"I just scored a 97 on the private pilot written exam! All the studying with Prepware Software paid off!"
—Phil M.

"Hello. I wanted to let you know that I took my faa exam and passed with a 95%. I used your prepware software, the faa balloon handbook, pilots handbook of aeronautical knowledge, and the faa aeronautical information manual to study. Being able to take some practice tests helped a lot to show me where I needed further study. I am well on my way to becoming a private pilot of hot air balloons."
—James

"I just finished my Instrument Airplane written exam. I used the ASA Prepware for several weeks preceding the exam. The ability to create specific study sessions, and then to take practice written exams was great. My last five practice exams ranged between 80% and 90%, and I passed the FAA exam with an 88%. I think the ASA Prepware package did an excellent job of getting me ready for the written exam and passing it with a good score on the first attempt. Thanks!"
—Richard Bensinger

"Your Prepware course was really excellent and, as you can see from the results, effective. I would recommend this course to anyone and you may quote me on that."
—Paul, Gloucester VA

"Even as I studied for the first hour after I installed the ASA Prepware on my home computer last night, I felt a sense of new found confidence, both in my ability to succeed on the FAA test and to be a safer and more competent Private Pilot. Thank you sincerely!"
—Carole, Anchorage AK

"ASA training products are second to none! I've used the DVD ground school courses as my core training for both the Private Pilot and Instrument Pilot ratings. I passed both written FAA tests with very high scores, and a strong understanding of the subject matter. The knowledgeable ASA instructors and their Teaching techniques made the learning easy and fun. Thanks ASA!"
—Hollis Dickerson - Private Pilot with Instrument Rating

"Today I achieved a dream of many years: I became a Private Pilot. There are a number of people I need to thank for their support, and that certainly includes Aviation Supplies and Academics, Inc. Your Private Pilot Prepware was excellent and was one of the key resources I used in preparing for my written and oral exams. I scored a 95 on my written, and my oral exam also went extremely well. I just wanted to thank you for a great product and great after-purchase support. Thanks, again, for helping me achieve a life goal."
—Curtis M. Wall, McDonough, Georgia

"Thanks for making it convenient for me to get through the ground school at a pace that I could adjust to my work schedule."
   —Gary A. Sobek

"I used Prepware to prepare for my private helicopter knowledge test. The strategy that I used was to take a Prepware test, and then create a study session using the questions that I missed. I continued with this strategy until I could consistently score in the 90s on my practice tests. Once I achieved this, I scheduled and took the FAA exam. I was a bit anxious before starting the test, but once I saw the questions, I knew that I had been well served in using Prepware. I scored a 93% on the FAA test. My goal is to become a commercially rated, professional helicopter pilot. After this experience with Prepware, I will absolutely continue using it to prepare for all my future exams. Thanks!"
    — Dan

"I used the Private Pilot Prepware '08 to review for my written exam. As a college professor, I wouldn't allow myself to memorize any of the questions. I worked through all the questions several times to become familiar with the testing format and studied the material that I missed or didn't understand. Everything was by self-study and was reinforced by reading several instructional texts. I took the test yesterday and scored 100%. I currently only have 7 hours of lessons in my log book, but I wanted to get the written out of the way. This software allowed me to work through the material efficiently and effectively and was quite easy to use. Highly recommended!"
—Timothy Steele, Ph.D., Des Moines, Iowa

"I enjoyed working with ASA's Prepware online, which is a great way to 'spool up' for the FAA Knowledge Exam after working through an IFR textbook to see and understand the whole picture."
—Bill

"Excellent Course, and a great value. I fully prepared myself for the ATP written, and I also understood the material as well. The explanation of the wrong answers was thorough. I liked the fact that you can download the latest question database. Even your convenience of a built-in calculator was brilliant. And the ability to take sampled exams was a real plus. I would highly recommend this course. I am a new and true fan of ASA now!"
——Scott

"Amazing software. Helps me preparing for interview at LAN AIRLINES. Thank you for such a good product."
   —Matias

Acronym Definitions

Download a list of definitions for the acronyms used in the pilot Test Preps.

New Codes Coming to Airman Test Reports

The FAA sample questions and Airman Knowledge Test Reports may contain two types of coding. This is determined based on the availability of a published Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for the particular test in which you are taking.

1. The Learning Statement Code (LSC) associated with question topic areas. The Learning Statement codes currently appear on the Airman Knowledge Test Report for any missed knowledge test questions for which an Airman Certification Standards (ACS) is not yet published, and the Practical Test Standard (PTS) remains the guiding document. View the complete list of LSC here.
2. The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) code for question topic areas. The ACS codes currently appear on the Airman Knowledge Test Report for any missed knowledge test questions for which an Airman Certification Standards (ACS) has been published. View the current ACS to decode the topic associated with the ACS code here.

• For basic information on the ACS and ACS codes, please click here.
• For a detailed presentation on the ACS, please click here.
• To review FAQs on the ACS, please click here.

Airman Certification Standards

Since September 2011, the FAA has worked closely with a diverse group of aviation community stakeholders, including ASA, who convened to help the agency improve the testing/training standards, guidance, and test development/management components of the airman certification process. The industry participants in this effort have developed the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) framework as a way to improve airman training and testing by providing an integrated, holistic system that clearly aligns airman testing with certification standards and guidance. ACS is built on the existing Practical Test Standards (PTS), which explicitly define the performance metrics for each flight proficiency element listed in 14 CFR. The ACS approach enhances the PTS by defining the specific elements, aeronautical knowledge, and risk management awareness needed to support each Area of Operation and Task.

By presenting the elements of knowledge, skill, and risk management in the integrated ACS format, the ACS approach better serves the applicant, the instructor, and the evaluator. In addition, the ACS approach will enable the FAA to create and maintain a clear link between the regulations, knowledge/skill performance standards, guidance, and test materials.

The FAA has accepted the industry group's recommendation to adopt the ACS approach and continues to work with this group to refine the ACS and plan for its eventual implementation. Current endeavors include FAA support for industry efforts to prototype the ACS approach in selected locations.

Airman Certification Standards (ACS) Codes

The overarching goal of the ACS effort is to create an integrated, coherent airman certification system in which standards, guidance, and testing can be aligned and maintained in alignment. This type of symmetry in all materials is key to fully realizing the benefits the ACS system promises to both the FAA and its many stakeholders. It is also the key to conformance with accepted industry standards for certification programs, which require that items to be trained and tested are directly linked to the job/task analysis—in this case, the ACS.

To help achieve this goal, the aviation community experts who developed the ACS have also created a new coding system that will eventually apply to both Airman Knowledge Tests and Practical Test tasks. These codes provide the means to correlate the tasks in the ACS with guidance and testing, and to keep them aligned going forward. When the FAA implements the ACS approach, the ACS codes will supersede the current LSC system, which has become too limited to serve as a mechanism for alignment and too complex to effectively serve the needs of the FAA and the stakeholder community.

The proposed coding system has four elements that are anchored in the ACS and not in reference documents, as are the current LSCs. Examples:

PA . XI . A . K1

• PA = Identifies the applicable ACS (private pilot airplane)
• XI = Area of Operation (Night operation)
• A = Task (Night preparation)
• K1 = Task element [knowledge (K), skill (S), risk management (R)] (1. Physiological aspects of night flying as it relates to vision)

IR . I . A . K1

• IR = Identifies the applicable ACS (instrument rating)
• I = Area of Operation (Preflight preparation)
• A = Task (Pilot qualifications)
• K1 = Task element [knowledge (K), skill (S), risk management (R)] (1. When an instrument rating is required)

The ACS-based coding scheme will:

• Clearly align guidance and test questions to the ACS;
• Make the airman test report meaningful to stakeholders (applicant, instructor, evaluator);
• Provide a means for automated generation of tests, whether using the existing test forms or future randomized selections; and
• Eliminate subjectivity and vastly simplify system management requirements for the FAA.

Prepware Pilot Features:

• PC and Mac compatible.
• Complete and easy to use Study and Test modes.
• Software replicates what you see when taking the official FAA exam.
• Questions supported with explanations for correct and incorrect answers, FAA references for further study, and airman test report codes for remedial study.
• CX-3® electronic flight computer is built into the program and accessible with a click of a button.
• Review the questions you missed for an on-track learning program; performance graphs track your overall test scores and results in each subject.
• Includes 24-month subscription to Prepware.com, anywhere you have an internet connection.
• Receive your test authorization (endorsement) from your instructor or ASA to take the official FAA test (available for most pilot exams; not available for aviation mechanic.)
• Make and save notes while you study.
• Search functions locate a word, phrase, or airman test report code in the entire database of questions, answers, and explanations.
• Free email subscription service and software updates ensure you're always using the most current information available.

Pass your test and know what is essential to become a safe, competent pilot—from the most trusted source in aviation training.