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Instrument Rating · Area IV: Flight by Reference to Instruments

Task A. Instrument Flight

FAA-S-ACS-8C · Effective 2024-05-31

Official FAA standard (PDF) ↗

Knowledge

What you should understand and be able to explain.

3 elements
  • IR.IV.A.K1
    Elements related to attitude instrument flying during straight-and-level flight, climbs, turns, and descents while conducting various instrument flight procedures.
  • IR.IV.A.K2
    Interpretation, operation, and limitations of pitch, bank, and power instruments.
  • IR.IV.A.K3
    Normal and abnormal instrument indications and operations.

Risk management

Risks to recognize and decisions to consider.

3 elements
  • IR.IV.A.R1
    Situations that can affect physiology and degrade instrument cross-check.
  • IR.IV.A.R2
    Spatial disorientation and optical illusions.
  • IR.IV.A.R3
    Flying unfamiliar aircraft or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.
Skill elements and task objectives

This page covers knowledge and risk management. For the complete task, including skill standards, open the FAA document (PDF).