FAA Airman Certification Standards Code
CH.I.C — Weather Information
Commercial Pilot Helicopter · Area of Operation I: Preflight Preparation · Standard: FAA-S-ACS-16
What does ACS code CH.I.C cover?
ACS Code CH.I.C covers "Weather Information" under Area of Operation I (Preflight Preparation) for the FAA Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificate (FAA-S-ACS-16). 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-16 (Commercial Pilot Helicopter)
- Area of Operation: Area I — Preflight Preparation
- Task: Task C — Weather Information
- 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
- CH.I.C.K1: Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
- CH.I.C.K2: Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:
- CH.I.C.K2a: a. Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)
- CH.I.C.K2b: b. Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)
- CH.I.C.K2c: c. Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
- CH.I.C.K2d: d. Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
- CH.I.C.K2e: e. Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)
- CH.I.C.K2f: f. Convective Outlook (AC)
- CH.I.C.K2g: g. Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
- CH.I.C.K3: Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination under visual flight rules (VFR) in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), including expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
- CH.I.C.K3a: a. Atmospheric composition and stability
- CH.I.C.K3b: b. Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)
- CH.I.C.K3c: c. Temperature and heat exchange
- CH.I.C.K3d: d. Moisture/precipitation
- CH.I.C.K3e: e. Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
- CH.I.C.K3f: f. Clouds
- CH.I.C.K3g: g. Turbulence
- CH.I.C.K3h: h. Thunderstorms and microbursts
- CH.I.C.K3i: i. Icing and freezing level information
- CH.I.C.K3j: j. Fog/mist
- CH.I.C.K3k: k. Frost
- CH.I.C.K3l: l. Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
- CH.I.C.K4: Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
Risk Management Elements
- CH.I.C.R1: Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
- CH.I.C.R1a: a. Circumstances that would make diversion prudent
- CH.I.C.R1b: b. Personal weather minimums
- CH.I.C.R1c: c. Hazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
- CH.I.C.R2: Use and limitations of:
- CH.I.C.R2a: a. Installed onboard weather equipment
- CH.I.C.R2b: b. Aviation weather reports and forecasts
- CH.I.C.R2c: c. Inflight weather resources
How do I study CH.I.C?
- Read each element for CH.I.C in FAA-S-ACS-16 and note any you cannot explain in your own words.
- Study each one in the FAA source it points to: the handbook chapter, the 14 CFR section or the AIM paragraph.
- Practice with questions tagged CH.I.C, and read the explanation for every miss.
- Retest, then review the ACS codes you still miss on your practice test report.
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