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Area IV of 11

Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds

20% of the Private Pilot test, about 12 of the 60 questions. The FAA's test standard lists 14 tasks and 52 knowledge elements and 170 risk management elements for this area. Here is every one, plus sample questions to try.

What the FAA tests

From the Private Pilot Airplane test standard, FAA-S-ACS-6C.

Task A. Normal Takeoff and Climb

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.A.K1Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • PA.IV.A.K2Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • PA.IV.A.K3Appropriate airplane configuration.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task B. Normal Approach and Landing

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.B.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IV.B.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • PA.IV.B.K3Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task C. Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb (ASEL)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.C.K1Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • PA.IV.C.K2Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • PA.IV.C.K3Appropriate airplane configuration.
  • PA.IV.C.K4Ground effect.
  • PA.IV.C.K5Importance of weight transfer from wheels to wings.
  • PA.IV.C.K6Left turning tendencies.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task D. Soft-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.D.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IV.D.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • PA.IV.D.K3Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task E. Short-Field Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASEL, AMEL)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.E.K1Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • PA.IV.E.K2Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • PA.IV.E.K3Appropriate airplane configuration.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task F. Short-Field Approach and Landing (ASEL, AMEL)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.F.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IV.F.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • PA.IV.F.K3Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task G. Confined Area Takeoff and Maximum Performance Climb (ASES, AMES)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.G.K1Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • PA.IV.G.K2Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • PA.IV.G.K3Appropriate airplane configuration.
  • PA.IV.G.K4Effects of water surface.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task H. Confined Area Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.H.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IV.H.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • PA.IV.H.K3Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task I. Glassy Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.I.K1Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • PA.IV.I.K2Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • PA.IV.I.K3Appropriate airplane configuration.
  • PA.IV.I.K4Appropriate use of glassy water takeoff and climb technique.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

  • PA.IV.I.R1Selection of takeoff path based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, and available distance.
  • PA.IV.I.R2Water surface/condition.
  • PA.IV.I.R3Abnormal operations, including planning for:
  • PA.IV.I.R3aRejected takeoff
  • PA.IV.I.R3bPotential engine failure in takeoff/climb phase of flight
  • PA.IV.I.R4Collision hazards.
  • PA.IV.I.R5Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • PA.IV.I.R6Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PA.IV.I.R7Gear position in an amphibious airplane.

Task J. Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.J.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IV.J.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • PA.IV.J.K3When and why glassy water techniques are used.
  • PA.IV.J.K4How a glassy water approach and landing is executed.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

  • PA.IV.J.R1Selection of approach path and touchdown area based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, and available distance.
  • PA.IV.J.R2Water surface/condition.
  • PA.IV.J.R3Planning for a go-around and rejected landing.
  • PA.IV.J.R4Collision hazards.
  • PA.IV.J.R5Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • PA.IV.J.R6Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PA.IV.J.R7Gear position in an amphibious airplane.

Task K. Rough Water Takeoff and Climb (ASES, AMES)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.K.K1Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on takeoff and climb performance.
  • PA.IV.K.K2Best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY).
  • PA.IV.K.K3Appropriate airplane configuration.
  • PA.IV.K.K4Appropriate use of rough water takeoff and climb technique.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task L. Rough Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.L.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IV.L.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • PA.IV.L.K3Wind correction techniques on approach and landing.
  • PA.IV.L.K4When and why rough water techniques are used.
  • PA.IV.L.K5How to perform a proper rough water approach and landing.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

Task M. Forward Slip to a Landing (ASEL, ASES)

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.M.K1Concepts of energy management during a forward slip approach.
  • PA.IV.M.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.
  • PA.IV.M.K3Wind correction techniques during forward slip.
  • PA.IV.M.K4When and why a forward slip approach is used during an approach.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

  • PA.IV.M.R1Selection of runway/landing surface, approach path, and touchdown area based on pilot capability, aircraft performance and limitations, available distance, and wind.
  • PA.IV.M.R2Effects of:
  • PA.IV.M.R2aCrosswind
  • PA.IV.M.R2bWindshear
  • PA.IV.M.R2cTailwind
  • PA.IV.M.R2dWake turbulence
  • PA.IV.M.R2eLanding surface/condition
  • PA.IV.M.R3Planning for:
  • PA.IV.M.R3aRejected landing and go-around
  • PA.IV.M.R3bLand and hold short operations (LAHSO)
  • PA.IV.M.R4Collision hazards.
  • PA.IV.M.R5Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • PA.IV.M.R6Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PA.IV.M.R7Forward slip operations, including fuel flowage, tail stalls with flaps, and airspeed control.
  • PA.IV.M.R8Surface contact with the airplane’s longitudinal axis misaligned.
  • PA.IV.M.R9Unstable approach.

Task N. Go-Around/Rejected Landing

Knowledge: what you must know

  • PA.IV.N.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
  • PA.IV.N.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind and density altitude, on a go-around or rejected landing.
  • PA.IV.N.K3Wind correction techniques on takeoff/departure and approach/landing.

Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage

  • PA.IV.N.R1Delayed recognition of the need for a go-around/rejected landing.
  • PA.IV.N.R2Delayed performance of a go-around at low altitude.
  • PA.IV.N.R3Power application.
  • PA.IV.N.R4Configuring the airplane.
  • PA.IV.N.R5Collision hazards.
  • PA.IV.N.R6Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • PA.IV.N.R7Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PA.IV.N.R8Runway incursion.
  • PA.IV.N.R9Managing a go-around/rejected landing after accepting a LAHSO clearance.

Try a sample question

Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds · PA.IV.D.K1

What is the main difference between a normal approach and a soft-field approach and landing in how the pilot manages power?

Practice all of takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds

The full course has questions on every element listed here, with an explanation and FAA source for each.

See the courseFree mock test