FlyCurrentFLYCURRENT
PA.X.D.R4FAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Risk management

Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Bottom line

CFIT often results from continued VFR flight into areas with a low ceiling or low visibility, flight at night, incorrect interpretation of a chart, flight at high density altitude, flight in mountainous terrain, or intentionally flying too low. Multiengine instructors should approach simulated engine failures below 400 feet AGL with extreme caution, and failures below 200 feet AGL should be reserved for simulators and training devices.

FAA references

  1. RMH Glossary — FAA-H-8083-2A
  2. FAA-P-8740-66, Flying Light Twins Safely — FAA-P-8740-66
  3. IFH ch. 3 (p. 3-6) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  4. AFH ch. 3 (p. 3-24) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  5. AFH ch. 13 (pp. 13-18–13-19) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  6. IFH ch. 10 (p. 10-22) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  7. IFH ch. 7 (p. 7-26) — FAA-H-8083-15B
  8. PHAK ch. 2 (p. 2-27) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  9. RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-4) — FAA-H-8083-2A
Members lesson

Build understanding you can use

Unlock the full lesson and continue studying this element.

  • Full teaching sections: Hazard; How it shows up; Decision rules; Mitigations; The hazard
  • Check your understanding with answers you can reveal
View membership options