Instrument Rating and IFR Currency (Lecture Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key IFR concepts, currency requirements, training devices, and regulatory rules from the lecture notes.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

Flight operations governed when weather is below VFR minimums; flight by reference to instruments rather than outside references.

Visual Flight Rules (VFR)

Flight rules used when weather and visibility allow flight with reference to the ground and horizon.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)

Weather conditions requiring flight primarily by instruments (IFR).

Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)

Weather conditions permitting flight with visual references (VFR).

Part 61

FAA regulation outlining requirements for obtaining pilot certificates and ratings, including instrument-rating prerequisites and testing.

Part 141

FAA regulation path for approved flight schools; often has different training and cross-country requirements compared to Part 61.

Cross-country time (PIC cross-country)

PIC time accumulated on cross-country flights; relevant to instrument-rating eligibility under Part 61 (often 50 hours) but not required for Part 141 in the same way.

50 hours of PIC cross-country time

Part 61 requirement cited for instrument-rating eligibility; not a requirement under Part 141 paths.

Instrument rating prerequisites

To be eligible: hold a Private Pilot certificate, be able to read/speak/understand English, meet Part 61 time requirements, and pass the knowledge test.

15 hours instrument flight training (IFR training hours)

Minimum instrument flight training hours with an authorized instructor (Part 61).

View limiting device

Hood or device placed over the cockpit to restrict outside references, simulating instrument meteorological conditions.

Runway environment sight

In instrument approaches, instruction to look for the runway environment once cues are given, even with a hood.

Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)

FAA official who conducts checks and administers practical tests for pilot certificates and ratings.

Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM)

Management of resources (human, equipment, environment) by a single pilot during IFR operations.

Safety pilot

A private pilot with appropriate category/class rating and a current medical who provides safety when practicing instrument approaches in VFR conditions.

Aviation Training Device (ATD)

A non-certificated training device (e.g., cockpit simulators) used to support training, which may not count as actual flight time for logbooks.

Flight Training Device (FTD)

A formal category of flight simulators used for training; different levels exist and may contribute toward training hours.

Full Flight Simulator (FFS)

High-fidelity, motion-based simulator representing a complete aircraft cockpit for training.

Logbook entries

Flight time documentation; instrument time can be actual IMC or simulated (via hood) and some sim-time may count as dual instruction.

Actual Instrument Time

Time spent flying solely by reference to instruments in actual IMC conditions.

Simulated Instrument Time

Time spent flying with a view-limiting device (hood) under simulated instrument conditions.

61.57 instrument currency requirement

Within the preceding six calendar months, log six instrument approaches, holding procedures and tasks, and intercepting/tracking courses using navigational electronic systems to act as PIC under IFR.

Hold-in-lieu of a procedure turn (HILPT)

Holding pattern used in lieu of a procedure turn to align for an approach (often associated with RNAV or conventional approaches).

RNAV approaches

GPS-based area navigation approaches; often begin with a hold-in-lieu of procedure turn.

Zero-zero takeoff

Takeoff in conditions with zero ceilings/zero visibility; technically possible in some highly capable aircraft but not recommended or safe in general.

Circling to land

Circling approach to land in which the aircraft must maneuver visually to land, typically in lower-visibility contexts.

IFR currency window

Six-month period to remain current; after that window, instrument flights in IMC require regaining currency through the listed procedures.

Knowledge test

Written examination required to obtain an instrument rating.