FAA Airman Certification Standards Code
PH.IV.A — Vertical Takeoff and Landing
Private Pilot Helicopter · Area of Operation IV: Hovering Maneuvers · Standard: FAA-S-ACS-15
What does ACS code PH.IV.A cover?
ACS Code PH.IV.A covers "Vertical Takeoff and Landing" under Area of Operation IV (Hovering Maneuvers) 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 IV — Hovering Maneuvers
- Task: Task A — Vertical Takeoff and Landing
- 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.IV.A.K1: Elements related to a vertical takeoff to a hover and landing from a hover.
- PH.IV.A.K2: Effect of wind on flight control inputs.
- PH.IV.A.K3: Effect of weight and balance and various centers of gravity.
- PH.IV.A.K4: Ground effect.
Risk Management Elements
- PH.IV.A.R1: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
- PH.IV.A.R2: Dynamic rollover.
- PH.IV.A.R3: Ground resonance.
- PH.IV.A.R4: Powerplant failure during hover.
How do I study PH.IV.A?
- Read each element for PH.IV.A 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.IV.A, 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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