Aviation glossary
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules — the pilot navigates by radio-navigation instruments independently of outside visibility.
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) is a flight regime in which the pilot navigates primarily by instruments and follows ATC instructions. A helicopter may fly IFR only when properly equipped and certified and flown by pilots with a valid instrument rating IR(H). Most light helicopters such as the Cabri G2 or Robinson R22/R44 are VFR-only — they are not certified for IFR.
Related terms
- VFRVisual Flight Rules — the pilot navigates by outside visual reference and must meet VMC minima.
- IMCInstrument Meteorological Conditions — weather that does not meet VMC. Flight is only possible under IFR with the appropriate rating.
- VMCVisual Meteorological Conditions — the visibility and cloud-clearance minima that must be met for a VFR flight.