Register

New ACS for Nearly Every Pilot Category Now in Effect

New certification standards are in effect for every pilot category except remote pilots and aviation mechanics.

FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. [Credit: Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • New Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and Practical Test Standards (PTS) for most aviation categories went into effect on May 31.
  • Instructors, learner pilots, and DPEs must familiarize themselves with these updates, which cover various pilot ratings (e.g., ATP, Commercial, Instrument, Private) and flight instructor certifications.
  • The Aviation Mechanic and Remote Pilot categories are the only exceptions, remaining unaffected by these recent changes.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Instructors, learner pilots, and DPEs alike will need to brush up on the new Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and a couple of Practical Test Standards (PTS) that went into effect nearly across the board May 31.

The two unaffected categories are those of Aviation Mechanic (ACS-1) and Remote Pilot (ACS-10B).

Amy Wilder

Amy Wilder fell in love with airplanes at age 8 when her brother-in-law took her up in a Cessna 172. Pretty soon, Amy's bedroom walls were covered with images of vintage airplanes, and she was convinced she'd be a bush pilot in Alaska one day. She became a journalist instead, which is also somewhat impractical—but with fewer bears. Now she's working on her private pilot certificate and ready to be a lifelong student of the art of flying.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE