PA.I.I — Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation

What does ACS code PA.I.I cover?

ACS Code PA.I.I covers "Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation" 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 I — Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)
• 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.I.K1: The characteristics of a water surface as affected by features, such as:
• PA.I.I.K1a: a. Size and location
• PA.I.I.K1b: b. Protected and unprotected areas
• PA.I.I.K1c: c. Surface wind
• PA.I.I.K1d: d. Direction and strength of water current
• PA.I.I.K1e: e. Floating and partially submerged debris
• PA.I.I.K1f: f. Sandbars, islands, and shoals
• PA.I.I.K1g: g. Vessel traffic and wakes
• PA.I.I.K1h: h. Other characteristics specific to the area
• PA.I.I.K1i: i. Direction and height of waves
• PA.I.I.K2: Float and hull construction, and its effect on seaplane performance.
• PA.I.I.K3: Causes of porpoising and skipping, and the pilot action needed to prevent or correct these occurrences.
• PA.I.I.K4: How to locate and identify seaplane bases on charts or in directories.
• PA.I.I.K5: Operating restrictions at various bases.
• PA.I.I.K6: Right-of-way, steering, and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operation.
• PA.I.I.K7: Marine navigation aids, such as buoys, beacons, lights, sound signals, and range markers.
• PA.I.I.K8: Naval vessel protection zones.
• PA.I.I.K9: No wake zones.

Risk Management Elements

• PA.I.I.R1: Local conditions.
• PA.I.I.R2: Impact of marine traffic.
• PA.I.I.R3: Right-of-way and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operations.
• PA.I.I.R4: Limited services and assistance available at seaplane bases.

How do I study PA.I.I?

1. Read each element for PA.I.I 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.I, 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.H — Human Factors
• Next task: PA.II.A — Preflight Assessment
• 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.D — Cross-Country Flight Planning
• Same area: PA.I.E — National Airspace System
• Same area: PA.I.F — Performance and Limitations