PH.II.A — Preflight Assessment

What does ACS code PH.II.A cover?

ACS Code PH.II.A covers "Preflight Assessment" under Area of Operation II (Preflight Procedures) 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 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

• PH.II.A.K1: Pilot self-assessment.
• PH.II.A.K2: Determining that the helicopter to be used is in an airworthy condition.
• PH.II.A.K3: Helicopter preflight inspection, including:
• PH.II.A.K3a: a. Which items should be inspected
• PH.II.A.K3b: b. The reasons for checking each item
• PH.II.A.K3c: c. How to detect possible defects
• PH.II.A.K3d: d. The associated regulations
• PH.II.A.K4: Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.

Risk Management Elements

• PH.II.A.R1: Pilot.
• PH.II.A.R2: Aircraft.
• PH.II.A.R3: Environment (e.g., weather, icing, airports/heliports/helipads/landing areas, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
• PH.II.A.R4: External pressures.
• PH.II.A.R5: Aviation security concerns.

How do I study PH.II.A?

1. Read each element for PH.II.A 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.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: PH.I.H — Human Factors
• Next task: PH.II.B — Flight Deck Management
• Same area: PH.II.B — Flight Deck Management
• Same area: PH.II.C — Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement
• Same area: PH.II.D — Before Takeoff Check