This three-part series dissects the Instrument Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to help you prepare for your instrument checkride. We cover AOO I, Preflight Preparation — Tasks A, B, and C — with detailed breakdowns of every knowledge, risk management, and skill element, along with scenario-based learning examples.

In This Article

Understanding the ACS Structure

The Instrument ACS is organized into eight Areas of Operation. Each AOO encompasses several Tasks, with each task further segmented into Elements. These elements are the critical components of the checkride, each identified by a unique code such as IR.I.A.K1. This code breaks down to:

For example, IR.I.A.K1 corresponds to “Certification requirements, recency of experience, and recordkeeping.”

Part 1 — Task A: Pilot Qualifications

Knowledge Elements

IR.I.A.K1 Focus on pilot certification requirements, maintaining experience, and the significance of accurate recordkeeping.
IR.I.A.K2 Understand your privileges and limitations under the instrument rating.
IR.I.A.K3 Comprehend the privileges and limitations under Part 68 BasicMed.

Risk Management Elements

IR.I.A.R1 Differentiate between being proficient and just current.
IR.I.A.R2 Realize the importance of establishing personal minimums.
IR.I.A.R3 Be aware of physiological factors that could affect your ability to fly under instrument conditions.
IR.I.A.R4 Acknowledge the risks involved in flying unfamiliar aircraft or using unfamiliar avionics.

Skills Elements

IR.I.A.S1 Apply the requirements to act as PIC under IFR in different scenarios.

Making Connections with the ACS

While the ACS itself doesn’t directly reference specific source materials, it’s crucial for you to actively make these connections. For instance, IR.I.A.K2 on privileges and limitations should guide you to FAR 61.65 and FAR 61.113. Similarly, IR.I.A.R2, which focuses on setting personal minimums, connects to the Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A) Chapter 2 and The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C) Chapter 2.

Scenario: Ski Trip in an Unfamiliar Aircraft

Imagine you’re planning a ski vacation and decide to rent a Mooney M20K with a G1000 panel, different from your usual six-pack Cessna 172. You undertake three checkout flights, each including full procedure instrument approaches.

This scenario not only tests your knowledge of recency of experience but also incorporates risk management elements (IR.I.A.R1 and IR.I.A.R4), like understanding the difference between proficiency and currency, and the intricacies of adapting to advanced avionics systems. It encourages you to consider factors such as transition training, potential weather challenges en route to a ski destination, and flying a high-performance aircraft in unfamiliar terrain.

Study Approach

By addressing one task daily, the ACS becomes more manageable. In around 20 days, you’ll be thoroughly prepared for your checkride.

Part 2 — Task B: Weather Information

Knowledge Elements

IR.I.B.K1 Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
IR.I.B.K2 Acceptable weather products and resources used for preflight planning, and for current and forecasted weather for departure, en route operations, and arrival phases of flight.
IR.I.B.K3 Meteorology applicable to IFR flights, covering expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:
  1. Atmospheric composition and stability
  2. Wind variations (e.g., crosswind, tailwind, windshear, mountain wave)
  3. Temperature factors
  4. Moisture and precipitation
  5. Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts
  6. Cloud types and coverage
  7. Turbulence
  8. Thunderstorms and microbursts
  9. Icing and freezing level information
  10. Fog and mist
  11. Frost
  12. Visibility obstructions (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash)
IR.I.B.K4 Flight deck displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.

All of these knowledge elements can be studied in the Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28). A productive approach is to review each element thoroughly. Creating notecards, with the knowledge element title on one side and the associated weather handbook information on the other, can be an effective study tool.

Important note on Task B: Typically, an examiner is required to select at least one knowledge element, one risk management element, and all skill elements for evaluation. However, Task B stands out because Skill IR.I.B.S2 directs the examiner to “Analyze the implication of at least three of the conditions…” This effectively mandates that the examiner must choose three knowledge elements for the checkride.

There’s an additional layer: your Knowledge Test Report. The codes on that report correspond to the knowledge elements in the ACS, and the examiner is obligated to test your understanding in those areas.

Risk Management Elements

IR.I.B.R1 Factors in making go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
  1. When diversion is prudent
  2. Personal weather minimums
  3. Hazardous weather conditions, such as forecasted icing or turbulence
IR.I.B.R2 Limitations of:
  1. Onboard weather equipment
  2. Aviation weather reports and forecasts
  3. Inflight weather resources

Skills Elements

IR.I.B.S1 Utilizing aviation weather resources for a thorough weather briefing.
IR.I.B.S2 Analyzing at least three conditions from K3a through K3l, based on actual or scenario-provided weather.
IR.I.B.S3 Correlating weather information to make a competent go/no-go decision.
IR.I.B.S4 Determining the necessity of an alternate airport and verifying its compliance with regulatory requirements.

Go/no-go decision-making is highlighted in both the skills and risk management elements, signaling its importance in your checkride. Expect scenarios that challenge you to alter your flight plans due to changing conditions. As a pilot, strive to manage risks by finding safe, alternative solutions rather than simply canceling flights.

Free FAA Weather Courses

Here are 12 free weather courses available on FAASafety.gov:

  • ALC-646: NAFI – Weather Training In The Cockpit: Spring/Summer Focus
  • ALC-814: NAFI – Weather “A Meteorologist’s Perspective”
  • ALC-1092: NAFI – Adverse Weather – Perception Versus Reality
  • ALC-213: IFR Insights: Cockpit Weather
  • ALC-322: Aviation Weather Data: A Targeted Approach
  • ALC-945: AirVenture 2022 Weather Reports – Myths and Misconceptions
  • ALC-541: ABS – Beechcraft Cold Weather Operations
  • ALC-295: Weather Wise: VFR into IMC
  • ALC-563: Weather Technology In The Cockpit (WTIC) – FAA NextGen Research
  • ALC-549: Weather or Not: Thunderstorm Challenge
  • ALC-977: SUN-N-FUN 2023 Adverse Weather – Perception vs. Reality
  • ALC-658: FAA Enhancing Winter Weather Training
Part 3 — Task C: Cross-Country Flight Planning

Knowledge Elements

IR.I.C.K1 Route planning: understanding available navigational facilities, special use airspace, preferred routes, and selecting alternate airports.
IR.I.C.K2 Altitude selection: accounting for terrain, obstacles, glide distance, IFR cruising altitudes, wind effects, and oxygen needs.
IR.I.C.K3 Calculating crucial aspects such as:
  1. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
  2. Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to UTC
  3. Fuel requirements, including reserves
IR.I.C.K4 Elements that make up an IFR flight plan.
IR.I.C.K5 Procedures for activating and closing an IFR flight plan in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

During your checkride, the examiner will evaluate your route planning capabilities using a scenario-based approach. Anticipate a scenario requiring you to plot a cross-country flight that may involve either simulated or real weather conditions, along with specific mission requirements affecting your route.

Alternate Airport Requirements

Familiarize yourself with FAR 91.169 to understand the criteria for filing an alternate airport. Yet, don’t merely adhere to these minimums. Develop personal minimums that enhance your planning process. For example, it’s wise to file an alternate if your destination airport lacks weather reporting facilities.

When selecting alternates, assess more than just weather conditions. Evaluate the airport’s amenities, including fuel availability, maintenance services, and approach options. Choose an alternate that’s sufficiently distant from your primary destination, particularly if weather is a concern. Close alternates may also be affected by unforecast weather that compromises your destination. Additionally, consider the more conservative alternate airport requirements under Part 135.223 when establishing your personal minimums.

Risk Management Elements

IR.I.C.R1 Pilot: Consider the pilot’s experience, currency, physical and emotional state.
IR.I.C.R2 Aircraft: Understanding the aircraft’s performance, systems, equipment, and limitations.
IR.I.C.R3 Environment: Weather, airports, airspace, terrain, and obstacles.
IR.I.C.R4 External Pressures: Factors that lead to decision-making based on external demands rather than safety.
IR.I.C.R5 Limitations of Air Traffic Control (ATC) services.
IR.I.C.R6 Limitations of electronic planning applications and programs.
IR.I.C.R7 Improper fuel planning.
PAVE Checklist

The PAVE checklist is a risk management tool: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures. Incorporating the PAVE checklist into preflight planning ensures a holistic view of potential risks. Further information can be found on page 2-8 of the PHAK and in Appendix B of the Risk Management Handbook.

Pilots must also be aware of the limitations inherent to electronic planning tools. If relying on an EFB, ensure you have a backup device available. Keeping devices charged is essential; carry a portable battery pack and have a charging port installed in the aircraft. Remember, the cables to connect your devices are just as important.

Skills Elements

IR.I.C.S1 Prepare and present a cross-country flight plan, incorporating real-time weather analysis and fuel/time calculations.
IR.I.C.S2 Be adept at recalculating fuel reserves on the fly, based on scenarios.
IR.I.C.S3 Show proficiency in creating and simulating an IFR flight plan.
IR.I.C.S4 Accurately interpret charts for departure, arrival, en route, and approach procedures.
IR.I.C.S5 Identify wing contamination from icing and know the corrective actions for each flight phase.
IR.I.C.S6 Apply information from charts, NOTAMs, and other flight publications effectively.

Fuel management will be a key area of judgment. Weather changes en route can lead to holding patterns, which could leave you with limited options while waiting for ATC to sequence traffic. Maintain constant situational awareness of your fuel status, and be decisive about when to proceed to your alternate. Know your fuel situation well enough to inform ATC if proposed re-routes are not feasible.

Skill three mandates that you must file a flight plan or convincingly simulate the process. It’s not uncommon to find applicants unprepared for this task. It’s essential that you know the steps to file a flight plan and are ready to demonstrate this skill to the DPE. Electronic, phone, fax, or carrier pigeon — I don’t care, just make sure you are prepared to file.

Skill five might be assessed during the flight, but regardless of the setting, you should be fully prepared to discuss icing. This includes understanding how to avoid icing conditions and the necessary actions to take if you inadvertently encounter them.

Remember, the key to success in IFR flight planning is preparation and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Good luck, and fly safe!

This article was originally published as a three-part series on Reddit:

Part 1: Task A – Pilot Qualifications →

Part 2: Task B – Weather Information →

Part 3: Task C – Cross-Country Flight Planning →