There's a lot to remember when you're flying IFR. Here are a few of the most important acronyms that will help you every time you fly...

CIA (Fundamentals Of Instrument Flight)

Instrument flying is based on these three steps:

• Cross Check
• Instrument Interpretation
• Aircraft Control

GRABCARD (IFR Minimum Equipment)

Here's some more equipment to add to your VFR TOMATO FLAMES and FLAPS lists:

• Generator or Alternator
• Radio/Navigation Appropriate For Flight
• Attitude Indicator
• Ball (Inclinometer)
• Clock
• Altimeter (Pressure Sensitive)
• Rate of Turn Indicator
• Directional Gyro

N-DRUMS (Mandatory Reports To ATC)

These are a few times you'll need to make mandatory reports to ATC... Check out the full list here.

• Non-Radar Reporting Points
• Deviations From Clearance
• Request For Report
• Unforecast Weather
• Malfunctions (Navigational, approach, or communication equipment occurring in flight)
• Safety Of Flight Risk

AVE-F (Lost Comms: Route Clearance)

Fly your route based on the the following order unless VMC conditions allow for a diversion under VFR:

• Assigned
• Vectored
• Expected
• Filed

MEA (Lost Comms: Altitude Clearance)

If you lose your radios and can't divert under VFR, SQUAWK 7600 and fly the highest altitude of:

• Minimum IFR Altitude (Often Charted)
• Expected Altitude
• Assigned Altitude

ICE FLAGGS (Illusions In Flight)

Disorientation is a lead killer of instrument pilots. Avoid these illusions by relying on your instruments!

• Inversion (Climb to straight and level = Tumbling backwards feeling)
• Coriolis (Head movements in prolonged turns)
• Elevator (Updraft/Downdraft causes a pilot to pitch up or down)
• False Horizons (Sloping clouds, terrain, etc)
• Leans (Banking illusion that occurs by relying on physical sensations rather than instrumentation)
• Autokinesis (Stationary lights appear to move)
• Graveyard Spiral (Constant rate turn downwards)
• Graveyard Spin (Pilot recovers from spin but senses they are in a new spin, so re-enter that spin)
• Somatogravic (Caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration that results in a pitch up or down)

GAARF (Landing Illusions)

Shooting an approach to minimums aggravates these landing illusions, especially at night.

• Ground Lighting
• Atmospheric Illusions
• Runway Width
• Runway/Terrain Sloping
• Featureless Terrain

CRAFT (Clearances)

Use this acronym to help read back IFR clearances:

• Clearance Limit
• Route
• Altitudes
• Frequencies
• Transponder Setting

Know another good IFR acronym? Tell us in the comments below!