Instrument Procedures Handbook

This handbook supersedes FAA-H-8261-16A, Instrument Procedures Handbook, dated 2015. It is designed as a technical reference for all pilots who operate under instrument flight rules (IFR) in the National Airspace System (NAS). It expands and updates information contained in the FAA-H-8083-15B, Instrument Flying Handbook, and introduces advanced information for IFR operations. Instrument flight instructors, instrument pilots, and instrument students will also find this handbook a valuable resource since it is used as a reference for the Airline Transport Pilot and Instrument Knowledge Tests and for the Practical Test Standards. It also provides detailed coverage of instrument charts and procedures including IFR takeoff, departure, en route, arrival, approach, and landing. Safety information covering relevant subjects such as runway incursion, land and hold short operations, controlled flight into terrain, and human factors issues also are included. 

This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used instrument procedures. Occasionally, the word “must”or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve pilots of their responsibility imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). 

It is essential for persons using this handbook to also become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). The CFR, AIM, this handbook, AC 00-2.15, Advisory Circular Checklist, which transmits the current status of FAA advisory circulars, and other FAA technical references are available via the internet at the FAA Home Page http://www.faa.gov. Information regarding the purchase of FAA subscription aeronautical navigation products, such as charts, Chart Supplements (including the Airport/Facility Directory), and other publications can be accessed at http://faacharts.faa.gov. 



Now, this handbook has been reformatted to deliver an amazing reading experience on your iPad. 



Chapter 1 - Departure Procedures 

Chapter 2 - En Route Operations 

Chapter 3 - Arrivals

Chapter 4 - Approaches  

Chapter 5 - Improvement Plans 

Chapter 6 - Airborne Navigation Databases

Chapter 7 - Helicopter Instrument Proced



This handbook includes over 500 optimized illustrations, images, animations and widgets. 



Features Swipe-friendly photo galleries, tap or use two fingers to enlarge any photo and view it full screen on iPad. Interactive images with callouts and pan-and zoom functions. Glossary references to  Advisory Circular, FAA orders and 14 CFR  throughout the handbook that you can tap to view definitions. Highlighting and Note-taking with your finger by swipe over any text and it’s highlighted. You can change colors, switch to underlining, or add a note instantly.  All your notes and highlights automatically appear on study cards. Flip them over and find the definition of a glossary term or the note attached to the highlighted passage.



This handbook is available for download, in PDF format, from the FAA’s Regulations and Policies website