Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter — ACS Reference
The Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter Airman Certification Standards are the official task-by-task standards for the CPL helicopter practical test. Published April 2024 (effective 31 May 2024), the FAA replaced the legacy Commercial Helicopter PTS (FAA-S-8081-16B) with FAA-S-ACS-16 — Commercial Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter Rating ACS. This page is a structured navigation map — every Task below shows its code, title, page reference, objective, primary references, and a link to the relevant course content. For the verbatim K/RM/S element list, always read the live ACS PDF — that is the source of truth and the document the DPE has open at your practical test.
Source: FAA-S-ACS-16 (current ACS, April 2024, effective 31 May 2024); 14 CFR § 61.127(b); FAA-H-8083-21B Helicopter Flying Handbook.
What's different from PPL ACS: Adds Night Operations as Task I.I (preflight planning depth); reorganizes Confined Area + Pinnacle into a separate Area IX. Special Operations; adds basic instrument competency in Area VIII (Tasks L & M — Flight by Reference to Instruments and Recovery from Unusual Attitudes). All other Areas mirror the PPL ACS structure with commercial-level standards.
How to read an ACS code
Every test element is a four-part code:
- CH Which ACS — Commercial Helicopter. Change these two letters and the same Area, Task and element number point at a different certificate.
- I Area of Operation — a Roman numeral, I–X. These follow the order of the practical test.
- C Task within that Area — a capital letter. One Task is one line item on the plan of action.
- K2 Element type and number. The letter says what kind of element it is; the number is its position in that Task's list.
- K Knowledge
- R Risk Management
- S Skill
A trailing lowercase letter marks a sub-element: CH.I.B.K3a is the first bullet under element K3. Where a Risk Management element has sub-bullets, the evaluator only has to test one of them to satisfy the element.
The Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR) reports every missed question as an ACS code, so the written test hands you the exact list of elements to drill before the practical.
Commercial Pilot Helicopter (CRH) knowledge test
- Test code: CRH
- Questions: 100
- Time allotted: 3.0 hours
- Passing score: 70%
- Minimum age (knowledge test): none. § 61.35 sets no age floor for a knowledge test — the only age in it is 18, and that applies solely to the ATP airplane-multiengine test. What it does require, at (a)(3)(iii)(A), is identification whose date of birth shows you meet or will meet the age requirement for the certificate sought before the knowledge test report expires. That report is good for 24 calendar months (§ 61.39(a)(1)(i)), so a 16-year-old may legally sit the commercial written provided they turn 18 inside that window. The “16” that circulates in study material is the student-pilot age from § 61.83(a), not a knowledge-test rule.
- Minimum age (commercial certificate): 18 (per § 61.123)
Per 14 CFR § 61.39, the knowledge test must be passed before the practical. An applicant adding the helicopter category to an existing certificate complies with § 61.63.
Reference library
Documents cited across the Tasks below. All FAA materials are public domain.
- 14 CFR Part 27 — Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft
- 14 CFR Part 29 — Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Rotorcraft
- 14 CFR Part 39 — Airworthiness Directives
- 14 CFR Part 43 — Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, Alteration
- 14 CFR Part 61 — Pilot Certification (esp. § 61.123 / § 61.127 / § 61.129)
- 14 CFR Part 68 — BasicMed
- 14 CFR Part 71 — Designation of Class A, B, C, D, E Airspace
- 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating & Flight Rules
- 14 CFR Part 93 — Special Air Traffic Rules
- AC 61-140A — Autorotation Training
- AC 68-1A — BasicMed
- AC 90-95 — Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters
- AC 91.21-1D — Use of Portable Electronic Devices Aboard Aircraft
- AC 91-32B — Safety in and Around Helicopters
- AC 91-73B — Procedures During Taxi Operations
- AC 91-78A — Use of Class 1 / Class 2 Electronic Flight Bags
- AC 91-92 — Pilot's Guide to a Preflight Briefing
- AIM — Aeronautical Information Manual
- FAA-H-8083-1 — Weight & Balance Handbook
- FAA-H-8083-2 — Risk Management Handbook
- FAA-H-8083-15 — Instrument Flying Handbook
- FAA-H-8083-21B — Helicopter Flying Handbook
- FAA-H-8083-25 — Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK)
- FAA-H-8083-28 — Aviation Weather Handbook
- SAFO 16016 — Dynamic Rollover
Each Task shows its element counts as K (Knowledge), RM (Risk Management) and S (Skills), followed by the printed page in the ACS PDF. Counts are the number of distinct element codes, which is not always the highest number: the ACS occasionally skips one. Where a Task reads “S1 intentionally left blank”, that is the ACS’s own wording — the Task is examined orally and has no testable Skills element.
Area I.Preflight Preparation
CH.I.A · Pilot Qualifications 5K · 2RM · 1S · p.2
Commercial pilot certificate privileges/limitations, currency, recordkeeping, and medical certificate requirements (commercial requires at least second-class for compensation/hire ops).
Refs: 14 CFR Parts 61, 68, 91; AC 68-1A; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
CH.I.B · Airworthiness Requirements 4K · 1RM · 3S · p.2
General airworthiness, ADs, MEL/KOEL, owner/operator responsibilities, and pilot-performed preventive maintenance — at commercial-operations depth.
Refs: 14 CFR Parts 27, 29, 39, 43, 91; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
CH.I.C · Weather Information 4K · 2RM · 3S · p.3
Weather products, meteorology, and go/no-go decision making at commercial-operations depth — multiplied exposure across more flights and routes.
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AC 91-92; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25, -28
CH.I.D · Cross-Country Flight Planning 6K · 7RM · 5S · p.4
Route planning, altitude selection, performance calc, fuel reserves, VFR flight plan, intercept procedures, EFB use — for commercial XC operations.
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AC 91.21-1; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; NOTAMs; VFR Navigation Charts
CH.I.E · National Airspace System 4K · 1RM · 3S · p.5
Airspace classes and requirements, special-use airspace, SFRA, TFR, special VFR — at the level needed to operate commercially in any class of airspace.
Refs: 14 CFR Parts 71, 91, 93; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts
CH.I.F · Performance and Limitations 4K · 8RM · 2S · p.6
Performance charts/tables, atmospheric and configuration effects, W&B math, H/V diagram, RBS and LTE limits — applied to commercial-load operations.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-1, -2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.I.G · Operation of Systems 2K · 3RM · 2S · p.7
Helicopter systems: flight controls/trim, powerplant, rotor and antitorque, transmission, fuel/oil/hydraulic, avionics, electrical, instruments, environmental, anti-/de-ice. Indications and procedures for system abnormalities.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.I.H · Human Factors 4K · 4RM · 2S · p.8
Aeromedical and physiological issues, fitness, regulations on alcohol/drugs, ADM with CRM/SRM, hazardous attitudes — at commercial-operations level.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
CH.I.I · Night Operations 9K · 7RM · S1 intentionally left blank — oral only · p.9NEW vs PPL
Night-flight planning, vision physiology, equipment per § 91.205(c), lighting systems, night orientation, illusions, currency vs proficiency. (PPL placed Night Ops in its own Area IX; CPL collapses it into Preflight Preparation.)
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Area II.Preflight Procedures
CH.II.A · Preflight Assessment 4K · 5RM · 4S · p.10
Pilot self-assessment; helicopter airworthiness determination; preflight inspection items, defect detection, regulations; environmental factors.
Refs: AC 91-32B; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.II.B · Flight Deck Management 4K · 3RM · 4S · p.10
Passenger briefing (commercial-pax considerations), checklists, current navigation data, cargo securing, SRM/CRM application.
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.II.C · Powerplant Starting and Rotor Engagement 4K · 3RM · 4S · p.11
Starting under various conditions, with/without external power; aborted-start conditions; positioning the helicopter for safe engagement.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.II.D · Before Takeoff Check 1K · 2RM · 5S · p.12
Purpose of checklist items, malfunction detection, manufacturer-recommended configuration; takeoff and emergency review.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Area III.Airport and Heliport Operations
CH.III.A · Runway/Taxiway/Heliport/Helipad Signs, Markings, and Lighting 2K · 5RM · 1S · p.13
Sign/marking/lighting interpretation; landing site dimensions and limitations; runway incursion and conflict avoidance.
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
CH.III.B · Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems 9K · 3RM · 3S · p.13
Frequencies, ATC phraseology, light signals, transponder use, lost-comm procedures, NTSB reporting, runway status lighting.
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
CH.III.C · Traffic Patterns 4K · 3RM · 6S · p.14
Towered and nontowered ops; pattern altitudes (±100 ft) and airspeed (±10 kt); fixed-wing flow avoidance per § 91.126(b)(2).
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
Area IV.Hovering Maneuvers
Note: Task D must be tested in addition if the applicant supplies a wheel-type helicopter.
CH.IV.A · Vertical Takeoff and Landing 4K · 4RM · 8S · p.15
Vertical T/O and landing from hover. Tolerance: hover ±½ altitude within 10 ft surface (or ±5 ft if >10 ft); position within 4 ft; heading ±10°.
Refs: 14 CFR Part 91; AC 90-95; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.IV.B · Hover Taxi 8K · 8RM · 12S · p.15
Hover taxi procedures, clearances, runway-incursion avoidance, H/V considerations. Track ±4 ft, heading ±10° on pivot turns.
Refs: AC 91-73B; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.IV.C · Air Taxi 7K · 6RM · 7S · p.17
Air-taxi procedures, H/V considerations, airspeed/altitude selection, LTE-conducive condition avoidance. Altitude ±10 ft.
Refs: AC 91-73B; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.IV.D · Taxiing with Wheel-Type Landing Gear 6K · 6RM · 10S · p.18
Ground taxi in wheel-type helicopter; flight-control wind correction; brake/cyclic/collective coordination. Track ±4 ft.
Refs: AC 91-73B; AIM; Chart Supplements; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.IV.E · Slope Operations 5K · 7RM · 12S · p.19
Slope selection, wind effects, dynamic-rollover considerations, manufacturer slope limits. Heading ±10°.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Area V.Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
Note: Confined Area + Pinnacle moved to Area IX (Special Operations) at the CPL level.
CH.V.A · Normal Takeoff and Climb 2K · 6RM · 12S · p.21
Normal T/O, climb, rejected T/O. Climb attitude/airspeed ±10 kt.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.V.B · Normal and Crosswind Approach 4K · 6RM · 10S · p.22
Normal/crosswind approach, ground-track correction, touchdown ±4 ft; awareness of wind, turbulence, VRS, wake.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.V.C · Maximum Performance Takeoff and Climb 3K · 6RM · 7S · p.23
Max-perf T/O over an obstacle; climb attitude/airspeed ±5 kt; rotor/power management.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.V.D · Steep Approach 6K · 10RM · 9S · p.24
Steep approach (15° max angle); VRS awareness; degraded visual environment / flat-light awareness.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.V.E · Rolling Takeoff (Wheel-Type Landing Gear) 4K · 7RM · 10S · p.25
Rolling T/O in wheel-type helicopter; H/V considerations; translational-lift onset; transition to climb at ±10 kt.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.V.F · Shallow Approach and Running/Roll-On Landing 2K · 9RM · 8S · p.26
Shallow approach; running/roll-on landing; ETL through surface contact; ground track and crosswind correction.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.V.G · Go-Around 3K · 5RM · 8S · p.27
Recognition of need for go-around; timely decision; positive climb at airspeed ±10 kt; ATC coordination.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Area VI.Performance Maneuvers
Note: evaluator must select Task A and at least one other Task.
CH.VI.A · Rapid Deceleration / Quick Stop 3K · 5RM · 5S · p.29
Quick-stop purpose, atmospheric effects, wind correction. Heading ±10°; tail-boom clearance maintained throughout.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VI.B · Straight-In Autorotation in a Single-Engine Helicopter 5K · 14RM · 12S · p.29
Power-off glide at autorotation airspeed ±10 kt; main rotor (Nr) in normal limits; terminate to a stabilized hover within 200 ft of designated point.
Refs: AC 61-140A; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VI.C · Autorotation with Turns in a Single-Engine Helicopter 5K · 14RM · 13S · p.31
Autorotation with turns; roll out no lower than 300 ft AGL; same termination tolerance as Task B (200 ft of designated point).
Refs: AC 61-140A; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Area VII.Navigation
CH.VII.A · Pilotage and Dead Reckoning 7K · 3RM · 8S · p.33
Pilotage, dead-reckoning math, magnetic compass errors, checkpoint timing within 5 minutes of ETA. Altitude ±200 ft, heading ±15°. Verify position within 3 NM of planned route.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts
CH.VII.B · Navigation Systems and Radar Services 4K · 5RM · 7S · p.34
Ground-based and satellite nav including RAIM, course intercept/track, transponder, ADS-B. Altitude ±200 ft, heading ±15°.
Refs: AC 91-78A; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
CH.VII.C · Diversion 2K · 5RM · 6S · p.35
Diversion to alternate; reasonable estimate of heading/groundspeed/arrival/fuel; weather updating in flight. Altitude ±200 ft, heading ±15°.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts
CH.VII.D · Lost Procedures 3K · 4RM · 5S · p.35
Methods to determine position; assistance available; when to declare emergency. The "5 Cs": Climb, Conserve, Communicate, Confess, Comply.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; Helicopter Route Charts; VFR Navigation Charts
Area VIII.Emergency Operations
Note: Tasks G–J tested orally only. Task C tested in addition if applicant supplies a multiengine helicopter. Tasks L & M are new for CPL — basic instrument competency required at commercial level.
CH.VIII.A · Powerplant Failure in a Hover (Single-Engine) 5K · 5RM · 10S · p.37
Hovering autorotation; touchdown with minimum movement; heading ±10° throughout.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.B · Powerplant Failure at Altitude (Single-Engine) 6K · 11RM · 7S · p.38
Simulated engine failure at altitude; autorotation at airspeed ±10 kt; suitable landing area; terminate with power recovery at safe altitude.
Refs: AC 61-140A; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.C · OEI Approach and Landing (Multiengine, Simulated) 4K · 4RM · 7S · p.39
OEI approach with operating powerplant in OEI limits; flight profile altitude ±200 ft, airspeed ±20 kt, heading ±10°.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.D · Systems and Equipment Malfunctions 5K · 4RM · 2S · p.39
Powerplant, electrical, flight instruments, pitot-static, EFD, landing gear, hydraulic, smoke/fire; recognition and response per RFM.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25
CH.VIII.E · Vortex Ring State (VRS) 6K · 6RM · 6S · p.40
VRS conditions, aerodynamics, scenarios, recovery technique. Recover no lower than 1,000 ft AGL or per RFM. Recognize, announce, recover at first indication.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.F · Low Rotor RPM Recognition and Recovery 6K · 5RM · 4S · p.41
Low Nr causes, aerodynamics, recovery; difference between low Nr and blade stall.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.G · Antitorque System Failure 2K · 3RM · S1 intentionally left blank — oral only · p.42
Antitorque failure indications, RFM procedures, wind conditions favoring landing.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.H · Dynamic Rollover 3K · 7RM · S1 intentionally left blank — oral only · p.42
Conditions, aerodynamics, preventive technique, recovery during slope operations. SAFO 16016 cited.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM; SAFO 16016
CH.VIII.I · Ground Resonance 3K · 3RM · S1 intentionally left blank — oral only · p.43
Conditions, recognition, contributing factors, preventive technique; corrective actions at low and normal Nr.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.J · Low Gravity (G) Recognition and Recovery 3K · 3RM · S1 intentionally left blank — oral only · p.44
Low-G aerodynamics, mast bumping potential; control inputs to avoid and recover.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.K · Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear 3K · 1RM · 2S · p.44
ELT operations; fire extinguisher; survival gear for climate extremes / mountainous / overwater operations; 48–72 hour survival readiness.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.VIII.L · Flight Solely by Reference to Instruments 3K · 3RM · 5S · p.45NEW vs PPL
Basic attitude instrument flying — straight-and-level, climbs, turns, descents — solely by reference to instruments. Tolerance: altitude ±100 ft, heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 kt. Required at commercial level even without an instrument rating.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -15, -21, -25
CH.VIII.M · Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes 4K · 8RM · 2S · p.46NEW vs PPL
Unusual-attitude prevention and recovery (nose-high and nose-low) by reference to instruments. IIMC/UIMC procedures. Risk includes low-G mast bumping if applicable.
Refs: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, -15, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Area IX.Special OperationsNEW vs PPL
Note: PPL ACS placed Confined Area + Pinnacle in Area V (Takeoffs/Landings). The CPL ACS elevates them to a separate Area at commercial-operations depth.
CH.IX.A · Confined Area Operations 4K · 15RM · 13S · p.47
High and low recon; power-required vs power-available; suitable approach/termination/departure path; VRS, dynamic rollover, ground resonance, LTE awareness.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
CH.IX.B · Pinnacle Operations 5K · 16RM · 12S · p.48
Pinnacle/platform approach and departure; high/low recon; wind/density-altitude analysis; same hazard list as Task A plus terrain considerations.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Area X.Postflight Procedures
CH.X.A · After Landing, Parking, and Securing 2K · 4RM · 5S · p.50
Helicopter shutdown, securing, postflight inspection; minimize hazardous downwash; document discrepancies; safe parking.
Refs: FAA-H-8083-2, -21, -25; POH/RFM
Practical test outcomes & commercial-specific notes
- Pass: Notice of Issuance, Temporary Airman Certificate.
- Notice of Disapproval: Failure of any Task fails the test. Retest under the ACS in effect on the retest date.
- Letter of Discontinuance: Test stopped for non-applicant reason. Credit for completed Tasks under the same ACS edition.
Commercial limitations without an instrument rating (per 14 CFR § 61.133(b)(1)): the 50 NM cross-country and night restriction on carrying passengers for hire applies to the airplane and powered-lift categories only. A commercial helicopter certificate is not issued with it, so an instrument rating is not what lifts it here — there is nothing to lift. Pursue the instrument rating for IFR privileges and employability, not to remove a limitation you never had.
Aeronautical experience (per 14 CFR § 61.129(c)): 150 hours total, made up of — (c)(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 in helicopters; (c)(2) 100 hours PIC, including 35 in helicopters and 10 hours cross-country in helicopters; (c)(3) 20 hours of training on the § 61.127(b)(3) areas, which must include 5 hours by reference to instruments, a 2-hour day cross-country over 50 NM straight-line, a 2-hour night cross-country over 50 NM straight-line, and 3 hours with an instructor in the 2 calendar months before the test; and (c)(4) 10 hours solo — or PIC duties with an instructor aboard — which must include one cross-country with landings at three points and one segment of at least 50 NM straight-line from departure, plus 5 hours night VFR with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings, each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern. The on-site Logbook calculator checks these against your entries.