FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)Regulations and CurrencyEasy
A pilot is equipping a single-engine piston airplane for IFR flight and reviews 14 CFR 91.205(d) to identify equipment required for IFR operations beyond what is already required for day VFR flight. Which instrument must be added?
- AGyroscopic pitch-and-bank indicator (attitude indicator)
- BAnti-collision light system
- CMagnetic compass
- DFuel quantity gauge
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Gyroscopic pitch-and-bank indicator (attitude indicator)
14 CFR 91.205(d) adds IFR-specific equipment such as the gyroscopic pitch-and-bank indicator (attitude indicator), gyroscopic direction indicator, gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator, sensitive adjustable altimeter, clock, and a generator/alternator, plus appropriate radio/nav gear. The fuel gauge, magnetic compass, and anti-collision lights are already required under 91.205(b)/(c) for day/night VFR.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Anti-collision lights are a general operating requirement, not IFR-specific.
- C. The magnetic compass is a basic VFR day requirement under 91.205(b).
- D. Fuel gauges are required for all powered flight under 91.205(b).
IFR Equipment List — 91.205(d)
14 CFR 91.205(d) lists additional instruments and equipment required for IFR flight beyond the day/night VFR equipment lists in 91.205(a)-(c).
- Includes generator/alternator, gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator, slip-skid indicator
- Requires a sensitive altimeter adjustable for barometric pressure and a clock with seconds
- Requires gyroscopic attitude and heading indicators plus appropriate radio/nav equipment
Memory trick: GRAB-C: Generator, Rate-of-turn, Attitude, Bank/slip, Clock