IFR Regulations — FAR 61 & 91 Currency

IFR Regulations

DPE Favorite

IFR currency, alternate requirements, and required equipment (GRABCARD) are among the most-asked oral exam topics. Know the numbers cold: 6 approaches / 6 months, 24-month pitot-static and transponder, 30-day VOR check, the 1-2-3 rule.

Key Takeaways

Instrument currency (§61.57(c)): within the preceding 6 calendar months — 6 approaches, holding, and intercepting/tracking courses.
Months 7–12 are a grace period: you can't act as PIC under IFR but can regain currency (safety pilot / sim); past 12 months requires an IPC.
An IPC must be given by a CFII, DPE, or authorized examiner and covers the Instrument ACS.
IFR PIC needs at least a third-class medical or BasicMed.

Instrument Currency (61.57(c))

Within preceding 6 calendar months: 6 approaches, holding procedures, intercepting/tracking courses
Can be accomplished in actual IMC, simulated IMC (hood + safety pilot), FFS, FTD, or ATD
Months 7-12: Grace period — cannot act as PIC under IFR but can regain currency
After 12 months without currency: Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) required

Window	Status	Meaning
Within 6 months	Current	May act as PIC under IFR. Requires 6 approaches, holding, and intercepting/tracking courses in the preceding 6 calendar months
Months 7–12	Not current	May NOT act as PIC under IFR. May still regain currency by flying the §61.57(c) tasks with a safety pilot, or in an FFS/FTD/ATD
Past 12 months	IPC required	Only an instrument proficiency check restores currency — the tasks alone no longer count. Given by a CFII, examiner, or other authorized check pilot

The second six months is not permission to fly IFR — only time to fix it yourself before an IPC becomes mandatory.

14 CFR §61.57(c)

Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)

Required when currency lapses beyond 12 calendar months
Must be given by a CFII, DPE, or examiner authorized by the Administrator
Covers tasks from the Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C)
Satisfies the 6-month instrument currency requirements upon completion

14 CFR §61.57(d)

Medical Certificate Requirements

Third-class medical (or BasicMed) minimum for PIC under IFR
Duration: Under 40 — 60 calendar months; 40+ — 24 calendar months
BasicMed: Requires state driver's license + medical exam within 48 months + online course
Student pilots cannot file or fly IFR (no instrument rating)

14 CFR §61.23

Key Takeaways

Inoperative equipment goes through the MEL if the aircraft has one, otherwise the §91.213(d) decision tree (most GA uses the tree).
§91.213(d): if the item is required by §91.205, the AFM/KOEL, or an AD, it must be operative — otherwise placard INOP, log it, and fly.
The KOEL (in the POH) lists what's required for Day VFR / Night VFR / IFR — honor it.
Quick gut-check by phase: TOMATOFLAMES (VFR day), FLAPS (adds for night), GRABCARD (adds for IFR).

§91.213 — Inoperative Instruments/Equipment

Two pathways: (1) MEL (Minimum Equipment List) if aircraft has one, or (2) the §91.213(d) decision tree
Most GA aircraft do NOT have an MEL — use the §91.213(d) process instead
The DPE will absolutely ask this on the oral — know the flow cold
Key concept: Just because something is broken doesn't automatically ground the aircraft
But: Some items are ALWAYS required — you cannot fly IFR without them regardless of MEL or §91.213(d)

14 CFR §91.213

§91.213(d) Decision Tree (No MEL)

Step 1: Is the item on the REQUIRED equipment list? (Check §91.205, ADs, STC, KOEL, and Type Certificate)
Step 2: Is it required by the aircraft's equipment list or POH/AFM for the kind of operation?
Step 3: Is it required by an Airworthiness Directive (AD)?
If YES to any of Steps 1-3 → The item MUST be operative. Aircraft is NOT airworthy for the intended flight.
If NO to all → The item may be deactivated or removed; placard "INOPERATIVE," make a logbook entry, and fly
A&P/IA may need to deactivate/remove the equipment; pilot can only placard and deactivate switches

14 CFR §91.213(d)

KOEL — Kinds of Operations Equipment List

Found in the POH/AFM, Section 6 (Weight & Balance) or supplements
Lists equipment required for specific operations: Day VFR, Night VFR, IFR
If an item is listed as "Required for IFR" in the KOEL, it must be operative for IFR flight
Not all aircraft have a KOEL — many older GA aircraft don't. Fall back to §91.205 + ADs
Example: A Garmin GNS 430W may be in the KOEL as required for IFR GPS approaches — if it fails, no GPS approaches

POH/AFM / ACS II.A

Practical Application — Common Scenarios

Landing light inoperative? NOT required for Part 91 operations (day or night) — placard and fly
Attitude indicator fails? Required for IFR (§91.205(d)) — cannot fly IFR; can fly VFR day if other gyros work
DME inoperative? Required by §91.205(e) above FL240. Below FL240 with GPS → can use GPS in lieu of DME
Second VHF comm radio out? Not required by §91.205 (only one comm radio required) — placard and fly, but consider safety
Autopilot inoperative? Not required by §91.205(d) — placard, deactivate, and fly hand-flown IFR
When in doubt: Check TOMATOFLAMES (VFR day), FLAPS (VFR night adds), GRABCARD (IFR adds)

14 CFR §91.213(d) / ACS II.A

Key Takeaways

Run a full instrument cockpit check before every IFR flight (ACS II.B) — verify the instruments agree and make sense.
The altimeter must read within 75 ft of field elevation, and the suction gauge must sit in the green arc.
The heading indicator shouldn't precess more than 3° in 15 minutes; set it to the magnetic compass.
Check nav/comm: VOR centered with correct TO/FROM, current GPS database + RAIM/WAAS, radios send and receive.

Instrument Cockpit Check — Before Every IFR Flight

This is a systematic check of ALL flight instruments before departing IFR
Not a regulatory requirement by number, but ACS Task II.B expects it and DPEs ask about it
Think of it as your "instrument confidence check" — verifying instruments agree and make sense
Do this during taxi and engine run-up; some items check during takeoff roll
Mnemonic: Different instructors use different flows; the key is having a consistent personal checklist

IFH Ch. 5 / ACS II.B

Pitot-Static Instruments Check

Altimeter: Set current altimeter setting → should read within 75 feet of field elevation (per §91.411)
Airspeed Indicator: Should read zero (or close) on the ground; pitot heat ON before taxi in precip/cold
Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI): Should read zero on level ground; note any deviation as "zero error"
If altimeter is off by more than 75 feet → it has not been properly calibrated; do not depart IFR

14 CFR §91.411 / IFH Ch. 5

Gyroscopic Instruments Check

Attitude Indicator (AI): Erect and stable after warm-up (3-5 minutes); horizon bar level, miniature airplane wings level
Heading Indicator (HI): Set to magnetic compass on straight, level ground; should not precess more than 3° in 15 minutes
Turn Coordinator/Turn & Slip: Ball centered on level ground; during taxi turns, miniature airplane tilts in direction of turn
Vacuum/suction gauge: Within green arc (typically 4.5-5.5 inHg) — if low, gyros may be unreliable in flight
Glass cockpit: AHRS alignment complete, no flags, PFD/MFD displaying normally; check standby instruments too

IFH Ch. 5 / ACS II.B

Navigation & Communication Check

VOR: Tuned to known station, CDI centered with correct TO/FROM, OBS set to known radial
GPS: Database current, satellites acquired, RAIM available (or WAAS functional), route loaded and verified
COM radios: Receive ATIS/AWOS, check both radios transmit and receive
Transponder: Set to STBY before taxi; ALT mode with assigned code after clearance
Audio panel: Verify correct radio selected for transmit/receive; check intercom if applicable
Marker beacons: Test lamp during ground check if available

ACS II.B / IFH Ch. 5

Key Takeaways

A VOR check is required within 30 days for IFR (§91.171), with four methods at different tolerances.
Tolerances: VOT ±4°, ground checkpoint ±4°, airborne checkpoint ±6°, dual-VOR cross-check within 4°.
VOT: OBS 360° → FROM, 180° → TO; the dual-VOR check is the most practical day to day.
Log date, place, bearing error, and your signature.

VOR Check Methods — Know All Four

Required within 30 days for IFR flight per §91.171
Four methods available, each with different allowable error tolerances
You MUST log: Date, place, bearing error, and signature in the aircraft records
If no VOR check has been done in 30 days → cannot use VOR for IFR navigation
Even if GPS-equipped, the VOR check is still required if VOR equipment is installed and you plan to use it as a backup

14 CFR §91.171

VOT (VOR Test Facility) — ±4°

Tune to VOT frequency (listed in Chart Supplement under "VOR Receiver Checkpoints")
Set OBS to 360° → CDI should center with a FROM indication
Set OBS to 180° → CDI should center with a TO indication
Allowable error: ±4° (the tightest ground tolerance)
Best method: Available at some airports; check Chart Supplement for locations

14 CFR §91.171(a)

Ground & Airborne Checkpoints — ±4° / ±6°

Ground checkpoint: Specific location on the airport surface with a designated radial; listed in Chart Supplement
Taxi to the checkpoint, tune VOR, set the published radial → CDI should center; allowable error ±4°
Airborne checkpoint: Fly over a designated location at a specified altitude; listed in Chart Supplement
Allowable error for airborne: ±6° (more tolerance because of positioning difficulty)
Dual VOR check: Compare two VOR receivers on the same station — must agree within 4° of each other; most practical for daily ops

14 CFR §91.171(b)(c)(d)

VOR Check Logging — What to Record

Date of check
Place (airport identifier or checkpoint location)
Bearing error (how many degrees off the expected radial)
Signature of pilot performing the check
Example log entry: "04/10/2026, KLGB VOT, 002° FROM = +2° error, [signature]"
Keep the log current and accessible — the DPE will ask to see it during the oral

14 CFR §91.171(d)

Key Takeaways

§91.103: the PIC must review ALL available information — weather, fuel, alternatives, runway lengths/performance, and NOTAMs (D and FDC).
Receive and comply with the ATC clearance (CRAFT) before flying IFR in controlled airspace; read back hold-short, runway, and altimeter.
Minimum IFR altitudes (§91.177): at/above the MEA, or 2,000 ft (mountainous) / 1,000 ft (non-mountainous) above obstacles within 4 NM.
§91.3 gives the PIC final authority — and the right to refuse a clearance that compromises safety.

Preflight Action (91.103)

PIC must become familiar with ALL available information concerning the flight
For IFR: Weather reports/forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives, known traffic delays
Runway lengths and aircraft performance for departure and destination (+ alternate)
NOTAMs — both D (Distant) and FDC (Flight Data Center) for all airports

14 CFR §91.103

ATC Clearance & Instructions

PIC must receive and comply with ATC clearance before operating IFR in controlled airspace
CRAFT: Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder code
Read back all hold short instructions, runway assignments, and altimeter settings
PIC authority: You can refuse any clearance if it compromises safety (91.3)

14 CFR §91.123

Minimum IFR Altitudes (91.177)

Unless ATC assigns otherwise: Fly at or above the MEA for the route segment
In mountainous areas: ≥2,000' above highest obstacle within 4 NM of course
In non-mountainous areas: ≥1,000' above highest obstacle within 4 NM of course
If no applicable MEA: Use the minimum altitudes above

Case	Minimum	Notes
Charted route	Parts 95/97	Fly the published minimum. If both an MEA and MOCA exist you may descend to the MOCA — on VOR, only within 22 NM of the station
Mountainous	2,000 ft	Above the highest obstacle within 4 NM of course, where no minimum is published
Non-mountainous	1,000 ft	Above the highest obstacle within 4 NM of course, where no minimum is published

Both obstacle figures are measured within 4 NM either side of course — the difference is only 1,000 vs 2,000 ft.

14 CFR §91.177

Go Deeper

Question about instrument currency, the §91.213(d) inop-equipment flow, or alternate requirements? Ask Kit for a CFI-level explanation.

“Walk me through the 91.213(d) inoperative-equipment decision tree”

Training aid only — verify all data against your POH and current FAA publications.

Key Takeaways

Instrument Currency (61.57(c))

Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)

Medical Certificate Requirements

Key Takeaways

Pitot-Static & Altimeter (91.411)

Transponder (91.413)

VOR Receiver Check (91.171)

IFR Required Equipment — GRABCARD

Key Takeaways

§91.213 — Inoperative Instruments/Equipment

§91.213(d) Decision Tree (No MEL)

KOEL — Kinds of Operations Equipment List

Practical Application — Common Scenarios

Key Takeaways

Instrument Cockpit Check — Before Every IFR Flight

Pitot-Static Instruments Check

Gyroscopic Instruments Check

Navigation & Communication Check

Key Takeaways

VOR Check Methods — Know All Four

VOT (VOR Test Facility) — ±4°

Ground & Airborne Checkpoints — ±4° / ±6°

VOR Check Logging — What to Record

Key Takeaways

IFR Flight Plan Requirements (91.173)

Alternate Airport Requirements (91.169)

Fuel Requirements (91.167)

Key Takeaways

Preflight Action (91.103)

ATC Clearance & Instructions

Minimum IFR Altitudes (91.177)