PA.II.A — Preflight Assessment

What does ACS code PA.II.A cover?

ACS Code PA.II.A covers "Preflight Assessment" under Area of Operation II (Preflight Procedures) 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 II — Preflight Procedures
• Task: Task A — Preflight Assessment
• 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.II.A.K1: Pilot self-assessment.
• PA.II.A.K2: Determining that the airplane to be used is appropriate and airworthy.
• PA.II.A.K3: Airplane preflight inspection, including:
• PA.II.A.K3a: a. Which items should be inspected
• PA.II.A.K3b: b. The reasons for checking each item
• PA.II.A.K3c: c. How to detect possible defects
• PA.II.A.K3d: d. The associated regulations
• PA.II.A.K4: Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.

Risk Management Elements

• PA.II.A.R1: Pilot.
• PA.II.A.R2: Aircraft.
• PA.II.A.R3: Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
• PA.II.A.R4: External pressures.
• PA.II.A.R5: Aviation security concerns.

How do I study PA.II.A?

1. Read each element for PA.II.A 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.II.A, and read the explanation for every miss.
4. Retest, then review the ACS codes you still miss on your practice test report.

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Related ACS tasks

• Previous task: PA.I.I — Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation
• Next task: PA.II.B — Flight Deck Management
• Same area: PA.II.B — Flight Deck Management
• Same area: PA.II.C — Engine Starting
• Same area: PA.II.D — Taxiing
• Same area: PA.II.E — Taxiing and Sailing
• Same area: PA.II.F — Before Takeoff Check