Airman Certification Standards
ACS IH.IV.A
Instrument Flight
Knowledge
Elements related to attitude instrument flying during straight-and-level flight, climbs, turns, and descents while conducting various instrument flight procedures.
Interpretation, operation, and limitations of pitch, bank, and power instruments.
Normal and abnormal instrument indications and operations.
Risk Management
Situations that can affect physiology and degrade instrument cross-check.
Spatial disorientation and optical illusions.
Flying unfamiliar helicopter or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.
Skill
Maintain altitude ±100 feet during level flight, selected headings ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, and bank angles ±5° during turns.
Use proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and apply the appropriate pitch, bank, power, and trim corrections when applicable.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.