New ACS Changes and How They’ll Affect Your Next Checkride – Jason Blair + GA News Aviation News Talk podcast

Max and Jason Blair discuss recent changes in the FAA's aviation testing standards, notably the transition from PTS to ACS. Key updates include the conversion of the CFI test to ACS, introducing scenario-driven evaluations. New maneuvers, such as demonstrating flight characteristics under various conditions, have been added for CFIs. Instructors can now use pre-developed lesson plans, easing the preparation burden.

Instrument rating changes allow using approaches with decision altitudes like LNAV/VNAV and mandate partial panel approaches to reflect real emergency scenarios. GPS databases must remain current. For commercial pilots, precision in power-off 180-degree landings is emphasized, and understanding ballistic parachute systems is required.

These updates aim to modernize testing, aligning it with current industry practices and technology without drastically altering training content. The use of electronic flight bags (EFB) for planning and in-flight operations is now permitted, enhancing practicality. Jason assures that these changes will improve the evaluation process while maintaining consistency with previous standards, providing a seamless transition for candidates.

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