FAA Airman Certification Standards Code
CH.III.C — Traffic Patterns
Commercial Pilot Helicopter · Area of Operation III: Airport and Heliport Operations · Standard: FAA-S-ACS-16
What does ACS code CH.III.C cover?
ACS Code CH.III.C covers "Traffic Patterns" under Area of Operation III (Airport and Heliport Operations) 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 III — Airport and Heliport Operations
- Task: Task C — Traffic Patterns
- 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.III.C.K1: Towered and nontowered airport/heliport/helipad/landing area operations and restrictions.
- CH.III.C.K2: Traffic pattern for the current conditions.
- CH.III.C.K3: Right-of-way rules.
- CH.III.C.K4: Use of automated weather and airport/heliport information.
Risk Management Elements
- CH.III.C.R1: Collision hazards.
- CH.III.C.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- CH.III.C.R3: Windshear and wake turbulence.
How do I study CH.III.C?
- Read each element for CH.III.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.III.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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