14 CFR 91.205 — Powered Civil Aircraft with Standard Category Airworthiness Certificates: Instrument and Equipment Requirements
Lists required instruments and equipment for VFR day, VFR night, and IFR flight. Memorized via ATOMATOFLAMES, FLAPS, and GRABCARD.
Regulation Text
For VFR day flight: airspeed indicator, tachometer (for each engine), oil pressure gauge (for each engine), manifold pressure gauge (for each altitude engine), altimeter, temperature gauge (for each liquid-cooled engine), oil temperature gauge (for each air-cooled engine), fuel gauge, landing gear position indicator (if retractable), anti-collision lights (for aircraft certificated after March 11, 1996), magnetic direction indicator, ELT, safety belts. For VFR night (add): fuses (or circuit breakers), landing light (if for hire), anti-collision lights, position lights, source of electrical energy. For IFR (add): generator/alternator, radios (suitable for the route), altimeter (sensitive/adjustable), ball (slip-skid indicator), clock (with sweep second hand or digital equivalent), attitude indicator, rate of turn indicator, directional gyro.
Note: This is an excerpt. Refer to the full regulation in eCFR for the complete text.
Plain-English Explanation
Different flight conditions require different instruments. For VFR day, you need the basics (memorize: A TOMATO FLAMES = Airspeed, Tachometer, Oil pressure, Manifold pressure, Altimeter, Temperature, Oil temp, Fuel gauge, Landing gear indicator, Anti-collision light, Magnetic compass, ELT, Seatbelts). For VFR night, add FLAPS (Fuses, Landing light if for hire, Anti-collision lights, Position lights, Source of power). For IFR, add GRABCARD (Generator, Radios, sensitive Altimeter, Ball, Clock, Attitude indicator, Rate of turn, Directional gyro). This is one of the most heavily tested regulations on all FAA exams.
Tested On These Exams
Related Regulations
14 CFR 91.203 — Civil Aircraft: Certifications Required
Requires aircraft to have an airworthiness certificate, registration certificate, and operating limitations aboard.
§91.21314 CFR 91.213 — Inoperative Instruments and Equipment
Defines when an aircraft with inoperative instruments or equipment may still be operated, using either an MEL or the regulatory determination process.
§91.20714 CFR 91.207 — Emergency Locator Transmitters
Requires ELTs on most aircraft, with exceptions for training flights within 50 nm of the departure airport and other specific operations.
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