Flight Deck Management
Private Pilot ACS · Area II · Task B · 14 CFR 91, POH/AFM, FAA-H-8083-3
Everything you need to know about Flight Deck Management for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task II-B, covering flight deck management.
Passenger Briefing §
Required per 14 CFR 91.107. Must cover: identify the PIC, seatbelts (when to use), shoulder harnesses, how to operate doors (including emergency exit), no smoking, propeller blade avoidance during boarding and deplaning, and emergency procedures.
Brief passengers: where fire extinguisher is, how to communicate with you during flight, what to do if you become incapacitated.
Brief passengers: where fire extinguisher is, how to communicate with you during flight, what to do if you become incapacitated.
14 CFR 91.107; ACS PA.II.B.S2
Checklist Discipline §
Use checklists — never memory alone. The ACS expects demonstrated checklist discipline. Two types of checklists:
Do-list: Work through items in order (starting, runup).
Challenge-response: One person reads, one responds (common in training).
Never skip items. If interrupted, return to the beginning of the current section. Checklists exist because memory is unreliable under stress.
Do-list: Work through items in order (starting, runup).
Challenge-response: One person reads, one responds (common in training).
Never skip items. If interrupted, return to the beginning of the current section. Checklists exist because memory is unreliable under stress.
AIM Appendix 2 (Safety of Flight); ACS PA.II.B.K2
Positive Exchange of Controls §
Standard three-step procedure:
1. Transferring pilot: "You have the controls."
2. Receiving pilot: "I have the controls." (physically takes controls)
3. Transferring pilot: "You have the controls." (confirms)
Never release controls until receiving pilot acknowledges. Prevents dual-input or zero-input. Required any time control is transferred between pilot and instructor or between pilots.
1. Transferring pilot: "You have the controls."
2. Receiving pilot: "I have the controls." (physically takes controls)
3. Transferring pilot: "You have the controls." (confirms)
Never release controls until receiving pilot acknowledges. Prevents dual-input or zero-input. Required any time control is transferred between pilot and instructor or between pilots.
ACS Appendix 2; AFH Ch.2
EFB & Automation Management §
If using an EFB: configure and test before engine start, not while taxiing. Verify currency of charts and data. Have a backup plan (paper chart, downloaded approach plates) for device failure.
Automation traps: Do not let automation divert attention from flying the aircraft. Verify GPS/EFB inputs match your intentions. Mode awareness is critical — know what the autopilot/GPS is doing at all times.
Automation traps: Do not let automation divert attention from flying the aircraft. Verify GPS/EFB inputs match your intentions. Mode awareness is critical — know what the autopilot/GPS is doing at all times.
ACS PA.II.B.K4, PA.II.B.R1