Airman Certification Standards
ACS CA.VI.C
Diversion
Knowledge
Selecting an alternate destination.
Situations that require deviations from flight plan or air traffic control (ATC) instructions.
Risk Management
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
Selecting an appropriate airport or seaplane base.
Using available resources (e.g., automation, ATC, and flight deck planning aids).
Skill
Select a suitable destination and route for diversion.
Make a reasonable estimate of heading, groundspeed, arrival time, and fuel required to the “divert to” destination.
Maintain the appropriate altitude, ±100 feet and heading, ±10°.
Update/interpret weather in flight.
Use displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, as applicable to maintain situational awareness.
Promptly divert toward the destination.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.