FAA Airman Certification Standards Code
PH.II.D — Before Takeoff Check
Private Pilot Helicopter · Area of Operation II: Preflight Procedures · Standard: FAA-S-ACS-15
What does ACS code PH.II.D cover?
ACS Code PH.II.D covers "Before Takeoff Check" 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 D — Before Takeoff Check
- 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.D.K1: Purpose of before takeoff checklist items, including:
- PH.II.D.K1a: a. Reasons for checking each item
- PH.II.D.K1b: b. Detecting malfunctions
- PH.II.D.K1c: c. Configuring the helicopter as recommended by the manufacturer
Risk Management Elements
- PH.II.D.R1: Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
- PH.II.D.R2: Unexpected or unclear clearances from ATC.
How do I study PH.II.D?
- Read each element for PH.II.D in FAA-S-ACS-15 and note any you cannot explain in your own words.
- Study each one in the FAA source it points to: the handbook chapter, the 14 CFR section or the AIM paragraph.
- Practice with questions tagged PH.II.D, and read the explanation for every miss.
- Retest, then review the ACS codes you still miss on your practice test report.
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