Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 

Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group

Page 1 of 3

130408 IFR PTS Tracking Matrix DRAFT for FR Review

PTS Task 

Reference Name of PTS Task ACS Task 

Reference Name of ACS Task Notes & 

Rationale for Changes

I.A. Pilot Qualifications I.A. Pilot Qualifications

Added Risk Management elements related to this task.

Added physiological factors specific to instrument flying.

I.B. Weather Information I.B. Weather Information

Removed Note: If adequate flight planning information is not 

available, the applicant cannot be properly evaluated.

Removed list of specific weather products to allow flexibility in 

weather planning sources.

Added Risk Management elements related to this task.

I.C. Cross-Country Flight Planning I.C. Cross-Country Flight Planning Added risk management elements related to this task.

II.A. Aircraft Systems Related to IFR 

Operations II.A. Aircraft Systems Related to IFR Operations

II.B. Aircraft Flight Instruments and 

Navigation Equipment II.B. Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment

II.C. Instrument Cockpit Check II.C. Instrument Cockpit Check Addressed the tendency to rationalize equipment failures as 

merely erroneous readings.

III.A. Air Traffic Control Clearances III.A. Air Traffic Control Clearances

Many applicants are only familiar with one way of obtaining a 

clearance, either through clearance, delivery or ground control. 

Some are familiar with obtaining a clearance at a non-towered 

airport, but quite typically many pilots are only familiar with one 

way. Added the word “copy” as it is a necessary skill often 

lacking in applicants.

Expanded and added greater objectivity/specificity. 

Accentuates the hazards of being in a hurry and/or rushing that 

a short void time can create. It further reinforces the 

responsibilities of PIC. The number of CFIT accidents 

associated with airborne pickups necessitates this task.

FAA-S-8081-4E, Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards for Airplane, Helicopter, and Powered Lift

Change Tracking Matrix 
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 

Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group

Page 2 of 3

130408 IFR PTS Tracking Matrix DRAFT for FR Review

PTS Task 

Reference Name of PTS Task ACS Task 

Reference Name of ACS Task Notes & 

Rationale for Changes

FAA-S-8081-4E, Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards for Airplane, Helicopter, and Powered Lift

Change Tracking Matrix 

III.B.

Compliance with Departure, En 

Route, and Arrival Procedures 

and Clearances

III.B.

Compliance with Departure, En 

Route, and Arrival Procedures 

and Clearances

Addressed glass cockpits with heading and altitude bugs and 

altitude pre-select (if installed), as well as proper programming 

of GPS/FMS.

III.C. Holding Procedures III.C. Holding Procedures Added risk management elements.

IV.A.

Basic Instrument Flight 

Maneuvers (IA, IH, PL, AA, HA, 

PLA, PC)

IV.A.

Basic Instrument Flight 

Maneuvers (IA, IH, PL, AA, HA, 

PLA, PC)

IV.B. Recovery from Unusual Flight 

Attitudes IV.B. Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes Countermeasure to the loss-of-control problem.

V.A.

Intercepting and Tracking 

Navigational Systems and DME 

Arcs

V.A.

Intercepting and Tracking 

Navigational Systems and DME 

Arcs

VI.A. Nonprecision Approach (NPA) VI.A. Nonprecision Approach (NPA)

VI.B. Precision Approach (PA) VI.B. Precision Approach (PA)

VI.C. Missed Approach VI.C. Missed Approach 

Added knowledge element to ensure applicant knows when to 

cancel “suspend” and sequence the GPS/FMS to the MAP 

holding waypoint.

Added element to ensure applicant knows proper AP usage in 

a MAP.

Added element to ensure applicant understands PIC 

responsibilities and has a “plan B” in place before executing 

the approach.

Added element as an “antidote” to “impulsivity”. 

VI.D. Circling Approach VI.D. Circling Approach

VI.E. Landing From a Straight-In or 

Circling Approach VI.E. Landing From a Straight-In or Circling Approach
Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee 

Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group

Page 3 of 3

130408 IFR PTS Tracking Matrix DRAFT for FR Review

PTS Task 

Reference Name of PTS Task ACS Task 

Reference Name of ACS Task Notes & 

Rationale for Changes

FAA-S-8081-4E, Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards for Airplane, Helicopter, and Powered Lift

Change Tracking Matrix 

VII.A. Loss of Communications VII.A. Loss of Communications

VII.B.

One Engine Inoperative During 

Straight-and-Level Flight and 

Turns (Multiengine Airplane)

VII.B.

One Engine Inoperative During 

Straight-and-Level Flight and 

Turns (Multiengine Airplane)

VII.C.

One Engine Inoperative -- 

Instrument Approach 

(Multiengine Airplane)

VII.C.

One Engine Inoperative -- 

Instrument Approach 

(Multiengine Airplane)

VII.D. Approach with Loss of Primary 

Flight Instrument Indicators VII.D. Approach with Loss of Primary 

Flight Instrument Indicators

VIII.A. Checking Instruments and 

Equipment VIII.A. Checking Instruments and Equipment