CA.VII.E — Spin Awareness

What does ACS code CA.VII.E cover?

ACS Code CA.VII.E covers "Spin Awareness" under Area of Operation VII (Slow Flight and Stalls) 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 VII — Slow Flight and Stalls
• Task: Task E — Spin Awareness
• 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.VII.E.K1: Aerodynamics associated with spins in various airplane configurations, including the relationship between angle of attack, airspeed, load factor, power setting, airplane weight and center of gravity, airplane attitude, and yaw effects.
• CA.VII.E.K2: What causes a spin and how to identify the entry, incipient, and developed phases of a spin.
• CA.VII.E.K3: Spin recovery procedure.

Risk Management Elements

• CA.VII.E.R1: Factors and situations that could lead to inadvertent spin and loss of control.
• CA.VII.E.R2: Range and limitations of stall warning indicators (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).
• CA.VII.E.R3: Spin recovery procedure.
• CA.VII.E.R4: Effect of environmental elements on airplane performance related to spins (e.g., turbulence, microbursts, and high-density altitude).
• CA.VII.E.R5: Collision hazards.
• CA.VII.E.R6: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

How do I study CA.VII.E?

1. Read each element for CA.VII.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.VII.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.VII.D — Accelerated Stalls
• Next task: CA.VIII.A — Supplemental Oxygen
• Same area: CA.VII.A — Maneuvering During Slow Flight
• Same area: CA.VII.B — Power-Off Stalls
• Same area: CA.VII.C — Power-On Stalls
• Same area: CA.VII.D — Accelerated Stalls