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Dogfight: The Great ACS Debate

Flying magazine's John King and AOPA Pilot's Rod Machado debate the merits of the ACS. Tracy Boulian; David Ahntholz
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article debates the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), a new system integrating knowledge, risk management, and flight skills into pilot certification, replacing the older Practical Test Standards (PTS).
  • Proponents argue the ACS will enhance aviation safety by fostering systematic situational awareness and real-world risk management, making training more relevant and effective without increasing costs or test times.
  • Conversely, critics contend the ACS is overly complex, introduces subjective risk management evaluations, and lacks empirical evidence to support claims of accident reduction or cost-effectiveness, potentially making private pilot certification more burdensome.
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A Change for the Better

The ACS will save lives, making situational awareness a habit.

John King

John King started King Schools Inc., with his wife, Martha, in a spare bedroom of their home. Today, the school operates out of a dedicated complex in San Diego, California, that includes a video and software production facility. John and Martha have shared flying and teaching aviation for more than 50 years.

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