Airman Certification Standards
ACS AA.II.E
Before Takeoff Checks
Knowledge
Purpose of pre-takeoff checklist items, including:
a. Reasons for checking each item
b. Detecting malfunctions
c. Ensuring the aircraft is in safe operating condition
Deicing and anti-icing procedures, holdover times, and pre-takeoff contamination check.
Adverse weather considerations for performance on takeoff (e.g., snow, ice, gusting crosswinds, low- visibility).
Items to be included in a before takeoff briefing.
Risk Management
Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
An unexpected change in the runway to be used for departure.
Using performance data to set airspeeds and flight instruments for actual conditions and the departure runway.
Setting navigation and communication equipment for departure.
Configuring autopilot and flight director for departure.
Adverse weather conditions prior to takeoff (e.g., snow, ice, gusting crosswinds, low-visibility).
Potential powerplant failure during takeoff or other malfunction considering operational factors such as airplane characteristics, runway/takeoff path length, surface conditions, environmental conditions, and obstructions.
Skill
Determine the airplane’s takeoff performance for actual conditions and planned departure runway or waterway.
Coordinate with crew, if applicable, and complete the appropriate checklist(s) prior to takeoff in a timely manner.
Determine all systems checked are within an acceptable operating range and are safe for the proposed flight. During the checks, explain at the request of the evaluator, any system operating characteristic or limitation and any corrective action for a malfunction.
Determine airspeeds/V-speeds and set flight instruments appropriately, configure flight director, autopilot, and navigation and communication equipment for the current flight conditions and takeoff and departure clearances.
Conduct a briefing that includes procedures for emergency and abnormal situations (e.g., powerplant failure, windshear), which may be encountered during takeoff, and state the planned action if they were to occur.
Obtain and correctly interpret the takeoff and departure clearance. 18
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.