Instrument Rating Reading List

Here is my recommended reading list for the Instrument Rating

Please note that this is only relevant for already licensed pilots seeking to add (or refresh) an Instrument Rating.

Handbooks and the like (important fundamental reading)

The following documents are a fundamental part of any instrument pilot's background knowledge. But most of them are rather large and not exactly a quick read for most people. Therefore, I expect every student to read these documents over the course of their instrument training, but I do not expect complete retention or swift completion. (On the retention front, these are references that can always be consulted again if/when necessary.)

• FAR 61.65 - Instrument rating requirements

• Part 91, Subpart B, Subject Group 6 Instrument Flight Rules (§§ 91.167 - 91.195-91.199)

• FAA-H-8083-15B Instrument Flying Handbook (Errata) (Addendum)

• FAA-H-8083-16B Instrument Procedures Handbook

• FAA-S-ACS-8B Instrument Rating ‒ Airplane ACS

• FAA Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide

• FAA Terminal Publication Volumes "Map" - Note: The greater San Francisco Area is in the SW2 area (Northern California)

• FAA Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP), aka Instrument Approach Charts (IAPs)

• AIM, but these sections in particular:

  • 1-1 Navigation Aids

  • 4-4 ATC Clearances and Aircraft Separation

  • 5-2 Departure Procedures

  • 5-3 En Route Procedures

  • 5-4 Arrival Procedures

  • 6-4 Two‐way Radio Communications Failure

• United States Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) (Interesting but optional reading) - This is the rule book for designing and implementing instrument approach procedures

Guides, Primers, Courses, Lessons, Quizzes, Videos, and similar sources of specific information

This section (as opposed to the section above) typically contains documents or other references that are shorter and easier to read/digest in a single sitting, often covering a single topic, or at least a small set of topics that are closely related.

Approaches, Equipment Requirements, etc.

• • • AIM 1-2-3. Use of Suitable Area Navigation (RNAV) Systems on Conventional Procedures and Routes - This explains when you are, and when you are not, allowed to use GPS or WAAS in lieu of ground-based navigation aides. (Note that a Localizer, LOC (in any of its various forms), must always be used directly when it is the primary course guidance.)

    • Everything You Need to Know about RNAV GPS Approaches - All about GPS approaches, by Richie Lengel - Excellent article about the various RNAV GPS approaches, equipment requirements, etc.

The Approach Briefing

• • • FAA Aeronautical Information Services - Aeronautical Chart - Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedure Publications (Everything you need to know about how to read and interpret Instrument Approach Charts) - NB: Once on that page, you must then follow the link for the Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide - Terminal Procedure Publications Only Edition (Unfortunately, they change the location every update cycle, so I can't provide a static link to it.)

    • WRIMTM - How to organize your approach brief by Fred Simonds, from IFR Refresher (Note: I teach an enhanced version of WRIMTM, with two Rs and two Ts: WRRIMTTM: Weather, Route (GPS route/approach), Radios, Instruments, Minima, Timer, Text (NOTAMs and Approach Box notes), and Missed Approach.

The Precision Approach - ILS

• • • The Five Most Common ILS Errors by Fred Simonds

The Circling Approach / Circling Maneuver

• • • Circling Approach Area and Maneuvering Radius from the AIM, Chapter 5, Section 4

    • On Instruments: Circling Challenges - Maneuvering in Sketchy Circumstances - A good article by Thomas A. Horne for AOPA Pilot

Descending Below Minimums

• • • Descent to MDA or DH and Beyond - P-8740-09

    • Operation Below Minimums - My way to remember the required visual references before you may descend below DA/DH or MDA on an instrument approach

    • The ten different items that will allow you to descend below MDA / DA from All About Airplanes - includes images and graphics for many of the items

    • VDP - Visual Descent Point, Purpose and Practical Application - A great paper on the VDP by Norbert Vorstädt

Missed Approach

• • • Missed Approach - Details of how and when to fly a missed approach

Holds - Entering and Holding

• • • Holds and Holding - Demystifying holds and hold entries

IFR Reference / Review Materials

• • • Condensed reference section from the front of every Terminal Procedure Publication (aka, FRNTMATTER.pdf) - Superb condensed reference for the IFR pilot. Chock full of symbols, tables, diagrams, and other references, all explained in a concise, official manner. If you see something on an approach chart that you don't understand this is your go-to reference.

    • FAA Chart User’s Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - This is a more complete IFR approach chart user's guide than the condensed reference given above. Again, this is an excellent reference for anything/everything related to approach charts.

    • Airplane IFR quick-review sheets by Amir Fleminger at Pilotscafe.com - This is a good quick-review document. But caution is advised since it is dated 2011 and a number of FARs and other details have been updated since then.

Miscellaneous

• • • Designing IFR Safety: TERPS by Fred Simonds, from IFR Refresher

    • Alternate Alternatives - from IFR Magazine

    • This Way or That-a-Way - An interesting article about ATC vectors from IFR Magazine

    • Diverse Vector Areas - Another interesting article from IFR Magazine

    • Instrument Approaches in the greater San Francisco Bay Area

    • Approach Sequences - An enumeration of the common approach sequences that I tend to use for instrument instruction

    • The VOR MON (FAA page) - The fallback plan for if/when GPS fails (for any one of a number of reasons)

    • The VOR MON (AOPA page) - AOPA's take on the VOR MON

    • Cold Temperature Restricted Airports

    • Aircraft Icing, AOPA ASF Safety Advisor, Weather - Excellent document about GA aircraft and icing

    • Where are chart supplements and legends in ForeFlight?

    • IFR Procedures - Excellent set of resources by AOPA and the Air Safety Institute (you must be a member of AOPA for access)

    • G1000 reading list (if you will be training in an aircraft with the G1000 or Cirrus Perspective avionics)

    • FAA Interpretation letter WRT counting your flight by reference to instruments time from your private pilot training towards your instrument rating

    • Instrument Proficiency Check Review Guide - This is a free on-line course by FAA Safety (FAASTeam). From the site: "This course offers a structured guide to reviewing IFR rules and procedures for each major phase of flight"

Devices, Apps, and Supplies

• Apple iPad for ForeFlight - See associated info on pilot supplies list

• ForeFlight - See associated info on pilot supplies list

• IFR view limiting device - There are many different options. Some only work for people who do not wear glasses. Some only work for people who do wear glasses. And others work for either. Some of the more common solutions are Foggles, ASA Overcasters, the ASA Jiffyhood, or the Best Hood. You can also just buy a cheap pair of safety glasses and then use duct tape, gaffers tape, masking tape, or similar to block all vision except that needed to see the instruments. I've had a number of students make their own using this method and it usually works out quite well.

When it is time to prepare for your FAA Instrument Rating Written Exam I recommend using:

• Gleim FAA Test Prep Online: Instrument Rating

As you get closer to your checkride you should read the following:

• Oral Exam Guide: Instrument Pilot (by ASA)