Free ACS study guide

Instrument Rating ACS Guide

Study guide for the Instrument Rating ACS, with emphasis on IFR decision-making, approach briefings, weather, lost communications, and proficiency.

Use this guide to connect IFR procedures with real-world cockpit decisions.

The instrument checkride is a decision-making test

Instrument flying is procedural, but the ACS is still asking whether you can manage risk when workload, weather, and clearance changes stack up.

Brief the clearance, route, altitude, frequencies, and expected changes.
Explain alternate requirements, fuel planning, weather minimums, and approach legality.
Manage automation, task saturation, and missed approach decisions.

Approach brief habits

A strong approach brief is short, complete, and tied to action. It should cover navigation source, course, altitudes, minimums, missed approach, and threats.

State how you will identify the final approach fix.
Call out step-down fixes, DA/MDA, timing needs, and runway environment requirements.
Brief the missed approach before workload is high.

Risk areas to rehearse

The best instrument prep includes abnormal cases: lost comms, partial panel, unexpected holds, late runway changes, icing, convective weather, and unstable approaches.

Use AVEF and MEA as a framework, then apply the actual scenario.
Describe when you would discontinue an approach.
Explain how you maintain situational awareness during vectors and holds.

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