FAA Airman Certification Standards Code
CH.IX.A — Confined Area Operations
Commercial Pilot Helicopter · Area of Operation IX: Special Operations · Standard: FAA-S-ACS-16
What does ACS code CH.IX.A cover?
ACS Code CH.IX.A covers "Confined Area Operations" under Area of Operation IX (Special 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 IX — Special Operations
- Task: Task A — Confined Area Operations
- 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.IX.A.K1: Effects of wind, weight, temperature, and density altitude.
- CH.IX.A.K2: Situations when a confined area approach and landing is recommended and factors related to landing performance including H/V diagram information.
- CH.IX.A.K3: High and low reconnaissance, including takeoff and departure planning.
- CH.IX.A.K4: Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
Risk Management Elements
- CH.IX.A.R1: Selection of approach path, termination point and departure path based on aircraft performance and limitations, wind, and availability of alternate sites.
- CH.IX.A.R2: Effects of:
- CH.IX.A.R2a: a. Wind Direction
- CH.IX.A.R2b: b. Windshear
- CH.IX.A.R2c: c. Turbulence
- CH.IX.A.R3: H/V diagram information.
- CH.IX.A.R4: Go-around.
- CH.IX.A.R5: Forced landing during the maneuver.
- CH.IX.A.R6: Landing surface.
- CH.IX.A.R7: Dynamic rollover.
- CH.IX.A.R8: Ground resonance.
- CH.IX.A.R9: Low rotor rpm.
- CH.IX.A.R10: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
- CH.IX.A.R11: Collision hazards.
- CH.IX.A.R12: Vortex ring state (VRS).
- CH.IX.A.R13: Aircraft limitations.
- CH.IX.A.R14: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- CH.IX.A.R15: Power requirements versus power available for the departure or arrival profile(s).
How do I study CH.IX.A?
- Read each element for CH.IX.A 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.IX.A, 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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