ACS reference

What the ACS covers

The FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) describe the knowledge, risk management, and skill standards used for specified airman certification practical tests. Each document is certificate- or rating-specific. Use the current ACS and its published addenda for the test you are preparing to take.

An ACS is a study framework, not a substitute for instruction, aircraft procedures, or the examiner's evaluation. This site links to topic-oriented study references. It does not reproduce the FAA standards or claim to predict the exact questions or tasks on a practical test.

Choose an airplane ACS reference

• Private pilot airplane: organize private pilot airplane preparation by the applicable ACS areas and tasks.
• Instrument rating airplane: review instrument rating study priorities and source material.
• Commercial pilot airplane: review commercial pilot airplane study priorities and source material.

The FAA publishes current ACS documents, revision information, and related testing resources on its Airman Certification Standards page. Check that page before studying from a downloaded copy. A newer edition or addendum may change the applicable standard.

How to use an ACS during study

Start with the cover page and applicability information. Confirm the certificate or rating, aircraft category and class, document revision, and addenda. Do not assume that a document for a different category, class, or certificate applies to your practical test.

Use the ACS areas and tasks to organize lessons with your instructor. For each task, identify the knowledge elements, risk management elements, and skill elements in the official document. Connect those standards to current regulations, FAA handbooks, weather products, charts, and the aircraft's approved information. The ACS gives a structure for preparation, but a checklist alone cannot establish proficiency.

Keep notes about topics that need more practice and ask your instructor to review them. For aircraft-specific tasks, use the POH or AFM for the airplane being used. For regulatory topics, follow the cited regulation and current FAA guidance rather than relying on a paraphrased note.

Official source and scope

The FAA is the controlling source for the current ACS document and any associated addenda. These pages are independently written study aids and are not FAA publications. They do not provide exam answers, certify readiness, or guarantee that a particular question or maneuver will appear.

For training and reference only. Confirm the applicable ACS edition with the FAA and prepare with an authorized instructor.

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