PH.I.D — Cross-Country Flight Planning

What does ACS code PH.I.D cover?

ACS Code PH.I.D covers "Cross-Country Flight Planning" under Area of Operation I (Preflight Preparation) for the FAA Private Pilot Helicopter certificate (FAA-S-ACS-15). 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-15 (Private Pilot Helicopter)
• 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

• PH.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.
• PH.I.D.K1a: a. Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used
• PH.I.D.K2: Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, autorotation requirements of the helicopter, VFR cruising altitudes, and the effect of wind.
• PH.I.D.K3: Calculating:
• PH.I.D.K3a: a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
• PH.I.D.K3b: b. Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
• PH.I.D.K3c: c. Fuel requirements, including reserve
• PH.I.D.K4: Elements of a VFR flight plan.
• PH.I.D.K5: Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.
• PH.I.D.K6: Inflight intercept procedures.

Risk Management Elements

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

How do I study PH.I.D?

1. Read each element for PH.I.D in FAA-S-ACS-15 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 PH.I.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: PH.I.C — Weather Information
• Next task: PH.I.E — National Airspace System
• Same area: PH.I.A — Pilot Qualifications
• Same area: PH.I.B — Airworthiness Requirements
• Same area: PH.I.C — Weather Information
• Same area: PH.I.E — National Airspace System
• Same area: PH.I.F — Performance and Limitations
• Same area: PH.I.G — Operation of Systems