The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) are a series of documents created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that define the testing requirements for pilot certificates and ratings. They replaced the previous Practical Testing Standards (PTS) in 2011 to modernize and integrate the knowledge and practical components of pilot testing.

Structure and Purpose

The ACS provides a clear, objective framework for pilot certification, reducing the subjectivity of individual examiners. Each document is specific to a particular certificate, such as the “Private Pilot – Airplane: Airman Certification Standards,” and even includes standards for various aircraft classes (e.g., Airplane Single Engine Land and Airplane Multi Engine Sea).

The ACS is organized into chapters that correspond to different phases of flight, such as:

• Preflight Preparation
• Airport Operations
• Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
• Emergency Operations

Within each chapter, specific tasks are outlined, with each task further defined by Knowledge, Risk Management, and Skills objectives. The Skills objectives include detailed performance standards that an applicant must meet. For example, the ACS specifies that a private pilot landing must result in “Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 400 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path.”

Beyond the core tasks, the ACS also contains valuable supplementary information, including guidance on how to use the document, exam procedures, and a checklist of required items for the practical test.

The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) represent a modern and systematic approach to pilot testing, providing a single, comprehensive document that unifies knowledge, risk management, and practical skills. By moving beyond the outdated PTS, the FAA has created a more objective and consistent certification process. For any aspiring pilot, a thorough understanding of the ACS—including its performance standards and supplementary sections—is essential for success, ensuring they are well-prepared not just for the test, but for the inherent challenges of flight.