ACS code reference

Instrument Rating ACS codes

8 Areas of Operation and 22 tasks from FAA-S-ACS-8C. Codes beginning IR belong to this standard.

Written by the FlightWay team. Regulations checked against the eCFR and faa.gov on 11 November 2026. Not a substitute for the regulation itself or your instructor.

IR.I Preflight Preparation

• IR.I.A Pilot Qualifications
• IR.I.B Weather Information
• IR.I.C Cross-Country Flight Planning

IR.II Preflight Procedures

• IR.II.A Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations
• IR.II.B Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment
• IR.II.C Instrument Flight Deck Check

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

• IR.III.A Compliance with Air Traffic Control Clearances
• IR.III.B Holding Procedures

IR.IV Flight by Reference to Instruments

• IR.IV.A Instrument Flight
• IR.IV.B Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes

IR.V Navigation Systems

• IR.V.A Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs
• IR.V.B Departure, En Route, and Arrival Operations

IR.VI Instrument Approach Procedures

• IR.VI.A Non-precision Approach
• IR.VI.B Precision Approach
• IR.VI.C Missed Approach
• IR.VI.D Circling Approach
• IR.VI.E Landing from an Instrument Approach

IR.VII Emergency Operations

• IR.VII.A Loss of Communications
• IR.VII.B One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) during Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES)
• IR.VII.C Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)
• IR.VII.D Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators

IR.VIII Postflight Procedures

• IR.VIII.A Checking Instruments and Equipment

Last updated 11 November 2026.