Instrument Rating ACS · Area VII

IR.VII Emergency Operations

4 tasks and 55 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as IR.VII.A.K1, lands on its own line.

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.

Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-8C (November 2023 edition), effective May 31, 2024 and incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 61.14. Text from the FAA’s ACS page, checked on 11 November 2026. If the FAA has published a newer edition since, the codes and wording may differ: the FAA document is the authority.

IR.VII.A Loss of Communications

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with loss of communications while operating solely by reference to instruments.

IR.VII.A.K1Knowledge: Procedures to follow in the event of lost communication during various phases of flight, including techniques for reestablishing communications, when it is acceptable to deviate from an instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance, and when to begin an approach at the destination.
IR.VII.A.R1Risk management: Possible reasons for loss of communication.
IR.VII.A.R2Risk management: Deviation from procedures for lost communications.
IR.VII.A.S1Skill: Recognize a simulated loss of communication.
IR.VII.A.S2Skill: Simulate actions to re-establish communication.
IR.VII.A.S3Skill: Determine whether to continue to flight plan destination or deviate.
IR.VII.A.S4Skill: Determine appropriate time to begin an approach.
IR.VII.A.S5Skill: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.

IR.VII.B One Engine Inoperative (Simulated) during Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (AMEL, AMES)

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flight solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.

IR.VII.B.K1Knowledge: Procedures used if engine failure occurs during straight-and-level flight and turns while on instruments.
IR.VII.B.R1Risk management: Identification of the inoperative engine.
IR.VII.B.R2Risk management: Inability to climb or maintain altitude with an inoperative engine.
IR.VII.B.R3Risk management: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
IR.VII.B.R4Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
IR.VII.B.R5Risk management: Fuel management during single-engine operation.
IR.VII.B.R6Risk management: Configuring the aircraft.
IR.VII.B.S1Skill: Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.
IR.VII.B.S2Skill: Set the engine controls, reduce drag, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and simulate feathering of the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
IR.VII.B.S3Skill: Establish the best engine-inoperative airspeed and trim the airplane.
IR.VII.B.S4Skill: Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
IR.VII.B.S5Skill: Verify the prescribed checklist procedures used for securing the inoperative engine.
IR.VII.B.S6Skill: Attempt to determine and resolve the reason for the engine failure.
IR.VII.B.S7Skill: Monitor engine functions and make necessary adjustments.
IR.VII.B.S8Skill: Maintain the specified altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and the specified heading ±10°.
IR.VII.B.S9Skill: Assess the aircraft's performance capability and decide an appropriate action to ensure a safe landing.
IR.VII.B.S10Skill: Maintain control and fly within the aircraft's operating limitations.
IR.VII.B.S11Skill: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.

IR.VII.C Instrument Approach and Landing with an Inoperative Engine (Simulated) (AMEL, AMES)

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with executing a published instrument approach solely by reference to instruments with one engine inoperative.

IR.VII.C.K1Knowledge: Instrument approach procedures with one engine inoperative.
IR.VII.C.R1Risk management: Potential engine failure during approach and landing.
IR.VII.C.R2Risk management: [Archived]
IR.VII.C.R3Risk management: Configuring the airplane.
IR.VII.C.R4Risk management: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
IR.VII.C.R5Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
IR.VII.C.R6Risk management: Performing a go-around/rejected landing with an engine failure.
IR.VII.C.S1Skill: Promptly recognize an engine failure and maintain positive aircraft control.
IR.VII.C.S2Skill: Set the engine controls, reduce drag, identify and verify the inoperative engine, and simulate feathering of the propeller on the inoperative engine (evaluator should then establish zero thrust on the inoperative engine).
IR.VII.C.S3Skill: Use flight controls in the proper combination as recommended by the manufacturer, or as required to maintain best performance, and trim as required.
IR.VII.C.S4Skill: Follow the manufacturer's recommended emergency procedures and complete the appropriate checklist.
IR.VII.C.S5Skill: Monitor the operating engine and aircraft systems and make adjustments as necessary.
IR.VII.C.S6Skill: Request and follow an actual or a simulated air traffic control (ATC) clearance for an instrument approach.
IR.VII.C.S7Skill: Maintain altitude ±100 feet or minimum sink rate if applicable, airspeed ±10 knots, and selected heading ±10°.
IR.VII.C.S8Skill: Establish a rate of descent that ensures arrival at the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA)/decision height (DH) with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate.
IR.VII.C.S9Skill: On final approach segment, maintain vertical (as applicable) and lateral guidance within ¾-scale deflection.
IR.VII.C.S10Skill: Maintain control and fly within the aircraft's operating limitations.
IR.VII.C.S11Skill: Comply with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category if circling.
IR.VII.C.S12Skill: Execute a landing.
IR.VII.C.S13Skill: Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
IR.VII.C.S14Skill: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.

IR.VII.D Approach with Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing an approach solely by reference to instruments with the loss of primary flight control instruments.

IR.VII.D.K1Knowledge: Recognizing if primary flight instruments are inaccurate or inoperative, and advising ATC or the evaluator.
IR.VII.D.K2Knowledge: Possible failure modes of primary instruments and how to correct or minimize the effect of the loss.
IR.VII.D.R1Risk management: Use of secondary flight displays when primary displays have failed.
IR.VII.D.R2Risk management: Maintaining aircraft control.
IR.VII.D.R3Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
IR.VII.D.S1Skill: Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
IR.VII.D.S2Skill: Complete a non-precision instrument approach without the use of the primary flight instruments using the skill elements of the non-precision approach Task (see Area of Operation VI, Task A).
IR.VII.D.S3Skill: Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.

Other areas in this standard

IR.I Preflight Preparation3 tasks IR.II Preflight Procedures3 tasks IR.III Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances and Procedures2 tasks IR.IV Flight by Reference to Instruments2 tasks IR.V Navigation Systems2 tasks IR.VI Instrument Approach Procedures5 tasks IR.VIII Postflight Procedures1 task

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Last updated 11 November 2026.