What is a KTR?
After any FAA knowledge test (the “written”), the testing center hands you an Airman Knowledge Test Report. Besides your score, it lists a code for the subject area of every question you got wrong. Since the FAA moved to the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), those are ACS codes: each one points to a single knowledge, risk management, or skill element that the FAA expects you to know.
The report does not show the questions or your answers, only the codes. On its own, a line like PA.I.E.K1 says very little. That is the gap KTR Helper fills.
How to read an ACS code
- PACertificate and category
- Which ACS the code comes from. PA is Private Pilot Airplane, IR is Instrument Airplane, CA is Commercial Airplane, UA is Remote Pilot (Part 107), AM is Aviation Mechanic.
- IArea of Operation
- A Roman numeral for the broad subject. In the Private Pilot ACS, Area I is Preflight Preparation.
- ETask
- A letter for the topic within that area. Task E of Area I is National Airspace System.
- K1Element
- K for knowledge, R for risk management, or S for skill, then the element number. K1 here is “Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations.” A trailing lowercase letter (K1a) points to a sub-element.
See it in context: PA.I.E.K1 with its task, references, and matching FAA handbook passages.
Why your missed codes matter
- The examiner will ask about them. The ACS requires the evaluator on your practical test to test the elements you were shown to be deficient in on the knowledge test.
- Your instructor has to sign off on them. The endorsement for the practical test certifies that you have satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas listed on your report (14 CFR 61.39).
- The clock is running. For most certificates the report is valid for 24 calendar months, so the practical test must be done within that window.
- A retest needs training first. If you did not pass, you need additional instruction and an endorsement before retaking the test (14 CFR 61.49).
Read the rules yourself in 14 CFR Part 61 and AC 61-65.
How it works
What’s inside
Everything comes from current official FAA publications, downloaded from faa.gov and ecfr.gov and refreshed when the FAA revises them.
- ACS documents
- 20
- ACS elements
- 18,015
- FAA publications
- 49
- Test supplement figures
- 597
The library covers the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Airplane Flying Handbook, Instrument Flying and Procedures Handbooks, Aviation Weather Handbook, the AIM, key advisory circulars, the Aviation Maintenance Technician handbooks, and 14 CFR, indexed into 15,231 searchable passages.
Supported knowledge tests
- Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft SystemsUAG
- Airline Transport Pilot and Type Rating for Airplane CategoryATSATM
- Airline Transport Pilot and Type Rating for Powered-Lift CategoryAPLAPA
- Sport Flight Instructor Helicopter - Simplified Flight ControlsFOIIHF
- Sport Pilot for Helicopter - Simplified Flight ControlsSHF
- Private Pilot for Airplane CategoryPAR
- Private Pilot for Powered-Lift CategoryPPL
- Private Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter RatingPRH
- Flight Instructor – Instrument Rating Powered-LiftIIPFPA
- Instrument Rating – AirplaneIRA
- Instrument Rating – HelicopterIRH
- Instrument Rating – Powered-LiftIPL
- Commercial Pilot – Military CompetenceMCN
- Commercial Pilot for Airplane CategoryCAX
- Commercial Pilot for Powered-Lift CategoryCPL
- Commercial Pilot for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter RatingCRH
- Flight Instructor for Airplane CategoryFIAAFA
- Flight Instructor for Powered-Lift CategoryFIPIPA
- Flight Instructor for Rotorcraft Category Helicopter RatingFRHHFA
- Aviation Mechanic - General, Airframe, and PowerplantAMGAMAAMP
Frequently asked questions
Does KTR Helper replace ground school?
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No. A ground school course teaches the material; KTR Helper helps you master it. Your study plan tracks every topic on the test, the AI tutor explains anything that doesn't click, and practice questions and mock exams show what you still need to work on. For each test we list the online ground school courses we know of.
How does the AI tutor work?
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Before answering, it searches the official FAA handbooks, the AIM, advisory circulars, and 14 CFR, and it cites the source and page for each claim so you can check it. It can also look up ACS codes and see your study plan. AI can still make mistakes, so verify with the cited page and your instructor.
What is an Airman Knowledge Test Report (KTR)?
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The KTR (also called the AKTR) is the score report you receive after an FAA knowledge test, often called the written test. It shows your score, whether you passed, and a list of ACS codes for the subject areas of the questions you answered incorrectly.
How do I read the ACS codes on my KTR?
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Each code points to one element of the Airman Certification Standards. In PA.I.E.K1, PA is the Private Pilot Airplane ACS, I is the Area of Operation (Preflight Preparation), E is the Task (National Airspace System), and K1 is knowledge element 1 (airspace classes and their requirements). Paste your codes into KTR Helper to see the full text of each one.
Will the examiner ask about my missed codes on the checkride?
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Yes. The ACS requires the evaluator to test any elements in which you were shown to be deficient on the knowledge test, as applicable. Your instructor’s endorsement for the practical test must also certify that you have satisfactory knowledge of those areas (14 CFR 61.39).
How long is my knowledge test report valid?
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For most certificates you must complete the practical test within 24 calendar months after the month you passed the knowledge test (14 CFR 61.39). Applicants who completed the ATP Certification Training Program have 60 calendar months for the ATP multiengine test.
What score do I need to pass an FAA knowledge test?
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70 percent on every test KTR Helper covers. If you fail, you need additional training and an instructor endorsement before you retake it (14 CFR 61.49).
Which tests does KTR Helper support?
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Every knowledge test with a current ACS: Private, Instrument, and Commercial (airplane, helicopter, and powered-lift), ATP (airplane and powered-lift), Flight Instructor (airplane, helicopter, and powered-lift, plus instrument powered-lift) and Fundamentals of Instructing, Remote Pilot (Part 107), Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant, Military Competency, and Sport Pilot and Sport Flight Instructor helicopter. Reports for tests not based on an ACS may list older learning statement codes (PLT followed by a number), which KTR Helper does not decode.
Is KTR Helper free?
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Decoding codes, browsing the ACS, and searching the FAA library are free and need no account. A free account adds a saved study plan and 25 AI requests a day for the tutor, study notes, and practice questions. Pro raises the AI limit.
Is KTR Helper affiliated with the FAA?
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No. It is an independent study aid built from official FAA publications. Always confirm against the current editions and with your instructor.
A study aid, not the FAA
KTR Helper is independent and not affiliated with the Federal Aviation Administration. AI answers are grounded in FAA text and cite their sources, but can still be wrong. Verify with the current publications and your instructor. Questions or corrections are welcome; see the privacy policy for how to reach us.