CA.V.E — Eights on Pylons

What does ACS code CA.V.E cover?

ACS Code CA.V.E covers "Eights on Pylons" 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 E — Eights on Pylons (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.E.K1: Purpose of eights on pylons.
• CA.V.E.K2: Aerodynamics associated with the eights on pylons, including coordinated and uncoordinated flight.
• CA.V.E.K3: Pivotal altitude and factors that affect it.
• CA.V.E.K4: Effect of wind on ground track.
• CA.V.E.K5: Phases of the eights on pylons maneuver from entry to recovery.

Risk Management Elements

• CA.V.E.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
• CA.V.E.R2: Collision hazards.
• CA.V.E.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
• CA.V.E.R4: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
• CA.V.E.R5: Uncoordinated flight.
• CA.V.E.R6: Energy management.
• CA.V.E.R7: Emergency landing considerations.

How do I study CA.V.E?

1. Read each element for CA.V.E 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.E, and read the explanation for every miss.
4. Retest, then review the ACS codes you still miss on your practice test report.

New to ACS codes? How the FAA ACS works and how to read your codes →

Related ACS tasks

• Previous task: CA.V.D — Lazy Eights
• Next task: CA.VI.A — Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
• Same area: CA.V.A — Steep Turns
• Same area: CA.V.B — Steep Spiral
• Same area: CA.V.C — Chandelles
• Same area: CA.V.D — Lazy Eights