ACS — CERTIFICATION STANDARD

PA.I.I — Task I — Water and Seaplane Characteristics, Seaplane Bases, Maritime Rules, and Aids to Marine Navigation (ASES, AMES)

FAA-S-ACS-6C — Area of Operation I

Official ACS text — PA.I.I

ACS — CERTIFICATION STANDARD

References: AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM; USCG Navigation Rules

Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with water and seaplane characteristics, seaplane bases, maritime rules, and aids to marine navigation.

Knowledge — The applicant demonstrates understanding of:

PA.I.I.K1 The characteristics of a water surface as affected by features, such as:

PA.I.I.K1a a. Size and location

PA.I.I.K1b b. Protected and unprotected areas

PA.I.I.K1c c. Surface wind

PA.I.I.K1d d. Direction and strength of water current

PA.I.I.K1e e. Floating and partially submerged debris

PA.I.I.K1f f. Sandbars, islands, and shoals

PA.I.I.K1g g. Vessel traffic and wakes

PA.I.I.K1h h. Other characteristics specific to the area

PA.I.I.K1i i. Direction and height of waves

PA.I.I.K2 Float and hull construction, and its effect on seaplane performance.

PA.I.I.K3 Causes of porpoising and skipping, and the pilot action needed to prevent or correct these occurrences.

PA.I.I.K4 How to locate and identify seaplane bases on charts or in directories.

PA.I.I.K5 Operating restrictions at various bases.

PA.I.I.K6 Right-of-way, steering, and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operation.

PA.I.I.K7 Marine navigation aids, such as buoys, beacons, lights, sound signals, and range markers.

PA.I.I.K8 Naval vessel protection zones.

PA.I.I.K9 No wake zones.

Risk Management — The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:

PA.I.I.R1 Local conditions.

PA.I.I.R2 Impact of marine traffic.

PA.I.I.R3 Right-of-way and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operations.

PA.I.I.R4 Limited services and assistance available at seaplane bases.

Skills — The applicant exhibits the skill to:

PA.I.I.S1 Assess the water surface characteristics for the proposed flight.

PA.I.I.S2 Identify restrictions at local seaplane bases. Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C) 10

PA.I.I.S3 Identify marine navigation aids.

PA.I.I.S4 Describe correct right-of-way, steering, and sailing operations.

PA.I.I.S5 Explain how float and hull construction can affect seaplane performance.

PA.I.I.S6 Describe how to correct for porpoising and skipping. Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C) 11

Reproduced from FAA-S-ACS-6C, Change 1 (November 2023). Verify against the official document before relying on it.

Is this a regulation?

No — this is a certification standard, not a regulation.

Airman Certification Standards. The ACS defines what an applicant must know, consider and do to pass a practical test. It is a certification standard, not a regulation.