Airworthy PrepArea I of 8
Preflight Preparation
26% of the Instrument Rating test, about 16 of the 60 questions. The FAA's test standard lists 3 tasks and 42 knowledge elements and 19 risk management elements for this area. Here is every one, plus sample questions to try.
What the FAA tests
From the Instrument Rating Airplane test standard, FAA-S-ACS-8C.
Task A. Pilot Qualifications
Knowledge: what you must know
- IR.I.A.K1Certification requirements, recency of experience, and recordkeeping.
- IR.I.A.K2Privileges and limitations.
- IR.I.A.K3Part 68 BasicMed privileges and limitations.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
Task B. Weather Information
Knowledge: what you must know
- IR.I.B.K1Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.
- IR.I.B.K2Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:
- IR.I.B.K2aAirport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)
- IR.I.B.K2bSurface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)
- IR.I.B.K2cTerminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)
- IR.I.B.K2dGraphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)
- IR.I.B.K2eWind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)
- IR.I.B.K2fConvective Outlook (AC)
- IR.I.B.K2gInflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET
- IR.I.B.K3Meteorology 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:
- IR.I.B.K3aAtmospheric composition and stability
- IR.I.B.K3bWind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)
- IR.I.B.K3cTemperature and heat exchange
- IR.I.B.K3dMoisture/precipitation
- IR.I.B.K3eWeather system formation, including air masses and fronts
- IR.I.B.K3fClouds
- IR.I.B.K3gTurbulence
- IR.I.B.K3hThunderstorms and microbursts
- IR.I.B.K3iIcing and freezing level information
- IR.I.B.K3jFog/mist
- IR.I.B.K3kFrost
- IR.I.B.K3lObstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)
- IR.I.B.K4Flight deck instrument displays of digital weather and aeronautical information.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- IR.I.B.R1Making the go/no-go and continue/divert decisions, including:
- IR.I.B.R1aCircumstances that would make diversion prudent
- IR.I.B.R1bPersonal weather minimums
- IR.I.B.R1cHazardous weather conditions, including known or forecast icing or turbulence aloft
- IR.I.B.R2Use and limitations of:
- IR.I.B.R2aInstalled onboard weather equipment
- IR.I.B.R2bAviation weather reports and forecasts
- IR.I.B.R2cInflight weather resources
Task C. Cross-Country Flight Planning
Knowledge: what you must know
- IR.I.C.K1Route planning, including consideration of:
- IR.I.C.K1aAvailable navigational facilities
- IR.I.C.K1bSpecial use airspace
- IR.I.C.K1cPreferred routes
- IR.I.C.K1dPrimary and alternate airports
- IR.I.C.K1eEnroute charts
- IR.I.C.K1fChart Supplements
- IR.I.C.K1gNOTAMS
- IR.I.C.K1hTerminal Procedures Publications (TPP)
- IR.I.C.K2Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of airplane, IFR cruising altitudes, effect of wind, and oxygen requirements.
- IR.I.C.K3Calculating:
- IR.I.C.K3aTime, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
- IR.I.C.K3bEstimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
- IR.I.C.K3cFuel requirements, including reserve
- IR.I.C.K4Elements of an IFR flight plan.
- IR.I.C.K5Procedures for activating and closing an IFR flight plan in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
Try 3 sample questions
Using the figure, you will depart Runway 11 at Grand Junction and expect a groundspeed of 90 knots in the climb. What minimum rate of climb meets the published takeoff minimum for that runway?
Your logbook shows these instrument tasks, all flown in an airplane in simulated instrument conditions with a qualified safety pilot: on 10 February 2026, three approaches, a holding pattern, and intercepting and tracking VOR courses; on 22 May 2026, three more approaches. You have logged nothing since. Based only on these entries, what is the last date on which you could act as pilot in command under IFR?
Your destination TAF reads: FM151800 22012KT P6SM SCT040 PROB30 1520/1523 3SM TSRA BKN025CB. You plan to arrive about 2130Z on the 15th. How should you read the PROB30 group?
Practice all of preflight preparation
The full course has questions on every element listed here, with an explanation and FAA source for each.