FAA Airman Certification Standards Code
CH.VII.B — Navigation Systems and Radar Services
Commercial Pilot Helicopter · Area of Operation VII: Navigation · Standard: FAA-S-ACS-16
What does ACS code CH.VII.B cover?
ACS Code CH.VII.B covers "Navigation Systems and Radar Services" 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 B — Navigation Systems and Radar Services
- 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.B.K1: Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
- CH.VII.B.K2: Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
- CH.VII.B.K3: Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
- CH.VII.B.K4: Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Risk Management Elements
- CH.VII.B.R1: Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
- CH.VII.B.R2: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- CH.VII.B.R3: Limitations of the navigation system in use.
- CH.VII.B.R4: Loss of a navigation signal.
- CH.VII.B.R5: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
How do I study CH.VII.B?
- Read each element for CH.VII.B 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.B, 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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