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Private Pilot · Area III: Airport and Seaplane Base Operations

Task B. Traffic Patterns

FAA-S-ACS-6C · Effective 2024-05-31

Official FAA standard (PDF) ↗

Knowledge

What you should understand and be able to explain.

4 elements
  • PA.III.B.K1
    Towered and nontowered airport operations.
  • PA.III.B.K2
    Traffic pattern selection for the current conditions.
  • PA.III.B.K3
    Right-of-way rules.
  • PA.III.B.K4
    Use of automated weather and airport information.

Risk management

Risks to recognize and decisions to consider.

3 elements
  • PA.III.B.R1
    Collision hazards.
  • PA.III.B.R2
    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PA.III.B.R3
    Windshear and wake turbulence.
Skill elements and task objectives

This page covers knowledge and risk management. For the complete task, including skill standards, open the FAA document (PDF).