CA.V.B — Steep Spiral

What does ACS code CA.V.B cover?

ACS Code CA.V.B covers "Steep Spiral" under Area of Operation V (Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers) for the FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane certificate (FAA-S-ACS-7B). Candidates are tested on knowledge elements and risk management factors defined in 14 CFR regulations and FAA handbooks (PHAK / AFH).

Task Specification & Required References

• ACS Document: FAA-S-ACS-7B (Commercial Pilot Airplane)
• Area of Operation: Area V — Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers
• Task: Task B — Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES)
• Primary FAA Sources: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3) / Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21), Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28), 14 CFR Parts 61, 91 & 107, Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).

Airman Certification Standards Elements

Knowledge Elements

• CA.V.B.K1: Relationship to emergency landing procedures.
• CA.V.B.K2: Maintaining a constant radius about a point.
• CA.V.B.K3: Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.

Risk Management Elements

• CA.V.B.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
• CA.V.B.R2: Collision hazards.
• CA.V.B.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
• CA.V.B.R4: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
• CA.V.B.R5: Uncoordinated flight.
• CA.V.B.R6: Effects of wind.
• CA.V.B.R7: Airframe or airspeed limitations.

How do I study CA.V.B?

1. Read each element for CA.V.B in FAA-S-ACS-7B and note any you cannot explain in your own words.
2. Study each one in the FAA source it points to: the handbook chapter, the 14 CFR section or the AIM paragraph.
3. Practice with questions tagged CA.V.B, and read the explanation for every miss.
4. Retest, then review the ACS codes you still miss on your practice test report.

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Related ACS tasks

• Previous task: CA.V.A — Steep Turns
• Next task: CA.V.C — Chandelles
• Same area: CA.V.A — Steep Turns
• Same area: CA.V.C — Chandelles
• Same area: CA.V.D — Lazy Eights
• Same area: CA.V.E — Eights on Pylons