If you are an instrument-rated pilot who wants to refresh on important acronyms or a student pilot who wants to impress your instructor, you've come to the right place.
GRABCARD (IFR Minimum Equipment)
I'm sure you're familiar with the VFR day checklist TOMATO FLAMES and VFR night checklist FLAPS. See Acronyms for the Private Pilot. For IFR flying, add GRABCARD to the list.
Generator or Alternator
Radio/Navigation Appropriate For Flight
Attitude Indicator
Ball (Inclinometer)
Clock
Altimeter (Pressure Sensitive)
Rate of Turn Indicator
Directional Gyro
CRAFT (Clearances)
Use CRAFT to help you prepare for ATC communication and correctly read back IFR clearances. In fact, you can write CRAFT on your kneeboard and fill in the appropriate information as ATC states your clearance.
Clearance Limit
Route
Altitudes
Frequencies
Transponder Setting
Missed Approach Cs
As you reach your approach minimums and decide to go missed, complete the following go-around checklist.
Climb
Clean
Click
Call/Communicate
VDMONA (Compass Errors)
Variation (True vs Magnetic)
Deviation (magnetic interference)
Magnetic dip (pulls toward Earth)
Oscillation (turbulence)
Northerly turning errors (UNOS)
Acceleration errors (ANDS)
ANDS (Acceleration Errors)
Accelerate = North
Decelerate = South
UNOS (Turning Errors)
Undershoot North
Overshoot South
AVE-F (Lost Comms: Route Clearance)
In the unlikely event that you lose your comms enroute, you should squawk 7600 and then continue your route based on this order.
Assigned
Vectored
Expected
Filed
MEA (Lost Comms: Altitude Clearance)
If you lose your comms enroute, you should squawk 7600 and then fly the highest altitude of the following options.
Minimum IFR Altitude (Often Charted)
Expected Altitude
Assigned Altitude
5 Cs Lost Procedures
In the unlikely event that you lose your comms enroute, you should squawk 7600 and then continue your route based on this order.
Climb
Call/Communicate
Confess
Comply
Conserve
ICE FLAGGS (Illusions In-Flight)
Be aware of possible disorienting experiences so that you'll be prepared. Note that the best way to overcome spatial disorientation is to scan your instruments and interpret them correctly.
Inversion (Climb to straight and level = Tumbling backward 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)
Check out resources you'll need as an instrument-rated pilot!
Instrument Pilot Oral Exam Guide - The comprehensive guide to prepare you for the FAA checkride
FAR AIM 2021 - Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual
BFR - By far the most concise well organized VFR flight review book on the market.