What Private Pilots Need to Know About FAA's New ACS

The updated Airman Certification Standards now include more scenarios, weather, and new codes.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, June 04, 2024 at 12:19 PM ET

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The ACS contains the minimum standards that a pilot must meet for certification. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has released an updated Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for private pilots, introducing new knowledge codes and moving some non-regulatory material to a companion guide.
The revised ACS emphasizes a comprehensive approach to pilot training, detailing knowledge, risk management, and skills for each task, and increasing focus on scenario-based training.
The update highlights the critical need for a thorough understanding of weather and cross-country flight planning, moving beyond superficial knowledge.
Both flight instructors and students are encouraged to use the ACS from the beginning of training to ensure standards are met, build confidence, and avoid last-minute surprises before the check ride.

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The FAA has released the latest edition of the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for private pilots. The 87-page ACS, which went into effect Friday, may be found online or at pilot supply shops. With the exception of the syllabus, it is often the most neglected FAA publication.

The FAA updates the ACS document used to determine that an applicant has achieved at least the minimum standards required for certification, yet many learners—and CFIs—are reluctant to review it until training is almost completed. It can be a rude surprise when they discover that the maneuver they have been doing the same way since they learned it doesn’t meet the standard as set forth in the ACS.