ASA Prepware - Private & Sport Pilot

Comprehensive preparation and study software for the Private, Sport, and Recreational Pilot FAA Knowledge Exams.

Includes Prepware install disc and 24-month subscription to Prepware Online!

Rely on the most trusted source in aviation training with ASA’s Prepware software for your FAA Knowledge Exam. More than a “question and answer” recounting of test questions, it combines a powerful software program with the accurate and instructional material you expect from ASA. Prepware gives you the tools and confidence needed to ace the test.

ASA Prepware includes the contents of the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement—with the same FAA legends, figures, and full-color charts you’ll be issued at the testing center—to help you become familiar with all available information before you take your official test. You can count on ASA to keep up with changes in the FAA Knowledge Exams with free updates available both online and through an email Update subscription service. ASA’s Private Pilot Test Prep is the pilot’s best resource for successful test-taking.

Use Prepware 2018: Private Pilot for the following Knowledge Exams:

System Requirements

Does not install to mobile devices like an iPad or Android tablet.

Windows and Macintosh compatible. 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution, DVD-ROM drive, mouse or other compatible pointing device. PDF file reader for accessing supplemental support documentation. Product registration is required. Internet access is required for registration as well as program and test question updates.

Windows compatible processor, 800 MHz or faster (Windows XP), 1.0 GHz or faster (Vista and Windows 7). 345 MB available hard drive space. 256 MB System RAM (Windows XP), 512 MB RAM (Vista), 1024 MB (Windows 7), 2048 MB (Windows 8/8.1), 4096 MB (Windows 10). Microsoft .Net Framework v4.0. If your system does not have this version of .Net Framework already installed, the Prepware installer will install the correct version before installing the program.

Macintosh computer with Intel processor. 324 MB available hard drive space. OS X Snow Leopard (10.6), 1024 MB RAM. OS X Lion (10.7), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8), OS X Mavericks (10.9) 2048 MB RAM, OS X Yosemite (10.10) and El Capitan (10.11) 4096 MB RAM.

Prepware Pilot 2018 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-2 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 online, 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 knowledge exams).
• Make and save notes while you study.
• Google-like 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.

Additional Student Pilot Resources

New Codes Coming to Airman Test Reports

The FAA sample questions for the Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) and the Instrument Rating Airplane Airman Knowledge Tests now show two types of codes associated with each question:

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.
2. The “Airman Certification Standards” (ACS) code for question topic areas. The FAA expects the ACS codes to replace LSCs on the Private and Instrument Airman Knowledge Tests within the next 12 – 18 months.

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