AI.VII.I.R6FAA-S-ACS-25 · Nov 2023Risk management

Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

Bottom line

A contributing factor in many accidents is a distraction that diverts the pilot's attention from monitoring the instruments or scanning outside the aircraft. When a pilot becomes task saturated, there is no awareness of input from various sources, so decisions may be made on incomplete information and the possibility of error increases. By planning ahead, a pilot can effectively reduce workload during critical phases of flight and prevent erosion of performance.

FAA references

  1. SEA ch. 4 (p. 4-15) — FAA-H-8083-23
  2. PHAK ch. 2 (p. 2-22) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  3. PHAK ch. 2 (p. 2-24) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  4. AIM 7-6-14 (Flying in Flat Light, Brown Out Conditions, and White Out Conditions) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  5. AFH ch. 2 (p. 2-14) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  6. AFH ch. 5, Human Factors (p. 5-3) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  7. RMH ch. 6 (p. 6-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
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