Each FAA practical test is conducted according to the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) specific to that certificate or rating. The ACS replaced the older Practical Test Standards (PTS) and now includes knowledge, risk management, and skill elements for each task. Here's what's covered at each level based on current FAA standards.
Private Pilot – Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-6C)
The Private Pilot ACS became effective May 31, 2024, and includes 11 areas of operation. You must demonstrate satisfactory performance in each evaluated task.
Areas of Operation
- I. Preflight Preparation: Pilot qualifications, airworthiness requirements, weather information, cross-country flight planning, national airspace system, performance and limitations
- II. Preflight Procedures: Preflight assessment, flight deck management, engine starting, taxiing, runway incursion avoidance, before takeoff check
- III. Airport Operations: Communications, traffic patterns, runway markings and signage
- IV. Takeoffs, Landings, Go-Arounds: Normal, crosswind, short-field, and soft-field operations
- V. Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers: Steep turns, ground reference maneuvers
- VI. Navigation: Pilotage, dead reckoning, navigation systems, diversion, lost procedures
- VII. Slow Flight and Stalls: Maneuvering during slow flight, power-off stalls, power-on stalls, spin awareness
- VIII. Basic Instrument Maneuvers: Straight-and-level, turns, climbs, descents, unusual attitude recovery
- IX. Emergency Operations: Emergency descent, approach and landing, systems and equipment malfunctions
- X. Multiengine Operations: (Only if applicable to aircraft category)
- XI. Postflight Procedures: After landing, parking, securing
Key Skill Standards
- Altitude: ±100 feet
- Heading: ±10°
- Airspeed: +10/-5 knots
- Steep turns: 45° bank ±5°, altitude ±100 feet, rollout on heading ±10°
Instrument Rating – Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-8C)
The Instrument Rating ACS (effective May 31, 2024) evaluates your ability to conduct IFR operations safely.
Areas of Operation
- I. Preflight Preparation: Pilot qualifications, weather information, IFR flight planning, instrument cockpit check
- II. Preflight Procedures: IFR systems operation, instrument flight deck check
- III. ATC Clearances and Procedures: Compliance with ATC clearances, holding procedures
- IV. Flight by Reference to Instruments: Basic attitude instrument flying, recovery from unusual attitudes
- V. Navigation Systems: Intercepting and tracking courses, DME arcs
- VI. Instrument Approach Procedures: Non-precision approaches (VOR, GPS, RNAV), precision approaches (ILS), circling approach, missed approach, landing from an instrument approach
- VII. Emergency Operations: Loss of communications, instrument approach with partial panel, engine failure during approach (multiengine)
- VIII. Postflight Procedures: Checking instruments and equipment
Key Skill Standards
- Altitude: ±100 feet
- Heading: ±10°
- Airspeed: ±10 knots
- CDI deflection: ½ scale or less
- Descent rates appropriate for approach segment
Commercial Pilot – Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-7B)
The Commercial Pilot ACS (effective May 31, 2024) requires higher precision and introduces performance maneuvers demonstrating mastery of aircraft control.
Areas of Operation
- I. Preflight Preparation: Pilot qualifications, airworthiness, weather analysis, cross-country flight planning, national airspace system, performance and limitations
- II. Preflight Procedures: Preflight inspection, flight deck management, engine starting, taxiing
- III. Airport Operations: Radio communications, traffic patterns
- IV. Takeoffs, Landings, Go-Arounds: Normal, crosswind, short-field, soft-field, plus power-off 180° accuracy approach and landing
- V. Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers: Steep turns, steep spirals, chandelles, lazy eights, eights on pylons
- VI. Navigation: Pilotage, dead reckoning, navigation systems, diversion
- VII. Slow Flight and Stalls: Maneuvering during slow flight, power-off/power-on stalls, accelerated stalls, spin awareness
- VIII. High-Altitude Operations: (If applicable) Supplemental oxygen, pressurization
- IX. Emergency Operations: Emergency descent, approach and landing, systems malfunctions
- X. Multiengine Operations: (If applicable) Engine failure procedures, Vmc demonstration
- XI. Postflight Procedures: After landing, parking, securing
Key Skill Standards (tighter than Private)
- Altitude: ±100 feet
- Heading: ±10°
- Airspeed: ±10 knots
- Chandelles: Rollout within ±10° of entry heading, achieving maximum pitch at 90° point
- Lazy Eights: Altitude at 180° point ±100 feet of entry, airspeed ±10 knots
- Power-off 180°: Touch down within 200 feet of designated point
Flight Instructor – Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-25)
The CFI ACS (effective May 31, 2024) is often considered the most challenging practical test. It evaluates both your flying proficiency and your ability to teach.
Areas of Operation
- I. Fundamentals of Instructing: Human behavior, learning process, effective communication, teaching methods, critique and evaluation, flight instructor characteristics and responsibilities
- II. Technical Subject Areas: All aeronautical knowledge areas at an instructional level
- III. Preflight Preparation: Certificates and documents, airworthiness, weather, performance, operation of systems
- IV. Preflight Lesson on a Maneuver: Instructional knowledge, teaching techniques
- V-XIII: Flight training areas (all Private and Commercial maneuvers taught from the right seat)
Key Requirements
- Must hold at least a Commercial Pilot certificate
- Must have received spin training and have a logbook endorsement (14 CFR §61.183)
- Must demonstrate teaching ability from the right seat
- Must show knowledge of Fundamentals of Instructing (or hold an equivalent education credential)
Flight Instructor Instrument – Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-8C)
The CFII practical test evaluates your ability to teach instrument flying. It uses the Instrument Rating ACS with additional focus on instructional elements.
Key Evaluation Areas
- Teaching instrument approach procedures from the right seat
- Demonstrating holding pattern entries and procedures
- Teaching partial panel operations
- Evaluating simulated student performance
- Explaining IFR regulations and procedures at an instructional level
Prepare for Your Specific Practical Test
At Pilot Checkride Prep, our CFIs specialize in preparing applicants for practical tests at all certificate levels. We use current ACS standards and tailor each session to your specific needs and certificate or rating sought.
Schedule your personalized prep session and get expert guidance based on FAA standards.
Keep Reading
What to Expect on Your First Checkride
Paperwork review, oral exam, and flight portion — what examiners actually evaluate.
How to Prepare for Your First Checkride
ACS-aligned study plan, oral prep, and mock flights for the final two weeks before exam day.
What You Need for Your Checkride: Complete Checklist
Documents, endorsements, and aeronautical experience required by 14 CFR Part 61.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes and general guidance. Always refer to current FAA regulations, the applicable Airman Certification Standards (ACS), and your CFI for the most up-to-date requirements specific to your certificate or rating.