Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards for Airplane, Helicopter and Powered Lift (2024)

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FAA-S-8081-4E is current in 2024. Use these test standards for Instrument Rating for Helicopter and Powered Lift. Instrument Rating for Airplane applicants should use the newer Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-8B).

ASA reprints the most current FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) in this series of handy cockpit-sized guides. The PTS guide students, instructors, and FAA-designated examiners through checkrides. Written by the FAA, these books list the knowledge and experience prerequisites, the levels of skill that must be demonstrated before an examiner can issue a certificate or rating to an applicant, and describe background study and reference materials.