Navigation Systems and Radar Services
Private Pilot ACS · Area VI · Task B · AIM, FAA-H-8083-25
Everything you need to know about Navigation Systems and Radar Services for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task VI-B, covering navigation systems and radar services.
GPS / RAIM / WAAS §
RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring): GPS receiver monitors its own signal integrity using redundant satellite geometry. Required for non-WAAS GPS IFR approaches — check RAIM before departure for planned arrival time.
WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System): Ground-based corrections improve GPS accuracy to ≤3 meters. Provides its own integrity monitoring — no separate RAIM check needed. Required for LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance) approaches.
VFR GPS: No specific legal requirements but database must be current for IFR. Verify before any approach.
WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System): Ground-based corrections improve GPS accuracy to ≤3 meters. Provides its own integrity monitoring — no separate RAIM check needed. Required for LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance) approaches.
VFR GPS: No specific legal requirements but database must be current for IFR. Verify before any approach.
AIM 1-1-17; ACS PA.VI.B
VFR Flight Following §
How to request: After departure or en-route, call ATC and state: aircraft type, position, altitude, and destination. Request "VFR flight following."
ATC assigns a discrete transponder code, identifies you on radar, and provides:
• Traffic advisories (workload permitting)
• Weather deviation assistance
• Limited navigation assistance
Flight following does NOT transfer PIC responsibilities. Terrain clearance, airspace, collision avoidance, and fuel management remain the pilot's sole responsibility.
ATC assigns a discrete transponder code, identifies you on radar, and provides:
• Traffic advisories (workload permitting)
• Weather deviation assistance
• Limited navigation assistance
Flight following does NOT transfer PIC responsibilities. Terrain clearance, airspace, collision avoidance, and fuel management remain the pilot's sole responsibility.
AIM 4-1-18
VOR Service Volumes §
T (Terminal): Up to 25 nm, up to 12,000 AGL.
L (Low altitude): Up to 40 nm, up to 18,000 AGL.
H (High altitude): 40–130 nm depending on altitude band.
Do not plan navigation using a VOR beyond its published service volume. Signals outside the SSV may be unreliable or interfere with other stations.
L (Low altitude): Up to 40 nm, up to 18,000 AGL.
H (High altitude): 40–130 nm depending on altitude band.
Do not plan navigation using a VOR beyond its published service volume. Signals outside the SSV may be unreliable or interfere with other stations.
AIM 1-1-8