CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 26

Preflight prep continues with subsections on
airworthiness, where the skills include knowing
the proper procedures for an inoperative
equipment scenario; weather information,
where risk management includes identifying
"circumstances that would make diversion
prudent"; cross-country flight planning, where
students are expected to know how to convert
arrival time to UTC; the national airspace system,
where the skills include being able to "identify"
VFR weather minimums for various types of
airspace; and performance and limitations-
which includes weight and balance computations
for "all phases of flight."
THE PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES SECTION
Now we're on the ramp, where there are six
subsections of the test. Operation of systems deals
with the architecture of the airplane: the primary
and secondary flight controls; the powerplant
and props; the fuel, oil, hydraulic, and electrical
systems; the pitot-static system; and more. The
ACS lists 12 systems and requires the examiner
to assess at least three. Applicants are expected to
have a good knowledge of the system, understand
how to detect failure or malfunction, and to
demonstrate the system's proper operation.
The preflight section of the test also has
subsections on human factors, which includes
knowledge of the impact of nutrition on pilot
performance; the physical preflight itself,

where skills include verifying that the airplane
"conforms to its type design"; flight deck
management, which includes the passenger
briefing; engine starting which we detailed
in Part 1 of this series (see CFItoCFI Volume
10 Issue 2); taxiing, where applicants are
expected to use an airport diagram; before
takeoff check (a.k.a. runup), which includes
wake turbulence awareness, the proper
response to an unexpected runway change
from ATC, and the ability to "divide attention
inside and outside the flight deck."

WILL AND MUST AIN'T A MUSICAL GROUP
Lastly today, know that the use of the word "will"
or "must" in the ACS signals mandatory elements
for the examiner. And speaking of language,
you might think that the word "may" suggests
something optional, but in fact we are told in
the ACS introduction that "may" really means:
Recommended, but not required.

This section also lists the knowledge, risk
management issues, and skills related to seaplane
ops, because-although I doubt it's common-it's
actually possible and legal to get your private pilot
ticket flying only a seaplane.

William E. Dubois (Race 53) is an aviation
writer, world speed record holder, and two-time
National Champion air racer. He teaches Rusty
Pilot seminars for AOPA and blogs his personal
flying adventures at www.PlaneTales.net

THE AIRPORT OPERATIONS SECTION
This section is a shorty, with only two subsections.
One deals with communication, light signals, and
runway lighting systems; the other with traffic
patterns-which should be maintained ± 100 feet
and ± 10 knots of the appropriate airspeed. Any
surprises? Communication risk management
includes "failure to recognize and declare an
emergency," and, of course, skills include selecting
the appropriate radio frequency.

IGNORING THE APPENDIXES OF THE
ACS WOULD BE A GRAVE DISSERVICE
TO YOUR STUDENTS, AS THERE'S
A TON OF INFORMATION WORTH
KNOWING IN THE BACK OF EACH ACS.

And speaking of tuning the radio...

Next time: We take flight with the ACS.
http://www.PlaneTales.net
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3
