Instrument Procedures
Handbook
U.S. Department of Transportation
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Flight Standards Service
Preface
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.
This handbook is available for download, in PDF format, from the FAA’s Regulations and Policies website at:
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/
This handbook is published by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight
Technologies Division.
Comments regarding this publication should be sent, in email form, to the following address: 9-AWA-AFS400-Coord@
faa.gov.
John Barbagello for John S. Duncan
Executive Director, Flight Standards Service
09/14/2017
Acknowledgments
The following individuals and their organizations are gratefully acknowledged for their valuable contribution and
commitment to the publication of this handbook:
FAA Project Managers: Joel Dickinson and Phil Prasse
Technical Writer: Tara Jones
Technical Illustrator: Melissa Spears
Subject Matter Experts: Barry Billman, John Blair, John Bordy, Kel Christianson, Wes Combs, Nolan Crawford,
Joel Dickinson, Sean Flack, Janet Greenwood, Scott Jerdan, Jeff Kerr, Terry King, Alex Krause, Joe Lintzenich,
Barry Miller, John Moore, T.J. Nichols, Jerel Pawley, Gary Petty, Jeff Rawdon, Christopher Rice, Jim Rose, Jim
Seabright, Dan Salvano, Lou Volchansky, Paul Von Hoene, Dan Wacker, and Mike Webb. Flight Service and
various Flight Standards offices also made subject matter contributions.
The FAA also wishes to acknowledge the following contributors:
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (www.aopa.org) for images used in chapter 5.
• Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (www.volpe.dot.gov) for images used in chapter 5.
• Gary and Cecil Tweets at ASAP , Inc. (www.asapinc.net) for images used in chapter 1.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center for images used in chapter 4.
• Google Earth for photos/images used in chapter 4.
• The staff of the U.S. Air Force Flight Standards Agency and Advanced Instrument School for various inputs.
• Additional apprec iation is extended to the Airman Certi fication System Wo rking Group for its
technical recommendations, support, and inputs.
Notice
The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear
herein solely because they are considered essential to the objective of this handbook.
Summary of Changes
FAA-H-8083-16B, Instrument Procedures Handbook, 2017
This handbook supersedes FAA-H-8083-16A, Instrument Procedures Handbook dated 2015, and contains several
changes and updates. While this revision contains updated information, it retains the organization and the same
order of presentation as earlier versions. Some updated graphics and editorial wording changes have been made
for clarity or consistency. In multiple places, we corrected or updated terminology as follows: “instrument approach
plates” to be “instrument approach charts”; “airplane” to “aircraft” where the context applies to all aircraft; Airport/
Facility Directory (A/FD) to “Chart Supplement (CS)” or “Digital Chart Supplement (d-CS)” except where the context
refers to the A/FD section of the CS or d-CS; and “Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)” to “Helicopter Air
Ambulance (HAA)” . We suggest that the content changes, which are listed below, be thoroughly reviewed.
Chapter 1
• Reworded paragraph “Alternate Minimums for Commercial Operators, ” regarding requirements for Part 121 and
135 operators. Clarified a sentence indicating it pertains to alternate airports rather than all airports.
• Updated paragraph “Departures from Airports Without an Operating Control Tower”regarding obtaining information
from a Flight Service Station (FSS). Changed references from “Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS)” to “Flight
Service Station (FSS). ” Added information about finding the phone number to use, when there is a direct line to
the controlling Air Traffic Control (ATC) Facility, to obtain a clearance.
Chapter 2
• Added indication that area navigation (RNAV) specific information is sometimes depicted on Victor routes to
paragraph “IFR En Route Low Altitude Chart. ”
• Updated figure 2-30, which depicts a Joint Victor/RNAV airway route, to be more realistic by removing a Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) minimum en route IFR altitude (MEA) that was a higher altitude than the
conventional MEA for the same fix pair. The GNSS MEA should only be depicted when it is lower than the altitude
of the conventional MEA.
Chapter 3
• Changed paragraph “Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs)” to the following:
o Clarified that STARs end at a fix that allows radar vectors and, at some locations, also allows the option to
connect to an approach.
o Explained that the descent gradient on a STAR will have to vary to meet altitude restrictions, if any, along
the particular route.
o Updated the explanation of descent gradient on a STAR based on new guidance in FAA Order 8260.3, U.S.
Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS), that was changed in March 2016.
• Changed paragraph “RNAV STARs or STAR Transitions” to the following:
o Updated the explanation of design guidance for an RNAV STAR.
o Updated the explanation of the types of clearances for a STAR.
• Changed paragraph “Interpreting the STAR” updating some of the terminology used for a STAR.