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FAA INSTRUMENT RATING KNOWLEDGE
EXAM (IRA) 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
**1. A pilot is flying under IFR in controlled airspace and loses
two-way radio communications. Which transponder code
should be selected?**
A. 7500
B. 7600
C. 7700
D. 1200
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** The lost communication transponder code is
**7600**. Code 7500 indicates hijacking, and 7700 indicates a
general emergency. Code 1200 is the VFR squawk.
**2. When flying under IFR, what is the required fuel reserve
when an alternate airport is not required?**
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A. 30 minutes at normal cruise speed
B. 45 minutes at normal cruise speed
C. 1 hour at normal cruise speed
D. 2 hours at normal cruise speed
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** FAR 91.167 requires enough fuel to fly to the
destination airport and land with **45 minutes of fuel
remaining** at normal cruise speed when no alternate is
required. With an alternate, the reserve is also 45 minutes after
the alternate.
**3. What is the required recent flight experience to act as PIC
under IFR?**
A. 3 instrument approaches and 3 holding patterns within the
preceding 3 months
B. 6 instrument approaches and intercepting/tracking courses
within the preceding 6 months
C. 5 instrument approaches and 1 holding pattern within the
preceding 12 months
D. 10 instrument approaches within the preceding 12 months
**Correct answer:** B
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**Rationale:** FAR 61.57(c) requires **6 instrument
approaches**, holding patterns, and intercepting/tracking
courses using navigation systems within the **preceding 6
months**. The approaches may be performed in actual or
simulated instrument conditions.
**4. An aircraft is flying from an area of high pressure to an area
of low pressure without changing its altimeter setting. What will
the altimeter most likely indicate?**
A. Higher than actual altitude
B. Lower than actual altitude
C. The correct altitude
D. Indeterminate altitude only during IMC
**Correct answer:** A
**Rationale:** When flying from high pressure to low pressure
without resetting the altimeter, the altimeter will indicate
**higher than actual altitude**. The practical rule is "high to low,
look out below." True altitude decreases relative to indicated
altitude.
FAA INSTRUMENT RATING KNOWLEDGE
EXAM (IRA) 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES
**1. A pilot is flying under IFR in controlled airspace and loses
two-way radio communications. Which transponder code
should be selected?**
A. 7500
B. 7600
C. 7700
D. 1200
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** The lost communication transponder code is
**7600**. Code 7500 indicates hijacking, and 7700 indicates a
general emergency. Code 1200 is the VFR squawk.
**2. When flying under IFR, what is the required fuel reserve
when an alternate airport is not required?**
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A. 30 minutes at normal cruise speed
B. 45 minutes at normal cruise speed
C. 1 hour at normal cruise speed
D. 2 hours at normal cruise speed
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** FAR 91.167 requires enough fuel to fly to the
destination airport and land with **45 minutes of fuel
remaining** at normal cruise speed when no alternate is
required. With an alternate, the reserve is also 45 minutes after
the alternate.
**3. What is the required recent flight experience to act as PIC
under IFR?**
A. 3 instrument approaches and 3 holding patterns within the
preceding 3 months
B. 6 instrument approaches and intercepting/tracking courses
within the preceding 6 months
C. 5 instrument approaches and 1 holding pattern within the
preceding 12 months
D. 10 instrument approaches within the preceding 12 months
**Correct answer:** B
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**Rationale:** FAR 61.57(c) requires **6 instrument
approaches**, holding patterns, and intercepting/tracking
courses using navigation systems within the **preceding 6
months**. The approaches may be performed in actual or
simulated instrument conditions.
**4. An aircraft is flying from an area of high pressure to an area
of low pressure without changing its altimeter setting. What will
the altimeter most likely indicate?**
A. Higher than actual altitude
B. Lower than actual altitude
C. The correct altitude
D. Indeterminate altitude only during IMC
**Correct answer:** A
**Rationale:** When flying from high pressure to low pressure
without resetting the altimeter, the altimeter will indicate
**higher than actual altitude**. The practical rule is "high to low,
look out below." True altitude decreases relative to indicated
altitude.
