IFR REQUIREMENTS: “DECKRAT”
(In addition to VFR Day and Night Requirements)
D Directional Gyro
E Electrical Source
C Clock (w/ seconds hand or digital clock)
K Kollsman-Sensitive Altimeter
R Radios for Facilities to be used (NAV/COM)
A Attitude Indicator
T Turn Coordinator w/ Ball (Skid/Slip Indicator)
(DME above 24,000’MSL)
IFR VOR CHECK
(Every 30 Days)
VOT ±4º
Dual VOR’s within 4º
Ground Designated Check Point ±4º
Airway Check ±6º
IFR VOR ENTRY MUST INCLUDE: “SPED”
S Signature
P Place
E Error
D Date
COMMERCIAL REQUIREMENTS:
(VFR Day Equipment plus:)
Night: Landing Light
Over Water: Flotation Gear for each Passenger

REQUIRED AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT
DOCUMENTS: “AROW”
A Airworthiness Certificate
R Registration (Plus Radio License outside US)
O Operating Limitations/Handbook
W Weight & Balance Data
AIRCRAFT INPSECTIONS: “AVIATE-A”
A Annual Inspection (12 months)
V VOR (30 days for IFR, annual for VFR)
I Inspection at 100 Hours off of Tach
A Altimeter/Pitot Static System (24 months)
T Transponder/Mode C (24 months)
E ELT (50% battery life/1 hr cum. use, annual)
A Airworthiness Directives (aka Recalls)
VFR DAY REQUIREMENTS: “A GOOSE A CAT”
A Anti-collisions Lights (Red or White) (+ Electrical Source)
G Gas Gauges
O Oil Temperature Gauge
O Oil Pressure Gauge
S Seatbelts
E Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
A Altimeter
C Compass (Magnetic)
A Airspeed Indicator
T Tachometer (RPM)
ALSO, FOR COMPLEX AIRCRAFT:
Landing Gear Indicator (for retractable)
Each Engine: Manifold Pressure Gauge
Each Engine: Temperature Gauge (if liquid-cooled)
VFR NIGHT REQUIREMENTS: “APES”
A Anti-collisions Lights (Red or White)
P Position Lights
E Electrical Source
S Spare Fuses (doesn’t apply if Circuit Breakers)