New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC

For many instrument rating applicants, preparing for the checkride can feel like drinking from a firehose. The FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS) clearly define what applicants must know, consider, and demonstrate, but they often leave students wondering how those standards are actually evaluated during the practical test.

To help bridge that gap, PilotWorkshops has introduced Checkride Insights: Instrument Rating, a new training resource that adds practical context and examiner perspectives directly alongside the ACS.

While the guide is designed for instrument rating applicants, it also includes a dedicated section on the Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC), making it a valuable resource for already-rated instrument pilots looking to regain IFR currency. Since IPCs are based on many of the same ACS standards used during an instrument checkride, the examiner insights and practical guidance apply equally well to pilots preparing for either evaluation.

The publication uses a simple but powerful format: the official ACS appears on one side of the page, while annotations from chief instructors, check airmen, and designated pilot examiners (DPEs) appear alongside the relevant standards. These notes explain how tasks are typically evaluated, identify common mistakes, and highlight areas where applicants often struggle.

Rather than encouraging applicants to memorize ACS elements, the guide focuses on understanding how the standards are applied in real-world IFR flying. Topics range from flight planning and weather analysis to instrument approaches, missed approaches, and cockpit workload management.

One of the most valuable aspects of the guide is its ability to provide context. An ACS requirement may seem straightforward on paper, but the accompanying notes reveal the types of scenarios, follow-up questions, and decision-making discussions that frequently arise during both the oral exam and flight portion of a practical evaluation.

For IFR Focus readers, the IPC content may be especially valuable. Whether you’re preparing for an initial instrument rating, returning to instrument flying after a lapse in currency, or simply looking to sharpen your IFR skills, understanding how the ACS is applied in a practical evaluation can make training more focused and effective.

The result is a study resource designed to help pilots prepare more efficiently, reduce anxiety, and develop a deeper understanding of the standards they’ll be expected to meet.

Checkride Insights: Instrument Rating is available in both digital and spiral-bound print formats and can be used as a companion to traditional instrument training materials and the FAA ACS.

As instrument pilots know, success during a checkride—or an IPC—isn’t just about knowing the standards. It’s about understanding how to apply them in realistic situations. Resources that provide that additional context can make preparation more practical, efficient, and ultimately more successful.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed.Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including IFRFocus.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

Latest posts by Eric Radtke (see all)

• New AIM Now Available, Highlights a Simple Way to Improve IFR Proficiency - July 21, 2026
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• New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC - June 9, 2026