Get Ready for the ACS – Airman Certification Standards! These represent exciting improvements are on the horizon for airman testing and training.

Effective June 15, applicants for the private pilot certificate (airplane category) and the instrument rating (airplane category) will use the corresponding airman certification standards (ACS) in lieu of the practical test standards (PTS).

Developed by an FAA collaboration with a diverse group of aviation industry experts, the ACS is an enhanced version of the PTS. The ACS integrates and clearly defines the aeronautical knowledge and risk management elements that support each PTS skill task. It also incorporates today’s PTS “special emphasis” items into the appropriate ACS task. The ACS thus offers clear guidance on what an applicant must know (SKILL), consider (RISK MANAGEMENT), and do (SKILL) to qualify for certificate or rating.

For detailed information on the ACS, please visit the Airman Testing web page (http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/) and watch this space for updates as the ACS effective date approaches.