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FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII) study guide

FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII), administered by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is mapped here as 8 topic areas; the heaviest are Instructor Overlay: Currency, IPC, Logging, Privileges (20%), Approaches, Plates, Holding (18%) and Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms (14%).

About this course: You already passed this material once. Here is exactly what evaporated since your instrument written, plus the instructor overlay nobody else drills - currency vs the IPC cliff, logging actual, what you sign students for. No FOI retake for an existing CFI (61.191(b)), no endorsement needed to sit the FII, no 17-hour re-teach course. A weekend re-load, not a rebuild.

FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII) at a glance

Questions
50
Time allowed
2.5 hours
Passing standard
70 (= at least 35 of 50 correct)
Format
Computer-delivered multiple-choice test: FII has 50 scored questions, 2.5 hours and a 70% passing score
Standard / edition
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, revised September 25, 2026
Administered by
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Source: FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix, revised September 25, 2026, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Confirm current details with the exam owner before you book.

Topic areas and weights

Topic areaWeightConceptsGuide
Exam Meta & Test-Day Mechanics8%4Topic page
Routing12%7Topic page
Instructor Overlay: Currency, IPC, Logging, Privileges20%10Topic page
Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms14%5Section below
Approaches, Plates, Holding18%6Section below
En-Route + VOR9%3Section below
Weather for IFR Decisions10%3Section below
Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching9%3Section below

Topic guides at a glance

Exam Meta & Test-Day Mechanics

8% of the course blueprint, 4 concepts. Emphasized: FII knowledge-test format and authorization, Knowledge-test validity before the practical test and The CFII checkride runs on a PTS, not an ACS:. Watch for: you need an endorsement to sit the FII (no endorsement required at all).

Routing

12% of the course blueprint, 7 concepts. Emphasized: FII and IRA test authorization requirements, Additional instructor ratings and FOI under 14 CFR 61.191(b) and Distinguishing the FII and FIG test codes. Watch for: I need the FOI again for the CFII (not if you're already a CFI — 61.191(b)).

Instructor Overlay: Currency, IPC, Logging, Privileges

20% of the course blueprint, 10 concepts. Emphasized: Instrument currency under 14 CFR 61.57(c)(1), Restoring lapsed instrument currency under 14 CFR 61.57(d) and Who may give an IPC (61.57(d)(3)):. Watch for: a CFII logs instrument time whenever the student is under the hood (only in ACTUAL — 61.51(g)(2)).

Study plan in this course

  1. Exam Meta & Test-Day Mechanics — 5 cards · free
  2. Routing — Which Written(s) Do I Need? — 10 cards · free
  3. Instructor Overlay: Currency, IPC, Logging, Privileges — 11 cards · full course
  4. Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms — 8 cards · full course
  5. Approaches, Plates, Holding — 9 cards · full course
  6. En-Route + VOR — 4 cards · full course
  7. Weather for IFR Decisions — 5 cards · full course
  8. Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching — 5 cards · full course

Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms

Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms carries 14% of the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII) blueprint used in this course, the third-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 5 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms.

What Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms covers

  • Alternate REQUIRED unless 91.169(b) 1-2-3: — 14 CFR 91.169(a)-(b) verbatim
  • IFR fuel (91.167): — 14 CFR 91.167(a) verbatim
  • Lost comms ROUTE (91.185(c)(1)) — AVE-F: — 14 CFR 91.185(c)(1) verbatim
  • Lost comms clearance limit (91.185(c)(3)): — 14 CFR 91.185(c)(3) verbatim
  • VFR-conditions override (91.185(b)): — 14 CFR 91.185(b)

Common mistakes in Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms

  • 1-2-3 measures at ETA only (it's plus/minus 1 hour around ETA)
  • alternate minima apply on arrival AT the alternate (they're PLANNING minima at ETA; on arrival you fly the published approach minima)
  • 45-min reserve at holding speed (normal cruising speed)
  • lost comms = squawk and land immediately (fly AVE-F/highest-of-3 unless VFR appears)

Key terms for Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms

1-2-3 rule · standard alternate minima · AVE-F · clearance limit

Official references for Alternates, Fuel, Lost Comms

  • 14 CFR 91.169(a)-(b) verbatim
  • 14 CFR 91.169(c) verbatim
  • 14 CFR 91.167(a) verbatim
  • 14 CFR 91.185(c)(1) verbatim
  • 14 CFR 91.185(c)(2) verbatim
  • 14 CFR 91.185(c)(3) verbatim
  • 14 CFR 91.185(b)
  • AIM 1-1-18 + TPP legend

In the app this area comes with 8 memory cards and 8 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Approaches, Plates, Holding

Approaches, Plates, Holding carries 18% of the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII) blueprint used in this course, the second-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 6 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Approaches, Plates, Holding.

What Approaches, Plates, Holding covers

  • DA vs MDA: — FAA-H-8083-16B Instrument Procedures Handbook, approach chapters + 91.175(c)
  • 91.175(c): — 14 CFR 91.175(c) verbatim (eCFR)
  • Holding entries (AIM 5-3-8 recommended): — AIM 5-3-8
  • Holding speeds (AIM TBL 5-3-24): — AIM 5-3-8 holding table (TBL 5-3-24)
  • Plate anatomy the test mines: — FAA-H-8083-16B + TPP legend
  • Procedure turns: — AIM 5-4-9

Common mistakes in Approaches, Plates, Holding

  • LPV = precision (it's APV)
  • LNAV+V has its own minima (advisory only)
  • MDA works like DA (level floor vs decision point)
  • holding entry is chosen by whatever feels closest (sector geometry decides)
  • any approach-light sighting allows descent to the runway (100-ft-above-TDZE limit without the red bars)

Key terms for Approaches, Plates, Holding

DA · MDA · LPV · LNAV/VNAV · LNAV+V · FAF · MSA · circling minima · RAIM

Official references for Approaches, Plates, Holding

  • FAA-H-8083-16B Instrument Procedures Handbook, approach chapters + 91.175(c)
  • AIM 1-1-18 + IPH RNAV chapter
  • 14 CFR 91.175(c) verbatim (eCFR)
  • AIM 5-3-8
  • AIM 5-3-8 holding table (TBL 5-3-24)
  • FAA-H-8083-16B + TPP legend
  • AIM 5-4-9
  • IPH circling section + AIM 5-4-20
  • AIM 1-1-17/1-1-18

In the app this area comes with 9 memory cards and 9 module-quiz questions in the full course.

En-Route + VOR

En-Route + VOR carries 9% of the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII) blueprint used in this course, the 6th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 3 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: En-Route + VOR.

What En-Route + VOR covers

  • VOR check for IFR (91.171): — 14 CFR 91.171 verbatim (eCFR)
  • DME arcs: — FAA-H-8083-15B arc procedures
  • Compass errors the instructor must TEACH: — FAA-H-8083-15B flight instruments chapter

Common mistakes in En-Route + VOR

  • VOR check valid 30 FLIGHT days (calendar days)
  • dual-check tolerance is 6 degrees (it's 4)
  • MOCA has full nav coverage (22 NM only)
  • OROCA is regulatory (planning aid)

Key terms for En-Route + VOR

MEA · MOCA · MCA · MRA · OROCA · DME arc

How En-Route + VOR connects to other areas

Official references for En-Route + VOR

  • 14 CFR 91.171 verbatim (eCFR)
  • 14 CFR 91.177 + Pilot/Controller Glossary + chart legend
  • FAA-H-8083-15B arc procedures
  • FAA-H-8083-15B flight instruments chapter

In the app this area comes with 4 memory cards and 4 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Weather for IFR Decisions

Weather for IFR Decisions carries 10% of the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII) blueprint used in this course, the 5th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 3 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Weather for IFR Decisions.

What Weather for IFR Decisions covers

  • Freezing rain aloft implies warmer air ABOVE (melting layer) — classic stem. — FAA-H-8083-25C weather chapter
  • Products: — AIM 7-1-6 + AWC product pages
  • Fog types the bank loves: — FAA-H-8083-25C

Common mistakes in Weather for IFR Decisions

  • rime forms in freezing rain (that's clear ice)
  • AIRMET Zulu = turbulence (icing)
  • ATC vectors keep you clear of embedded cells (pilot's responsibility)

Key terms for Weather for IFR Decisions

AIRMET · SIGMET · Convective SIGMET · structural icing · advection fog

Official references for Weather for IFR Decisions

  • FAA-H-8083-25C weather chapter
  • AIM 7-1-6 + AWC product pages
  • FAA-H-8083-25C
  • FAA-H-8083-15B / AC 91-74B icing
  • AIM 7-1-27 thunderstorm flying

In the app this area comes with 5 memory cards and 5 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching

Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching carries 9% of the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument, Airplane written (test code FII) blueprint used in this course, the 7th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 3 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching.

What Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching covers

  • Required IFR equipment (91.205(d)) — GRABCARD: — 14 CFR 91.205(d) verbatim (eCFR)
  • Pitot-static failure patterns: — FAA-H-8083-15B flight instruments
  • Scan-error triad the instructor diagnoses: — FAA-H-8083-15B + FAA-H-8083-9C

Common mistakes in Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching

  • primary pitch in straight-and-level is the attitude indicator (it's the ALTIMETER under primary-supporting)
  • blocked pitot affects the altimeter (pitot feeds only the ASI)
  • partial panel loses the turn coordinator (electric TC survives vacuum failure)

Key terms for Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching

GRABCARD · pitot-static system · vacuum system · control-performance method · primary-supporting method

How Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching connects to other areas

Official references for Instruments, Partial Panel, Scan Teaching

  • 14 CFR 91.205(d) verbatim (eCFR)
  • FAA-H-8083-15B flight instruments
  • FAA-H-8083-15B
  • FAA-H-8083-15B attitude-instrument-flying chapter
  • FAA-H-8083-15B + FAA-H-8083-9C

In the app this area comes with 5 memory cards and 5 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Official references

  • FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix rev September 25, 2026 p.11
  • 14 CFR 61.183(a)-(c) (eCFR)
  • 14 CFR 61.39(a)(1)(i)-(ii) (eCFR, current through 2026-07-06)
  • 14 CFR 61.49 (eCFR) + Testing Matrix retest blocks
  • FAA Airman Testing Community Advisory, June 2026 edition (faa.gov/training_testing/testing/June_2026_Edition.pdf)
  • FAA CY2025 AKT Volume Report + CY2024 + 2023 annual statistics
  • faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/cfi_instrument_pts_9.pdf (FAA-S-8081-9E) + FR 2024-06644 IBR rule + June-2026 ATCA + ACS listing
  • FAA AKT Matrix rev September 25, 2026 p.11
  • matrix p.11 authorization block
  • 14 CFR 61.191(b), eCFR current 2026-07-06
  • 14 CFR 61.183(e) + matrix p.10 FOI authorization block
  • faa.gov cfi_instrument_pts_9.pdf (FAA-S-8081-9E) + FR 2024-06644 IBR rule
  • FAA CY2025 AKT Volume Report
  • 14 CFR 61.57(c)(1) verbatim (eCFR)
  • 14 CFR 61.57(c)(2)
  • 14 CFR 61.57(d)(1)

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