PA.I.D — Cross-Country Flight Planning

What does ACS code PA.I.D cover?

ACS Code PA.I.D covers "Cross-Country Flight Planning" under Area of Operation I (Preflight Preparation) for the FAA Private Pilot Airplane certificate (FAA-S-ACS-6C). 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-6C (Private Pilot Airplane)
• Area of Operation: Area I — Preflight Preparation
• Task: Task D — Cross-Country Flight Planning
• 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

• PA.I.D.K1: Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.
• PA.I.D.K1a: a. Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used
• PA.I.D.K2: Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of airplane, VFR cruising altitudes, and effect of wind.
• PA.I.D.K3: Calculating:
• PA.I.D.K3a: a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
• PA.I.D.K3b: b. Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
• PA.I.D.K3c: c. Fuel requirements, including reserve
• PA.I.D.K4: Elements of a VFR flight plan.
• PA.I.D.K5: Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.
• PA.I.D.K6: Inflight intercept procedures.

Risk Management Elements

• PA.I.D.R1: Pilot.
• PA.I.D.R2: Aircraft.
• PA.I.D.R3: Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
• PA.I.D.R4: External pressures.
• PA.I.D.R5: Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
• PA.I.D.R6: Fuel planning.
• PA.I.D.R7: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.

How do I study PA.I.D?

1. Read each element for PA.I.D in FAA-S-ACS-6C and note any you cannot explain in your own words.
2. Study each one in the FAA source it points to: the handbook chapter, the 14 CFR section or the AIM paragraph.
3. Practice with questions tagged PA.I.D, and read the explanation for every miss.
4. Retest, then review the ACS codes you still miss on your practice test report.

New to ACS codes? How the FAA ACS works and how to read your codes →

Related ACS tasks

• Previous task: PA.I.C — Weather Information
• Next task: PA.I.E — National Airspace System
• Same area: PA.I.A — Pilot Qualifications
• Same area: PA.I.B — Airworthiness Requirements
• Same area: PA.I.C — Weather Information
• Same area: PA.I.E — National Airspace System
• Same area: PA.I.F — Performance and Limitations
• Same area: PA.I.G — Operation of Systems