Part 4 covers Task D: Cross-Country Flight Planning — one of the most hands-on tasks of the oral exam. I demonstrate live route planning in ForeFlight, cover the important 2024 ACS note that computer-generated flight plans are now acceptable, and walk through altitude selection, fuel calculations, and the EFB risk management checklist.

ACS Elements at a Glance

PA.I.D.K1 Route planning (airspace, nav facilities, special use airspace)
PA.I.D.K1a Use of an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), if used
PA.I.D.K2 Altitude selection (terrain, glide distance, VFR cruising altitudes, wind)
PA.I.D.K3a–c Calculating time, course, groundspeed, ETA (UTC), and fuel requirements
PA.I.D.K4–K5 Elements of a VFR flight plan; procedures to activate and close
PA.I.D.R1–R7 PAVE checklist factors, ATC limitations, EFB limitations, fuel planning risks
PA.I.D.S1–S6 Plan, calculate fuel, file, interpret charts, apply publications

2024 ACS change: A new note states that “preparation, presentation, and explanation of a computer-generated flight plan is an acceptable option.” You no longer need to show longhand math or a paper backup. But if you bring an EFB, you’re opening yourself up to questions about it — so make sure you actually know how to use it.

EFB Risk Management

ForeFlight has a built-in preflight checklist that verifies your data is current, downloads are complete, weather is briefed, and weight & balance is done. I walk through this checklist live in the video. For the checkride, have a primary iPad and a backup device (iPhone or second iPad) — don’t let your EFB be a single point of failure.

VSL ACE Guide

The ACE Guide links each flight planning element directly to the relevant FAR, AIM section, or handbook chapter. Every reference is one tap away — no hunting through five different PDFs.

Get the ACE Guide

Decoding the Private Pilot ACS — Full Series

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