The Coming Airman Certification Standards

The practical test standards (PTS) spell out the requirements for successfully completing an FAA checkride for pilot certificates and ratings. They have been around for nearly 30 years and, while an improvement over the previous flight test guides, they did not fundamentally alter the manner in which the applicant demonstrates compliance with the regulations. The general aviation community and FAA are developing a new concept of airman testing that will be embodied in completely new airman certification standards (ACS). The ACS, when implemented, will require applicants to integrate their knowledge, skills and risk management proficiency to demonstrate to the examiner they can do more than just perform standard training procedures and maneuvers.

Key Takeaways:

• The FAA is replacing the outdated Practical Test Standards (PTS) with new Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to address persistent general aviation safety issues, particularly those related to pilot factors and inadequate risk management.
• The ACS fundamentally changes pilot testing by integrating knowledge, flight skills, and critical risk management proficiency, moving beyond simple procedural performance to better prepare pilots for real-world scenarios.
• This initiative is a proactive step by the FAA and aviation community, recognizing that advanced aircraft technology alone hasn't reduced accident rates without corresponding improvements in pilot training.
• Initially focusing on private pilot and instrument ratings, the ACS aims to create a more realistic and effective evaluation system, with potential future implications for existing pilots through programs like the WINGS program.

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