

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

VIII. Basic Instrument Maneuvers

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

IX. Emergency Operations

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

X. Multiengine Operations

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

XI. Night Operations

• PPL.XI.A — Night Preparation

XII. Postflight Procedures

• PPL.XII.A — After Landing, Parking and Securing
• PPL.XII.B — Seaplane Post-Landing Procedures