Answers to the ACS

Answers to the ACS Answers to the ACS is your solution to the FAA Airman Certification Standards.

08/14/2026

In this video the DPE proposes a common scenario in which I am landing behind a Cessna Citation and how I would identify, assess, and mitigate the risks involved with wake turbulence.

Risk Element 2d for all takeoff and landing tasks in the Private and Commercial Pilot Airplane ACS covers wake turbulence.

Identify: Wake turbulence can cause loss of control and/or an unusual attitude i.e. “flipping you over.”

Assess: This has the potential to result in a catastrophic (fatal) accident, so it needs to be taken seriously.

Mitigate: The goal is to stay above the Citation’s flightpath and touch down beyond where it touches down. This is because wake turbulence in the form of wingtip vortices sinks and spreads out.

Most jets typically fly a 3-degree glideslope, so a PAPI or some other visual glidepath system can provide a reference for staying above their flightpath. They also often touch down around the aiming point markings, so this is what you can expect, but watch where they actually touch down and make a mental note of it.

This is a practical example of applying risk management and the kind of decision-making DPEs want to see on a checkride.

07/30/2026

Per PA.I.H.S2, you must perform a fitness for flight assessment and present this to the examiner. Here, Josh Minze, owner of Fort Worth Flight school and our acting DPE, asks for mine. This is where IMSAFE comes in:

Illness: A fever is an obvious no-go. But even a little congestion can be painful and might result in ear block.

Medication: If you’re taking any medication, make sure it’s acceptable for flying (i.e. no sedating antihistamines) and abide by any waiting periods.

Stress: A checkride is a major source of stress. Acknowledge it honestly.

Alcohol: 8 hours bottle to throttle, and don’t be hung over.

Fatigue: You’re probably cramming the night before the checkride, but do your best to get good sleep and make a realistic assessment of your fatigue level on the day of.

Eating: Make sure you’ve eaten and are hydrated. Some sources state ‘emotion’ for the E, but this is included in stress and would leave IMSAFE without a check for nourishment which is critical.

Before asking whether the airplane is ready, make sure YOU are ready too.

See the complete Private and Commercial Pilot Checkride Video Series in the Answers to the ACS app.

07/27/2026

This is the checkride.

The Answers to the ACS Checkride Video Series follows a complete checkride from the oral, to the flight, all the way to the examiner’s debrief. Broken up into 30+ bite sized, professional quality videos so you don’t have to scrub a casual 2-hour mock oral. Every question and maneuver action is tied to an ACS element which will be displayed on screen when covered.

Created in collaboration with Fort Worth Flight School, whose owner, aircraft, and training environment helped bring the checkride experience to life. I am proud of what we created together.

The Private and Commercial Pilot Checkride Video Series are available in the Answers to the ACS app, which you can download from the App Store. Stay tuned for more clips from the series and some behind-the-scenes conversations.

A consistent, disciplined procedure for entering or crossing runways is a great habit even in GA. You’ll find it in the ...
01/21/2026

A consistent, disciplined procedure for entering or crossing runways is a great habit even in GA. You’ll find it in the ACS under PA.II.D.K6c and CA.II.D.K6c: “Procedures for entering or crossing runways.” An easy way to remember it is the 5Cs:

-Clear - scan right and left (final and upwind) for traffic.

-Confirm - verify you’re crossing/entering the correct runway (e.g., 18R).

-Crank - all lights on (strobes, nav, landing/taxi) to improve visibility whether it’s day or night.

-Communicate - ensure you have ATC clearance or make the proper CTAF transmission.

-Cross - cross or enter the runway.

If an examiner asks what your runway crossing/entry procedures are on a checkride, this is a solid, structured answer. If you don’t have a checkride coming up, you can add this to your toolbox.

Many airlines are adopting threat-forward briefings.Historically, operational briefings (takeoff/approach) focused solel...
01/07/2026

Many airlines are adopting threat-forward briefings.

Historically, operational briefings (takeoff/approach) focused solely on the technical aspects of what the crew is about to do. Courses, frequencies, reject procedures. These tend to be repetitive, and the other crewmember zones out after 10 seconds.

Threat-forward briefings emphasize the unique threats for that specific flight. The technical aspects are still there, but deemphasized since they are repetitive.

This is one of the useful things that can be brought from the airlines to GA flight training.

As part of the pre lesson briefing, flight instructors should discuss threats/risks and how to mitigate them with their students.

These can be risk elements for specific maneuvers from the ACS or broad ones like temperature and density altitude.

Let’s say it’s a hot day. If you have an engine failure and have to put it down in a field, it may be hours before assistance arrives. Are you carrying enough water for this situation or do you just have half of a plastic water bottle?

If you’re a CFI, do you bring this kind of “threat-forward” thinking into your pre-lesson briefings? If so, how are you doing it today?

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