PA.IX.D — Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear

What does ACS code PA.IX.D cover?

ACS Code PA.IX.D covers "Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear" under Area of Operation IX (Emergency Operations) 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 IX — Emergency Operations
• Task: Task D — Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
• 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.IX.D.K1: Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operations, limitations, and testing requirements.
• PA.IX.D.K2: Fire extinguisher operations and limitations.
• PA.IX.D.K3: Emergency equipment and survival gear needed for:
• PA.IX.D.K3a: a. Climate extremes (hot/cold)
• PA.IX.D.K3b: b. Mountainous terrain
• PA.IX.D.K3c: c. Overwater operations
• PA.IX.D.K4: When to deploy a ballistic parachute and associated passenger briefings, if equipped.
• PA.IX.D.K5: When to activate an emergency auto-land system and brief passengers, if equipped.

Risk Management Elements

• PA.IX.D.R1: Survival gear (water, clothing, shelter) for 48 to 72 hours.
• PA.IX.D.R2: Use of a ballistic parachute system.
• PA.IX.D.R3: Use of an emergency auto-land system, if installed.

How do I study PA.IX.D?

1. Read each element for PA.IX.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.IX.D, 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.IX.C — Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
• Next task: PA.IX.E — Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated)
• Same area: PA.IX.A — Emergency Descent
• Same area: PA.IX.B — Emergency Approach and Landing (Simulated)
• Same area: PA.IX.C — Systems and Equipment Malfunctions
• Same area: PA.IX.E — Engine Failure During Takeoff Before VMC (Simulated)
• Same area: PA.IX.F — Engine Failure After Liftoff (Simulated)
• Same area: PA.IX.G — Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated)