FAA Airman Certification Standards Code
CH.VII.A — Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
Commercial Pilot Helicopter · Area of Operation VII: Navigation · Standard: FAA-S-ACS-16
What does ACS code CH.VII.A cover?
ACS Code CH.VII.A covers "Pilotage and Dead Reckoning" under Area of Operation VII (Navigation) 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 VII — Navigation
- Task: Task A — Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
- 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.VII.A.K1: Pilotage and dead reckoning.
- CH.VII.A.K2: Magnetic compass errors.
- CH.VII.A.K3: Topography.
- CH.VII.A.K4: Selection of appropriate:
- CH.VII.A.K4a: a. Route
- CH.VII.A.K4b: b. Altitude(s)
- CH.VII.A.K4c: c. Checkpoints
- CH.VII.A.K5: Plotting a course, including:
- CH.VII.A.K5a: a. Determining heading, speed, and course
- CH.VII.A.K5b: b. Wind correction angle
- CH.VII.A.K5c: c. Estimating time, speed, and distance
- CH.VII.A.K5d: d. True airspeed and density altitude
- CH.VII.A.K6: Power setting selection.
- CH.VII.A.K7: Planned calculations versus actual results and required corrections.
Risk Management Elements
- CH.VII.A.R1: Collision hazards.
- CH.VII.A.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- CH.VII.A.R3: Unplanned fuel/power consumption, if applicable.
How do I study CH.VII.A?
- Read each element for CH.VII.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.VII.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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