VSL ACE Guide Version 9.0 – FAA Reference System for Pilots Pass your checkride without digging through dozens of different FAA documents. The ACE Guide is a streamlined FAA reference system designed to help pilots prepare for checkrides by connecting the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) directly to FAA handbooks, regulations, Advisory Circulars, legal interpretations, safety publications, and other FAA guidance material examiners expect applicants to understand. Used by thousands of pilots preparing for FAA checkrides. What’s New in Version 9.0 Version 9.0 is a major expansion of the ACE Guide's FAA and NTSB reference library, adding more than 60 new safety and reference publications along with a completely redesigned FAA Legal Interpretations section. • 37 NTSB Safety Alerts Added A collection of 37 NTSB Safety Alerts has been added to the ACE Guide. These alerts use lessons learned from aircraft accidents and investigations to address important aviation safety topics including decision-making, aircraft control, weather, maintenance, fuel management, and other common accident factors. A quick link to the NTSB CAROL database is also included, making it easy to search for the accident reports and investigations referenced within the Safety Alerts. • 15 FAA Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) Added A collection of 15 FAA Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) has been added to the guide. These publications provide additional FAA safety information and recommended actions covering operational hazards, procedures, and other important aviation safety issues. • FAA Legal Interpretations Section Completely Redesigned The FAA Legal Interpretations section has been completely redesigned to make important interpretations easier to find and navigate. An additional 6 FAA Letters of Interpretation (LOIs) have also been added, bringing the ACE Guide's collection to 59 indexed FAA legal interpretations covering commonly encountered regulatory questions. • FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide Added The FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide is now included in the ACE Guide, providing a comprehensive reference for understanding FAA aeronautical charts, symbols, terminology, and charting conventions. • 9 Additional FAA Pamphlets and Brochures 9 additional FAA pamphlets and brochures have been added, further expanding the collection of FAA educational and reference material available within the guide. • Bug Fixes and Link Repairs Numerous broken links, navigation issues, and other minor errors have been identified and corrected throughout the guide. Format Digital PDF optimized for tablets and electronic flight bags (EFBs). Includes free lifetime updates as the ACE Guide is updated with new FAA material. No subscription. No recurring fees. What It Is The ACE Guide brings the FAA reference material you need into a single, organized system, including: FAA handbooks Airman Certification Standards (ACS) Legacy Practical Test Standards (PTS) where applicable Advisory Circulars FAA legal interpretations NTSB Safety Alerts FAA Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) FAR/AIM references FAA guides, pamphlets, and publications FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide Rather than keeping dozens of separate PDFs and trying to remember where everything is located, the ACE Guide connects them through an extensive internal navigation and hyperlink system. How It Works Preparing for a checkride often requires moving between the ACS, FAA handbooks, regulations, Advisory Circulars, legal interpretations, and other FAA guidance. The ACE Guide connects those documents together. ACS knowledge elements are linked directly to supporting FAA source material, allowing you to quickly move from: Standard → Explanation → Regulation → Additional Guidance Instead of searching through separate documents, the information is only a few taps away. Checkride Use The ACE Guide contains original FAA and NTSB source material, not rewritten or summarized versions of government publications. It is designed to function like a digitally tabbed collection of aviation references that you can use during training, checkride preparation, and on checkride day. Who It’s For Pilots preparing for FAA checkrides Flight instructors teaching ACS-based material CFI applicants preparing for instructor-level evaluations Pilots who want faster access to FAA references Anyone who wants an organized, offline library of commonly used aviation reference material Why It’s Different Most study guides summarize FAA material. The ACE Guide does not. Instead, it organizes and connects the original FAA source material. Think of it as a digitally tabbed and cross-referenced FAA library. When you select an ACS knowledge element, you can quickly navigate to the FAA handbook, regulation, Advisory Circular, or other source material that explains it. That means you're learning not only the answer, but also where the answer comes from and how to find it yourself. What’s Included A comprehensive library of FAA and NTSB reference material for fixed-wing pilots, including: Core FAA handbooks, including the PHAK, AFH, IFH, IPH, Risk Management Handbook, Aviation Weather Handbook, and more Current Airman Certification Standards Legacy Practical Test Standards where still applicable 2026 AIM Change 3 FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide Advisory Circulars 59 indexed FAA legal interpretations 37 NTSB Safety Alerts 15 FAA Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) FAA guides, pamphlets, and brochures FAR/AIM references Extensive internal navigation and cross-referencing All integrated into a single PDF reference system. Offline Access Many of the ACE Guide's most important references are stored locally within the guide, allowing them to be accessed without relying on an internet connection. This includes the 2026 AIM Change 3 and a growing library of FAA handbooks, Ad
