Airworthy Prep

Instrument Rating Airplane test code

IR.I.B.K3aPreflight Preparation: Weather Information

Instrument Rating Airplane test standard, area of operation I, task B

Written as ir.i.b.k3a or IR.I.B.K3a on your score report.

The FAA's wording

Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination for flights conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to include expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:

Atmospheric composition and stability.

FAA-S-ACS-8C, Instrument Rating - Airplane ACS (November 2023, effective May 31, 2024), I. Preflight Preparation, Task B. Weather Information

What it means

IR.I.B.K3a is a knowledge element in the Preflight Preparation area of operation of the Instrument Rating Airplane test standard. A knowledge element is something the FAA expects you to know, and the written test asks questions on it.

IR
Instrument Rating Airplane ACS
I
Area of operation I: Preflight Preparation
B
Task B: Weather Information
K3a
Part (a) of knowledge element 3

Seeing it on your score report

Your Airman Knowledge Test Report lists a code for each area where you missed a question. Seeing IR.I.B.K3a there means at least one of your wrong answers was on this element. If you are taking the practical test next, expect the examiner to ask about it. Retaking the written? Start with this code and the others on your report.

Sources: FAA-S-ACS-8C, Instrument Rating - Airplane ACS (November 2023, effective May 31, 2024); FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (revised 9/25/26), p. 2.

Can be printed on 5 tests
  • Instrument Rating Airplane Canadian Conversion (ICP)
  • Instrument Rating Airplane EU Part-FCL Conversion (IEP)
  • Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via BASA (61.71) (IFB)
  • Instrument Rating Foreign Pilot via Non-BASA (61.75) (IFP)
  • Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)

Got more than one code on your report?

Paste them all into the free study planner and it groups them by subject, most missed first.