Required Equipment for IFR — 14 CFR § 91.205(d)
The legal minimum equipment list for IFR flight, encoded in GRABCARD. Plus required inspections (91.411 pitot-static, 91.413 transponder), VOR check requirements (30 days), and how to handle inoperative equipment under MEL or 91.213. Memorize GRABCARD — it appears on every IFR knowledge test.
GRABCARD — § 91.205(d)
- Generator / alternator (powered)
- Radios appropriate to ground facilities to be used
- Attitude indicator
- Ball (inclinometer)
- Clock with seconds display
- Altimeter (sensitive)
- Rate-of-turn indicator
- Directional gyro / heading indicator
Plus everything required for VFR per § 91.205(b) — ATOMATOFLAMES (Airspeed, Tachometer, Oil pressure, Manifold pressure, Altimeter, Temperature, Oil temperature, Fuel gauge, Landing gear, Anti-collision lights, Magnetic compass, ELT, Seat belts).
Inspections
- § 91.411 — Pitot-static system and altimeter — must be inspected and tested every 24 calendar months. Logbook entry required.
- § 91.413 — Transponder — must be inspected and tested every 24 calendar months. Logbook entry required.
- § 91.171 — VOR check — every 30 days for VOR-based IFR ops. Multiple acceptable methods (VODGA / PEDS — see approaches).
- § 91.207 — ELT — every 12 calendar months (annual inspection scope), plus battery replacement after one hour of cumulative use or when 50% of useful life has expired.
Pitot-static and transponder inspections are typically done together at the same shop visit since both touch the same airframe systems. Expect roughly $200-500 for the pair on a light helicopter.
VOR check — the 30-day rule
For VOR-equipped aircraft used for IFR, a VOR equipment check must be performed within the preceding 30 days. Acceptable methods (mnemonic: VODGA):
- VOR test facility (VOT) — ±4° tolerance.
- Operation certificated repair station — ±4° tolerance.
- Designated airborne checkpoint — ±6° tolerance.
- Ground checkpoint — ±4° tolerance.
- Aircraft over a known landmark — ±6° tolerance (last resort).
Additionally PEDS for dual VOR check: Place, Error (within 4°), Date, Signature in the logbook.
Modern WAAS-equipped aircraft using GPS for primary IFR don't need the 30-day VOR check unless they intend to use VORs for the flight in question.
Inoperative equipment — § 91.213
If something on the GRABCARD list is inoperative, can you fly?
- With an MEL (Minimum Equipment List) — your aircraft has an FAA-approved MEL specifying which items can be inoperative for which operations. Follow the MEL.
- Without an MEL — the inoperative item must be: (1) not required by 91.205, and (2) not required by the type certificate or POH equipment list, and (3) deactivated and placarded "INOPERATIVE." Otherwise the aircraft is unairworthy.
For IFR specifically: any GRABCARD item missing means no IFR flight without a special-flight permit or MEL relief. The legal answer is almost always "no IFR today" if a GRABCARD item is failed.
ADS-B Out — § 91.225
Not in GRABCARD, but operationally required for most US airspace IFR operations:
- Required in Class A, B, and C airspace.
- Required at or above 10,000 ft MSL (with limited exclusions).
- Required within 30 NM of Class B primary airports (Mode C veil).
- For full requirements, see GPS & Modern Nav.
If your aircraft isn't ADS-B Out equipped, you can't enter the airspace where it's required. For most IFR operations in the US National Airspace System, that means no-go.