PA.IV.M.R6FAA-S-ACS-6C · 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. When a work overload situation exists, a pilot needs to stop, think, slow down, and prioritize.

FAA references

  1. PHAK ch. 2 (p. 2-24) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  2. PHAK ch. 2 (p. 2-22) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  3. RMH ch. 6 (p. 6-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
  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. 5, Human Factors (p. 5-2) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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