Instrument Rating ACS · Area II

IR.II Preflight Procedures

3 tasks and 29 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as IR.II.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.II.A Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with anti-icing or deicing systems, and other systems related to IFR flight.

IR.II.A.K1Knowledge: The general operational characteristics and limitations of applicable anti-icing and deicing systems, including airframe, propeller, intake, fuel, and pitot-static systems.
IR.II.A.K2Knowledge: Flight control systems.
IR.II.A.R1Risk management: Operations in icing conditions.
IR.II.A.R2Risk management: Limitations of anti-icing and deicing systems.
IR.II.A.R3Risk management: Use of automated systems in instrument conditions.
IR.II.A.S1Skill: Demonstrate familiarity with anti- or de-icing procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the aircraft used on the practical test.
IR.II.A.S2Skill: Demonstrate familiarity with the automatic flight control system (AFCS) procedures or information published by the manufacturer specific to the aircraft used on the practical test, if applicable.

IR.II.B Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with managing instruments appropriate for an IFR flight.

IR.II.B.K1Knowledge: Operation of the aircraft's applicable flight instrument system(s), including:
IR.II.B.K1aKnowledge: Pitot-static instrument system and associated instruments
IR.II.B.K1bKnowledge: Gyroscopic/electric/vacuum instrument system and associated instruments
IR.II.B.K1cKnowledge: Electrical systems, electronic flight instrument displays [primary flight display (PFD), multi- function display (MFD)], transponder and automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B)
IR.II.B.K1dKnowledge: Magnetic compass
IR.II.B.K2Knowledge: Operation of the aircraft's applicable navigation system(s), including:
IR.II.B.K2aKnowledge: Very high frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR), distance measuring equipment (DME), instrument landing system (ILS), marker beacon receiver/indicators
IR.II.B.K2bKnowledge: Area navigation (RNAV), global positioning system (GPS), Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), flight management system (FMS), autopilot
IR.II.B.K3Knowledge: Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
IR.II.B.R1Risk management: Monitoring and management of automated systems.
IR.II.B.R2Risk management: Difference between approved and non-approved navigation devices.
IR.II.B.R3Risk management: Modes of flight and navigation instruments, including failure conditions.
IR.II.B.R4Risk management: Use of an electronic flight bag.
IR.II.B.R5Risk management: Use of navigation databases.
IR.II.B.S1Skill: Operate and manage installed instruments and navigation equipment.
IR.II.B.S2Skill: Operate and manage an applicant supplied electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.

IR.II.C Instrument Flight Deck Check

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with conducting a preflight check on the aircraft's instruments necessary for an IFR flight.

IR.II.C.K1Knowledge: Purpose of performing an instrument flight deck check and how to detect possible defects.
IR.II.C.K2Knowledge: IFR airworthiness, including aircraft inspection requirements and required equipment for IFR flight.
IR.II.C.K3Knowledge: Required procedures, documentation, and limitations of flying with inoperative equipment.
IR.II.C.R1Risk management: Operating with inoperative equipment.
IR.II.C.R2Risk management: Operating with outdated navigation publications or databases.
IR.II.C.S1Skill: Perform preflight inspection by following the checklist appropriate to the aircraft and determine if the aircraft is in a condition for safe instrument flight.

Other areas in this standard

IR.I Preflight Preparation3 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.VII Emergency Operations4 tasks IR.VIII Postflight Procedures1 task

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Last updated 11 November 2026.