Private Pilot for Airplane CategoryFAA-S-ACS-6C
Area of Operation VIII
Basic Instrument Maneuvers
6 Tasks
Task A Straight-and-Level Flight
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flying during straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Maintain straight-and-level flight using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated control application.
Maintain altitude ±200 feet, heading ±20°, and airspeed ±10 knots.
Task B Constant Airspeed Climbs
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed climbs solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Transition to the climb pitch attitude and power setting on an assigned heading using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated flight control application.
Climb at a constant airspeed to specific altitudes in straight flight and turns.
Level off at the assigned altitude and maintain altitude ±200 feet, heading ±20°, and airspeed ±10 knots.
Task C Constant Airspeed Descents
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during constant airspeed descents solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Transition to the descent pitch attitude and power setting on an assigned heading using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated flight control application.
Descend at a constant airspeed to specific altitudes in straight flight and turns.
Level off at the assigned altitude and maintain altitude ±200 feet, heading ±20°, and airspeed ±10 knots.
Task D Turns to Headings
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying during turns to headings solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Flight instruments as they relate to:
a. Instrument limitations and potential errors
b. Indication of the aircraft attitude
c. Function and operation
d. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Risk Management
Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Fixation and omission.
Instrument Interpretation.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Trimming the aircraft.
Skills
Turn to headings, maintain altitude ±200 feet, maintain a standard rate turn, roll out on the assigned heading ±10°, and maintain airspeed ±10 knots.
Task E Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/Flight Manual
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with attitude instrument flying while recovering from unusual attitudes solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Prevention of unusual attitudes, including flight causal, physiological, and environmental factors, and system and equipment failures.
a. [Archived]
b. [Archived]
c. [Archived]
d. [Archived]
Procedures for recovery from unusual attitudes in flight.
Procedures available to safely regain visual meteorological conditions (VMC) after flight into inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions or unintended instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC)/(UIMC).
Appropriate use of automation, if applicable.
Risk Management
Situations that could lead to loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) or unusual attitudes in-flight (e.g., stress, task saturation, inadequate instrument scan distractions, and spatial disorientation).
[Archived]
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Interpreting flight instruments.
[Archived]
Operating envelope considerations.
Control input errors, inducing undesired aircraft attitudes.
Assessment of the unusual attitude.
Control application solely by reference to instruments.
Skills
Use proper instrument cross-check and interpretation to identify an unusual attitude (including both nose-high and nose-low) in flight, and apply the appropriate flight control, power input, and aircraft configuration in the correct sequence, to return to a stabilized level flight attitude.
Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Task F Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services
References
FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with radio communications, navigation systems/facilities, and radar services available for use during flight solely by reference to instruments.
Knowledge
Operating communications equipment, including identifying and selecting radio frequencies, requesting and following air traffic control (ATC) instructions.
Operating navigation equipment, including functions and displays, and following bearings, radials, or courses.
Air traffic control facilities and services.
Risk Management
When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Using available resources (e.g., automation, ATC, and flight deck planning aids).
Skills
Maintain airplane control while selecting proper communications frequencies, identifying the appropriate facility, and managing navigation equipment.
Comply with ATC instructions.
[Archived]