This Instrument Flying section is designed for use by instrument flight instructors and pilots preparing for instrument rating tests. Instructors may find this section a valuable training aid as it includes basic reference material for knowledge testing and instrument flight training. Other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publications should be consulted for more detailed information on related topics.
This section conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA. There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing, flight procedures and maneuvers and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This section adopts selected methods and concepts for instrument flying. The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles.
All of the aeronautical knowledge and skills required to operate in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) are detailed. Sections are dedicated to human and aerodynamic factors affecting instrument flight, the flight instruments, attitude instrument flying for airplanes, basic flight maneuvers used in IMC, attitude instrument flying for helicopters, navigation systems, the National Airspace System (NAS), the air traffic control (ATC) system, instrument flight rules (IFR) flight procedures, and IFR emergencies.
The National Airspace System
The Air Traffic Control System
Human Factors
Aerodynamic Factors
Flight Instruments
- Flight Instruments
- Pitot/Static Systems
- Pitot/Static Instruments
- Dynamic Pressure Type Instruments
- Magnetism
- Gyroscopic Systems
- Gyroscopic Instruments
- Flight Support Systems
- Analog Pictorial Displays
- Flight Management Systems (FMS)
- Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Advanced Technology Systems
- Safety Systems
- Required Navigation Instrument System Inspection
Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying
- Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying
- Learning Methods (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Fundamental Skills (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Learning Methods (Using an Electronic Flight Display)
- Fundamental Skills (Using an Electronic Flight Display)
- Scanning Techniques (Using an Electronic Flight Display)
- Common Errors (Using an Electronic Flight Display)
Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers
- Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers
- Straight and Level Flight (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Straight Climbs and Descents (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Turns (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Approach to Stall (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Unusual Attitudes and Recoveries (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Instrument Takeoff (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Basic Instrument Flight Patterns (Using Analog Instrumentation)
- Straight and Level Flight (Using an Electronic Flight Display)
- Straight Climbs and Descents (Using an Electronic Flight Display)
- Turns (Using an Electronic Flight Display)
- Instrument Takeoff (Using an Electronic Flight Display)