Federal Aviation Administration

Instrument Rating - Airplane Airman Certification Standards Federal Aviation Administration

The ACS consists of Areas of Operation arranged in a logical sequence, beginning with Preflight Preparation and ending with Postflight Procedures. Each Area of Operation includes Tasks appropriate to that Area of Operation. Each Task begins with an Objective stating what the applicant should know, consider, and/or do. The ACS then lists the aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and skill elements relevant to the specific Task, along with the conditions and standards for acceptable performance. The ACS uses Notes to emphasize special considerations. The ACS uses the terms "will" and "must" to convey directive (mandatory) information. The term "may" denotes items that are recommended but not required. The References for each Task indicate the source material for Task elements. For example, in Tasks such as "Current and forecast weather for departure, arrival, and en route phases of flight" (IR. I. B. K1), the applicant must be prepared for questions on any weather product presented in the references for that Task.