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IR.VI.A — Non-precision Approach

IR.VI.A for the Instrument Rating Airplane ACS: official objective, references, and 26 exact knowledge, risk-management, and skill descriptions.

FAA-S-ACS-8C, November 2023. This study page does not replace the current FAA publication or an examiner's plan of action.

Official task context

IR.VI.A official ACS context
Certificate or ratingInstrument Rating
Aircraft categoryAirplane
Area of operationArea of Operation VI. Instrument Approach Procedures
TaskTask A. Non-precision Approach
Task code prefixIR.VI.A
Official references14 CFR part 91; AC 120-108; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-16, FAA-H-8083-25; Terminal Procedures Publications
FAA documentFAA-S-ACS-8C — Instrument Rating – Airplane Airman Certification Standards
FAA source libraryOpen the official ACS library

Official task objective

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing non-precision approach procedures solely by reference to instruments.

What the ACS code means

  • IR identifies the ACS standard family used for this Instrument Rating Airplane document.
  • VI identifies Instrument Approach Procedures, the Area of Operation.
  • A identifies Non-precision Approach, the Task within that Area.
  • K, R, and S identify knowledge, risk-management, and skill elements. The number selects the item; a trailing lowercase letter identifies a listed sub-element.

Knowledge elements

Official ACS knowledge items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
IR.VI.A.K1Procedures and limitations associated with a non-precision approach, including the differences between Localizer Performance (LP) and Lateral Navigation (LNAV) approach guidance.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
IR.VI.A.K2Navigation system indications and annunciations expected during an area navigation (RNAV) approach.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
IR.VI.A.K3Ground-based and satellite-based navigation systems used for a non-precision approach.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.
IR.VI.A.K4A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.Explain the element, apply it to a scenario, and connect the answer to current references or aircraft information when relevant.

Risk management elements

Official ACS risk management items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
IR.VI.A.R1Deviating from the assigned approach procedure.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
IR.VI.A.R2Selecting a navigation frequency.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
IR.VI.A.R3Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
IR.VI.A.R4Aircraft configuration during an approach and missed approach.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
IR.VI.A.R5An unstable approach, including excessive descent rates.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
IR.VI.A.R6Deteriorating weather conditions on approach.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.
IR.VI.A.R7Operating below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without proper visual references.Work through a scenario by identifying the hazard, evaluating the risk, and explaining a practical mitigation or decision.

Skills elements

Official ACS skills items and mock-oral treatment
ACS codeOfficial descriptionHow a mock oral can probe it
IR.VI.A.S1Accomplish the non-precision instrument approaches selected by the evaluator.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S2Establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S3Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S4Comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S5Recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S6Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S7Complete the appropriate checklist(s).Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S8Establish the appropriate aircraft configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S9Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S10Adjust the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, for factors that include Notices of Air Missions (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment, etc.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S11Establish a stabilized descent to the appropriate altitude.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S12For the final approach segment, maintain no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, airspeed ±10 knots, and altitude, if applicable, above MDA +100/-0 feet to the Visual Descent Point (VDP) or missed approach point (MAP).Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S13Assess if the required visual references are available, and either initiate the missed approach procedure or continue for landing.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S14Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.
IR.VI.A.S15Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.Describe the procedure, interpretation, or decision process that can be discussed during an oral. Physical aircraft performance remains part of the practical test.

Difficulty data

Difficulty calibration is ongoing for this Task. A difficulty estimate is published only with a sufficiently large, privacy-preserving first directly recorded assessment sample. Any observed difficulty comes from Checkride AI mock-oral practice assessments and is a practice-data proxy, not an FAA practical-test pass or fail rate.

Difficulty calibration remains ongoing until an item clears the private reporting threshold. Percentages, when available, describe the share who needed review on their first directly recorded assessment. Underlying sample sizes are never published, and historical final states are not backfilled into this measure.

Official task notes

  • See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.

How to use this in a mock oral

A mock examiner can ask you to explain the published elements, apply them to the configured aircraft and airport scenario, identify risks, and defend a decision. The prompts are practice scenarios; they are not claimed to be actual FAA examiner scripts or a prediction of the questions you will receive.

Practice in a mock oral

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