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AviationDiversion
In flight, the examiner gives you a reason to change plans: you pick a suitable alternate and route, estimate heading, groundspeed, arrival time and fuel, and turn toward it at once. It is Task C of Area VI, Navigation, in the FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the checkride every private pilot flies.
Free to startThe steps
- Select a suitable destination and route for the diversion.
- Make a reasonable estimate of heading, groundspeed, arrival time and fuel needed to the new destination.
- Hold the selected altitude within 200 feet and heading within 15 degrees.
- Update and interpret the weather in flight.
- Use digital weather and aeronautical information displays, as applicable, to keep your situational awareness.
- Divert promptly toward the new destination.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Any action, or lack of action, that makes the examiner step in to keep the flight safe is unsatisfactory.
- Consistently exceeding the tolerances of the task, or not correcting promptly when you exceed them, is unsatisfactory.
To pass
- A suitable alternate, reasonable estimates, a prompt turn toward it, altitude within 200 feet and heading within 15 degrees.
- Know how to choose an alternate destination, the situations that call for a deviation from the flight plan or ATC instructions, and the risks of collision, distractions, when a diversion is prudent, choosing the airport or seaplane base and using automation, ATC and flight deck resources.
- Missing the standard on this task fails the task and its area of operation.
Official source
Federal · FAA Private Pilot ACS
Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C)
The FAA publishes the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards free: every task of the checkride with its knowledge, risks and tolerances.
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