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PPL Rotorcraft Helicopter — ACS Reference

The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) lay out exactly what the DPE will test on your checkride. Published November 2023, the FAA replaced the legacy Helicopter PTS with FAA-S-ACS-15 — Private Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter Rating ACS. The ACS adds explicit Knowledge codes, Risk Management codes, and Skills codes per Task. This page is a structured navigation map — every Task below shows its code count, primary references with hyperlinks, and a link to the relevant RotaryXC content. For the verbatim K/RM/S element list, always read the live ACS PDF — that is the source of truth and the document the DPE has open at your practical test.

Source: FAA-S-ACS-15 (current ACS, November 2023); 14 CFR § 61.107(b)(3); FAA-H-8083-21B Helicopter Flying Handbook.

How to read an ACS code

Every test element is a four-part code. PH.I.C.K2 means:

Sub-elements use lowercase letters (e.g., PH.I.B.K3a). The Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) reports missed questions as ACS codes so you know exactly which elements to drill before the practical test. Risk-Management elements with sub-bullets — the evaluator only needs to test one sub-bullet per element to satisfy the requirement.

Private Pilot Helicopter (PRH) knowledge test

Per 14 CFR § 61.39, the airman knowledge test must be passed before the practical test. Knowledge-test questions reference the same K-codes as the practical — drill the AKTR codes you missed.

Reference library

Documents cited across the Tasks below. All FAA materials are public domain.

Area I.Preflight Preparation

PH.I.A · Pilot Qualifications 5K · 2RM · 1S · p.2

Airman and medical certificates including privileges, limitations, currency, and operating as PIC under VFR.

Refs: 14 CFR Parts 61, 68, 91; AC 68-1; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ Certificates & Medical · Currency & Logbooks

PH.I.B · Airworthiness Requirements 4K · 1RM · 3S · p.2

General airworthiness, ADs, special airworthiness information bulletins, MEL/KOEL, owner/operator responsibilities, and pilot-performed preventive maintenance.

Refs: 14 CFR Parts 27, 29, 39, 43, 91; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ Aircraft Documents & Airworthiness

PH.I.C · Weather Information 4K · 2RM · 3S · p.3

Sources of weather data; METAR, SPECI, PIREP, TAF, GFA, FB, AIRMET, SIGMET, Convective SIGMET; meteorology applicable to VFR including stability, wind, turbulence, thunderstorms, microbursts, icing, fog, frost. Apply to a go/no-go decision.

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25, -28

→ PPL Weather · CPL Weather depth

PH.I.D · Cross-Country Flight Planning 6K · 7RM · 5S · p.4

Route planning with airspace consideration, altitude selection, time/distance/heading/TAS/GS calculation, fuel reserves, VFR flight plan filing/activating/closing, inflight intercept procedures, EFB use.

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AC 91-21-1; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; NOTAMs; VFR Navigation Charts

→ Flight Planning

PH.I.E · National Airspace System 4K · 1RM · 3S · p.5

Airspace classes and requirements, chart symbols, special-use airspace, SFRA, TFR, special VFR.

Refs: 14 CFR Parts 71, 91, 93; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts

→ Airspace Classes · Special-Use Airspace

PH.I.F · Performance and Limitations 5K · 8RM · 2S · p.6

Use of performance charts and tables; atmospheric, configuration, and weight effects; W&B math; H/V diagram; aerodynamic limitations including RBS and LTE.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-1, -2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Density Altitude · H/V Diagram · Weight & Balance

PH.I.G · Operation of Systems 2K · 3RM · 2S · p.7

Helicopter systems: flight controls/trim, powerplant, main rotor and antitorque, transmission, fuel/oil/hydraulic, avionics, landing gear, electrical, pitot-static and instruments, environmental, anti-/de-ice. Indications and procedures for system abnormalities.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ PPL Systems index

PH.I.H · Human Factors 4K · 4RM · 2S · p.8

Aeromedical and physiological issues (hypoxia, hyperventilation, ear/sinus, spatial disorientation, fatigue, hypothermia, optical illusions, dissolved nitrogen post-scuba); regulations on alcohol/drugs; ADM with CRM/SRM; hazardous attitudes.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ Aeromedical · ADM & CRM

Area II.Preflight Procedures

PH.II.A · Preflight Assessment 4K · 5RM · 4S · p.10

Pilot self-assessment; helicopter airworthiness determination; preflight inspection items, reasons, defect detection, regulations; environmental factors.

Refs: AC 91-32; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ PPL Checkride

PH.II.B · Flight Deck Management 4K · 3RM · 4S · p.10

Passenger briefings (incl. safety restraint use, doors, rotor blade avoidance, emergency); checklists; current navigation data; cargo/items securing; SRM/CRM application.

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ PPL Checkride

PH.II.C · Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement 4K · 3RM · 4S · p.11

Starting under various conditions, with/without external power; aborted-start conditions; positioning the helicopter for safe engagement.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Powerplant · Rotor System

PH.II.D · Before Takeoff Check 1K(3 sub) · 2RM · 5S · p.12

Purpose of checklist items, malfunction detection, manufacturer-recommended configuration; takeoff/emergency review; division of attention inside/outside the helicopter.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ PPL Checkride

Area III.Airport and Heliport Operations

PH.III.A · Runway/Taxiway/Heliport/Helipad Signs, Markings, and Lighting 2K · 5RM · 1S · p.13

Sign/marking/lighting interpretation; landing site dimensions and limitations; runway incursion and conflict avoidance.

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ Sectional Charts

PH.III.B · Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems 9K · 3RM · 3S · p.13

Frequency selection; ATC phraseology; light signals; transponder use; lost-comm procedures; loss of communication causes; radar assistance; NTSB reporting; runway status lighting.

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ Airspace classes

PH.III.C · Traffic Patterns 4K · 3RM · 6S · p.14

Towered and nontowered ops; pattern altitudes (±100 ft) and airspeed (±10 kt); right-of-way rules; fixed-wing flow avoidance per § 91.126(b)(2).

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ Helicopter Operating Rules

Area IV.Hovering Maneuvers

Note: Task D must be tested in addition if the applicant supplies a wheel-type helicopter.

PH.IV.A · Vertical Takeoff and Landing 4K · 4RM · 8S · p.15

Vertical T/O and landing from hover; effect of wind, weight, CG, ground effect. Tolerances: hover altitude ±½ that altitude within 10 ft surface (or ±5 ft if > 10 ft); position within 4 ft; heading ±10°.

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AC 90-95; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Hovering

PH.IV.B · Hover Taxi 8K · 8RM · 12S · p.15

Hover taxi procedures; clearances; runway-incursion avoidance; H/V considerations; safe taxi at towered/nontowered fields. Tolerances include ±4 ft of designated track and ±10° heading on pivot turns.

Refs: AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Hovering

PH.IV.C · Air Taxi 7K · 6RM · 7S · p.17

Air-taxi procedures; H/V considerations; airspeed and altitude selection; LTE-conducive condition avoidance. Altitude tolerance ±10 ft.

Refs: AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Hovering · LTE

PH.IV.D · Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear 6K · 6RM · 10S · p.18

Ground taxi in wheel-type helicopter (e.g., MD500 wheels, AS350 with kit, Bell wheeled variant); flight-control wind-correction; brake/cyclic/collective coordination. Tolerance: track within 4 ft.

Refs: AC 91-73; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ PPL Maneuvers index

PH.IV.E · Slope Operations 5K · 7RM · 12S · p.19

Suitable-slope selection; wind effects; dynamic-rollover considerations; manufacturer slope limits; abandon if cyclic stops reached. Heading tolerance ±10°.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Slope Operations · Dynamic Rollover

Area V.Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds

Note: evaluator selects A, B, C, D, E plus at least one other Task. Task I tested if applicant supplies a wheel-type helicopter.

PH.V.A · Normal Takeoff and Climb 2K · 6RM · 12S · p.21

Normal T/O, climb, rejected T/O. Tolerance: climb attitude/airspeed ±10 kt.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Normal Takeoff & Landing

PH.V.B · Normal and Crosswind Approach 4K · 6RM · 10S · p.22

Normal/crosswind approach; ground-track/correction; touchdown ±4 ft; awareness of wind, turbulence, VRS, wake.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Normal Takeoff & Landing

PH.V.C · Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 3K · 6RM · 7S · p.23

Max-perf T/O over an obstacle; climb attitude/airspeed ±5 kt; rotor/power management.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Max-Performance Takeoff

PH.V.D · Steep Approach 6K · 10RM · 9S · p.24

Steep approach (15° max angle); VRS awareness; LTE awareness; degraded visual environment / flat-light conditions.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Maneuvers index · VRS

PH.V.E · Go-Around 3K · 5RM · 8S · p.25

Recognition of need for go-around; timely decision; positive climb at airspeed ±10 kt; ATC coordination.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Maneuvers index

PH.V.F · Confined Area Operations 4K · 15RM · 13S · p.26

High and low recon; power-required vs power-available; suitable approach/termination/departure path selection; VRS, dynamic rollover, ground resonance, LTE awareness.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Confined Area Ops

PH.V.G · Pinnacle Operations 5K · 16RM · 12S · p.27

Pinnacle/platform approach and departure; high/low recon; wind/density-altitude analysis; same hazard list as Task F plus terrain considerations.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Mountain Flying · Maneuvers index

PH.V.H · Shallow Approach and Running/Roll-On Landing 2K · 9RM · 8S · p.29

Shallow approach; running/roll-on landing; effective translational lift through surface contact; ground track and crosswind correction.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Run-On Landing

PH.V.I · Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) 4K · 7RM · 10S · p.30

Rolling T/O in wheel-type helicopter; H/V considerations; translational-lift onset; transition to climb at ±10 kt.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Maneuvers index

Area VI.Performance Maneuvers

Note: evaluator must select Task A and at least one other Task.

PH.VI.A · Rapid Deceleration / Quick Stop 3K · 5RM · 5S · p.32

Quick-stop purpose, atmospheric effects, wind-correction technique. Heading ±10°; tail-boom clearance maintained throughout.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Maneuvers index

PH.VI.B · Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 5K · 14RM · 12S · p.32

Power-off glide ±10 kt; main rotor (Nr) in normal limits; terminate to a stabilized hover within 200 ft of designated point. Comprehensive risk: low altitude, energy management, low/high Nr, VNE, terminating, power recovery.

Refs: AC 61-140; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Full Autorotation · Autorotation Aerodynamics

PH.VI.C · Autorotation with Turns in a Single-Engine Helicopter 5K · 15RM · 13S · p.34

Autorotation with turns; roll out no lower than 300 ft AGL; same termination tolerance as Task B (200 ft of designated point).

Refs: AC 61-140; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Full Autorotation

Area VII.Navigation

PH.VII.A · Pilotage and Dead Reckoning 7K · 3RM · 8S · p.36

Pilotage by visual reference; dead-reckoning math; magnetic compass errors; checkpoint timing within 5 minutes of ETA. Altitude ±200 ft, heading ±15°. Verify position within 3 NM of planned route.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts

→ Flight Planning

PH.VII.B · Navigation Systems and Radar Services 4K · 5RM · 7S · p.37

Ground-based and satellite navigation including RAIM, course interception/tracking, transponder Mode A/C/S and ADS-B. Altitude ±200 ft, heading ±15°.

Refs: AC 91-78; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ GPS & Modern Nav

PH.VII.C · Diversion 2K · 5RM · 6S · p.38

Diversion to alternate; reasonable estimate of heading/groundspeed/arrival/fuel; weather updating in flight. Altitude ±200 ft, heading ±15°.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts

→ Flight Planning

PH.VII.D · Lost Procedures 3K · 4RM · 5S · p.38

Methods to determine position; assistance available (radar, comm); when to declare emergency. Embodies the "5 Cs": Climb, Conserve, Communicate, Confess, Comply.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts

→ Flight Planning & the 5 Cs

Area VIII.Emergency Operations

Note: Tasks G, H, I, J are tested orally only. Task C tested in addition if the applicant supplies a multiengine helicopter.

PH.VIII.A · Powerplant Failure in a Hover (Single-Engine) 5K · 5RM · 10S · p.40

Hovering autorotation; touchdown with minimum movement, no rearward; heading ±10° throughout.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Hovering Autorotation

PH.VIII.B · Powerplant Failure at Altitude (Single-Engine) 6K · 11RM · 7S · p.41

Simulated engine failure at altitude; autorotation at airspeed ±10 kt; suitable landing area selection; terminate with power recovery at safe altitude per evaluator.

Refs: AC 61-140; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Full Autorotation

PH.VIII.C · OEI Approach and Landing (Multiengine, Simulated) 4K · 4RM · 7S · p.42

OEI approach with operating powerplant in OEI limits; flight profile altitude ±200 ft, airspeed ±20 kt, heading ±10°.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Emergency Procedures

PH.VIII.D · Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 5K · 4RM · 2S · p.42

Powerplant, electrical, flight instruments, pitot-static, EFD, landing gear, hydraulic, smoke/fire; recognition and response per RFM.

Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25

→ Emergency Procedures · IFR Emergencies

PH.VIII.E · Vortex Ring State (VRS) 6K · 6RM · 6S · p.43

VRS conditions, aerodynamics, scenarios, and recovery technique. Recover no lower than 1,000 ft AGL or per RFM (whichever is higher). Recognize, announce, recover at first indication.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ VRS aerodynamics · Settling with Power (ops)

PH.VIII.F · Low Rotor RPM Recognition and Recovery 6K · 5RM · 4S · p.44

Low Nr causes, aerodynamics, and recovery; difference between low Nr and blade stall.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Emergency Procedures

PH.VIII.G · Antitorque System Failure 2K · 3RM · oral only · p.45

Antitorque failure indications; difference from mechanical flight-control failure; RFM procedures; wind conditions favoring landing.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ LTE

PH.VIII.H · Dynamic Rollover 3K · 7RM · oral only · p.46

Conditions, aerodynamics, preventive technique, recovery during slope operations. SAFO 16016 cited.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM; SAFO 16016

→ Dynamic Rollover

PH.VIII.I · Ground Resonance 3K · 3RM · oral only · p.46

Conditions, recognition, contributing factors, preventive technique; corrective actions at low and normal Nr.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Ground Resonance

PH.VIII.J · Low Gravity (G) Recognition and Recovery 3K · 3RM · oral only · p.47

Low-G aerodynamics, contributing situations, mast bumping potential; control inputs to avoid and recover.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Emergency Procedures

PH.VIII.K · Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear 3K · 1RM · 2S · p.47

ELT operations; fire extinguisher; survival gear for climate extremes / mountainous / overwater operations; 48–72 hour survival readiness.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Mountain Flying

Area IX.Night Operations

PH.IX.A · Night Operations 9K · 7RM · oral only · p.49

Vision physiology; equipment requirements per § 91.205(c); lighting systems; night orientation and chart-reading; visual illusions; night currency vs proficiency.

Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ Night Flying

Alaska applicants: see 14 CFR § 61.110 for night-flight training waiver provisions.

Area X.Postflight Procedures

PH.X.A · After Landing, Parking, and Securing 2K · 4RM · 5S · p.50

Helicopter shutdown, securing, postflight inspection; minimize hazardous downwash effects; document discrepancies and servicing requirements; safe parking.

Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM

→ PPL Checkride

Practical test outcomes & next steps

Combined Private + Instrument practical test possible per 14 CFR § 61.65(a) and (g) — must pass all areas of both ACS documents (FAA-S-ACS-15 + Instrument Rating Helicopter ACS).