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The FAA Instrument Knowledge Test in Drawings Work Every Hold, Approach and IFR Rule in the Same Order

For the knowledge test, the checkride oral or your IPC: pitot-static failures, VOR and the CDI, hold entries, approach charts, the ILS, alternates, IFR fuel and lost comm. Every topic gets its own page: first the drawing, then what you need to remember. 68 illustrated pages.

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Every topic, its own pageEach panel, chart and rule drawn, with the explanation right beside it
68 illustrated pages9 parts, from the IRA knowledge test to the pre-IFR flight checklist
Up-to-date sourcesFAA-H-8083-15 and -16, the AIM, 14 CFR 61/91 and the Instrument ACS
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Look Inside the Book

Every page has one big drawing and a box with the numbers, rules and steps you need to know:

Indicated, true (MSL), absolute (AGL), pressure (29.92) and density, side by side.
Indicated, true (MSL), absolute (AGL), pressure (29.92) and density, side by side.
DME = slant range. Negligible at 1 NM or more per 1,000 ft above the station.
DME = slant range. Negligible at 1 NM or more per 1,000 ft above the station.
300 ft/NM at 90 kt = 450 ft/min: gradient × groundspeed ÷ 60
300 ft/NM at 90 kt = 450 ft/min: gradient × groundspeed ÷ 60
Right turns standard · inbound leg 1 min at or below 14,000 ft MSL, 1½ min above (AIM 5-3-8)
Right turns standard · inbound leg 1 min at or below 14,000 ft MSL, 1½ min above (AIM 5-3-8)
Position to land + flight visibility + one visual reference (14 CFR 91.175(c))
Position to land + flight visibility + one visual reference (14 CFR 91.175(c))
91.185: route Assigned-Vectored-Expected-Filed, altitude the highest of MEA, Expected, Assigned
91.185: route Assigned-Vectored-Expected-Filed, altitude the highest of MEA, Expected, Assigned
±4/±6°, 30 days, 200/230/265 KIAS, 1-2-3, 600-2/800-2, 45 min, 6 in 6
±4/±6°, 30 days, 200/230/265 KIAS, 1-2-3, 600-2/800-2, 45 min, 6 in 6
Scenario questions by ACS Area of Operation, each with its page
Scenario questions by ACS Area of Operation, each with its page

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These are real pages from the book. The table of contents is the full one: 9 parts and 64 topics.

The Problem Isn't You. It's How It Was Explained to You.

You're briefing a departure on the ground. The procedure calls for 300 feet per nautical mile, your groundspeed will be 90 knots, and the question is simple: can this airplane make that climb?

The handbook covers it in two dense paragraphs and a conversion table at the back of the terminal procedures. You read it, you nod, and an hour later you can't rebuild the math in your head.

300 ft/NM at 90 kt = 450 ft/min: gradient × groundspeed ÷ 60

In the book, climb gradients are one page: the climb drawn as a ramp, feet per NM on one side, feet per minute on the other, and one formula in a box. Gradient × groundspeed ÷ 60: 300 at 90 knots is 450 ft/min.

The rest works the same way: hold entries with the 70° line, the five altitudes, the ILS localizer and glide slope, lost comm under 91.185, the 1-2-3 rule. Each one has its own page.

Next time you look at a departure, you work out the number yourself, in the same order, without opening the handbook again.

COMPARE FOR YOURSELF

The Same Topic, Two Ways to Study It

THIS
  • The handbook: line after line of text
  • The ILS and its tolerances explained only in words
  • You show up to the test still unsure
The instrument landing system provides lateral and vertical guidance to a runway by means of a localizer and a glide slope transmitter. The localizer antenna array, located beyond the departure end of the runway, produces a course whose width is normally adjusted between 3 and 6 degrees so that full-scale deflection corresponds to approximately 700 feet at the runway threshold. The glide slope, transmitted from beside the touchdown zone, is usually set at 3 degrees above horizontal and is approximately 1.4 degrees in thickness.
FOR THIS
  • The ILS in one drawing
  • Localizer 3°–6°, 700 ft full scale, glide slope 3°: one box
  • You can redraw it on your kneeboard from memory
DME = slant range. Negligible at 1 NM or more per 1,000 ft above the station.
CONTENTS

Take a Look at the 9 Parts and 64 Topics

The rating at a glance, the pitot-static panel, gyros and scan, navigation systems, charts and departures, holding patterns, approaches, IFR rules and weather, and a final review: 68 pages, all illustrated

IThe Rating at a Glance · pp. 5-8
  1. The IRA knowledge test, drawn as one page
  2. What 14 CFR 61.65 asks you to log
  3. The ACS map: what the DPE can ask
  4. How to use this book: same order on every page
IIThe Pitot-Static Panel · pp. 9-15
  1. Pitot-static system: one tube, one port, three instruments
  2. Blocked pitot: two failures that look different
  3. Blocked static port: the panel freezes
  4. Alternate static source: what changes when you open it
  5. The altimeter: high to low, look out below
  6. Five altitudes on one drawing
  7. Airspeeds and the VSI: trend vs. rate
IIIGyros, Compass and Scan · pp. 16-23
  1. Attitude indicator: rigidity and its limits
  2. Heading indicator: realign every 15 minutes
  3. Turn coordinator and the ball
  4. Magnetic compass errors: ANDS and UNOS
  5. Vacuum failure: flying partial panel
  6. The radial scan: start at the attitude indicator
  7. Control and performance: primary and supporting
  8. Spatial disorientation: four illusions, one rule
IVNavigation Systems · pp. 24-32
  1. VOR basics: radials go FROM the station
  2. Reading the CDI without reverse sensing
  3. VOR checks: the 30-day rule and its tolerances
  4. DME and slant range
  5. NDB and ADF: one equation
  6. The ILS: localizer, glide slope and lights
  7. GPS and RAIM: when the box can be trusted
  8. GPS CDI scaling: 5, 1, 0.3
  9. Intercepting and tracking a course
VCharts, Departures and Altitudes · pp. 33-39
  1. The IFR en route low chart, decoded
  2. The minimum altitudes, one stack
  3. IFR cruising altitudes
  4. Departures: ODP vs. SID
  5. Climb gradients: from ft/NM to ft/min
  6. STARs and descend via
  7. Airspace for the IFR pilot
VIHolding Patterns · pp. 40-45
  1. Anatomy of a hold
  2. Reading a holding clearance
  3. Hold entries in 3 steps
  4. Holding speeds and timing
  5. Wind correction in the hold
  6. DME, GPS and intersection holds
VIIInstrument Approaches · pp. 46-54
  1. The approach chart in one order
  2. The briefing strip, line by line
  3. Approach categories and minimums
  4. DA vs. MDA
  5. Procedure turns, HILPT and NoPT
  6. RNAV (GPS) approaches and the TAA
  7. 3° glide path: descent rate from groundspeed
  8. 91.175: when you can go below DA/MDA
  9. Circling, visual, contact and the missed approach
VIIIIFR Rules, ATC and Weather · pp. 55-63
  1. The IFR clearance: CRAFT
  2. The alternate: the 1-2-3 rule
  3. Alternate minimums: 600-2 and 800-2
  4. IFR fuel: destination, alternate, 45 minutes
  5. Instrument currency: 6 in 6 and the IPC
  6. Required equipment and inspections: GRABCARD
  7. Lost communications: AVEF and MEA
  8. Required reports to ATC
  9. IFR weather: METAR, TAF, AIRMETs and icing
IXFinal Review · pp. 64-68
  1. The pitot-static failure chart
  2. The numbers page
  3. Common mix-ups
  4. Before the oral: questions a DPE can ask
  5. Pre-IFR flight checklist

One Page, One Topic, All Clear

Think of it this way:

You're on a practice approach and your CFII asks: "You're at MDA. What do you need to keep descending?" You need the answer now, not after a page of text.

In the book, you open the 91.175 page and see it drawn: the airplane in position to land, the flight visibility, and one required visual reference, three boxes in a row.

Position to land + flight visibility + one visual reference (14 CFR 91.175(c))

Same with hold entries, the pitot-static failures, the ILS, lost comm and alternate minimums: each one on its own page.

Instrument Rating Illustrated is 9 parts and 68 illustrated pages, one topic each, ending with a final review: the failure chart, the numbers page and the questions a DPE can ask.

What you see drawn, you don't have to memorize.

What's Inside Instrument Rating Illustrated:

Ipp. 5-8

The Rating at a Glance

Know exactly what's ahead: what the IRA knowledge test covers, what 61.65 asks you to log, the ACS map and how every page is laid out.

IIpp. 9-15

The Pitot-Static Panel

The pitot-static system, blocked pitot and static port, the alternate source, the altimeter, the five altitudes, airspeeds and the VSI.

IIIpp. 16-23

Gyros, Compass and Scan

Attitude and heading indicators, the turn coordinator, compass errors, vacuum failure and partial panel, the scan and spatial disorientation.

IVpp. 24-32

Navigation Systems

VOR and the CDI, VOR checks, DME, NDB and ADF, the ILS, GPS and RAIM, CDI scaling and course intercepts.

Vpp. 33-39

Charts, Departures and Altitudes

The en route low chart, minimum altitudes, IFR cruising altitudes, ODPs and SIDs, climb gradients, STARs and airspace.

VIpp. 40-45

Holding Patterns

Copy a holding clearance and fly the right entry without sketching: anatomy of a hold, clearances, entries in 3 steps, speeds and timing, wind correction, DME and GPS holds.

VIIpp. 46-54

Instrument Approaches

The approach chart in one order, the briefing strip, categories and minimums, DA vs. MDA, procedure turns, RNAV, descent rates, 91.175 and the missed approach.

VIIIpp. 55-63

IFR Rules, ATC and Weather

CRAFT clearances, the 1-2-3 rule, alternate minimums, IFR fuel, currency and the IPC, required equipment, lost comm, ATC reports and IFR weather.

IXpp. 64-68

Final Review

The pitot-static failure chart, the numbers page, common mix-ups, questions a DPE can ask and a pre-IFR flight checklist.

At the end of the book: A final review with the pitot-static failure chart, the numbers page, common mix-ups and a pre-IFR checklist.

SHOW ME WHAT'S INSIDE

Plus: 2 Free Books

IRA Practice Workbook: Exam-Style Questions with Explained Answers

BONUS 1: «IRA Practice Workbook: Exam-Style Questions with Explained Answers»

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Test yourself in the knowledge test format and see, for every answer, which page of the book explains why.

IFR Rules Quick Cards

BONUS 2: «IFR Rules Quick Cards»

Value on its own: US$ 14.90

Currency, alternate minimums, the 1-2-3 rule, IFR fuel and required equipment on printable cards you can review in a few minutes before a lesson.

Instrument Rating Illustrated with 2 Free Books

  • Instrument Rating Illustrated: 68 illustrated pagesUS$ 63
  • BONUS 1: IRA Practice Workbook: Exam-Style Questions with Explained AnswersUS$ 17.90
  • BONUS 2: IFR Rules Quick CardsUS$ 14.90
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Total value US$ 95.80
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Who This Book Is For

You're working on your instrument rating

You're working on your instrument rating

Between lessons, you review the page for what you flew that day: the hold, the approach, partial panel. Same order every time, so it sticks.

Your knowledge test is coming up

Your knowledge test is coming up

The numbers page puts alternates, fuel and currency in one place, and the practice workbook points every answer back to the page that explains it.

You're rated and getting current again

You're rated and getting current again

Before your IPC or your first approach in months, go back through the approach chart order, lost comm and 6 in 6, one page at a time.

Everything You Get Today

US$ 95.80US$ 27
YES, I WANT INSTRUMENT RATING ILLUSTRATED FOR US$ 27

📄 This is a digital PDF book sent to your email: nothing is printed or shipped.

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We refund everything if the file won't open, if the book isn't what you see here, if you were charged twice or if the email doesn't arrive. Just email us.

You pay once. No subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it for me if I already have my private pilot certificate?

Yes. It's written for private pilots working toward the rating and for instrument-rated pilots getting current again. It starts from the panel you already know and builds up to approaches and IFR rules.

Where does the content come from?

From the FAA Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B), the Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), the AIM, 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91 and the Instrument Rating – Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), checked against those current editions. Always confirm against the latest FAA publications before you fly.

Is it official FAA material?

No. It's an independent illustrated study book built on the official FAA sources. It isn't published or endorsed by the FAA, and it doesn't include a certificate or the knowledge test endorsement: that comes from your CFII or an authorized ground school.

Does it replace ground school or my CFII?

No. It's a study companion. Your question app tells you which answer is right; this book shows you why, one drawing per topic, so you can rebuild it in the airplane or on the oral. Your training, your CFII, the AIM and the current charts and publications always come first.

Are the practice questions the ones from the real test?

No. They're written for this book in the knowledge test format, and each answer points to the page that explains it.

When and how do I get it?

The book and the 2 free books arrive as PDFs by email, at the address you enter at checkout.

Do I have to pay every month?

No. It's a one-time payment, with no subscription.

Can I have it on paper?

Yes. It's a PDF you can print at home or at a print shop, or keep on your tablet. The drawn charts are illustrative and not for navigation.

How does the refund work?

You have 30 days. We refund everything if the file won't open, if the book isn't what you see on this page, if you were charged twice or if the email doesn't arrive: just email us.

Before You Close This Page

No more rereading the handbook with nothing sticking.

Hold entries: you see them drawn, and that's it.

You walk into the knowledge test knowing where everything is.

Drawings make studying faster.

The book is right below.

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