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Instrument Rating ACS

Instrument Rating - Airplane Airman Certification Standards. FAA-S-ACS-8C, effective 2024-05-31.

Choose an area to explore its knowledge and risk management elements. Skill elements and task objectives are in the FAA document (PDF).

I3 tasks

Area I. Preflight Preparation

  • Pilot Qualifications
  • Weather Information
  • Cross-Country Flight Planning
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II3 tasks

Area II. Preflight Procedures

  • Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations
  • Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment
  • Instrument Flight Deck Check
Open area
III2 tasks

Area III. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances and Procedures

  • Compliance with Air Traffic Control Clearances
  • Holding Procedures
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IV2 tasks

Area IV. Flight by Reference to Instruments

  • Instrument Flight
  • Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
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V2 tasks

Area V. Navigation Systems

  • Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs
  • Departure, En Route, and Arrival Operations
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VI5 tasks

Area VI. Instrument Approach Procedures

  • Non-precision Approach
  • Precision Approach
  • Missed Approach
2 more tasks Open area
VII4 tasks

Area VII. Emergency Operations

  • Loss of Communications
  • One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) during Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES)
  • Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
1 more task Open area
VIII1 task

Area VIII. Postflight Procedures

  • Checking Instruments and Equipment
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