New standards were released by the FAA and are effective October 1, 2004, but available now. This allows schools, students, and instructors 6 months to either complete their training under the existing PTS (8081-4C) or transition their curriculum to follow this new document. The following major enhancements were made in this revision of the Instrument Rating PTS:

• Updated to reference current FAA publications.
• New abbreviations section.
• The “plan of action” is more thoroughly explained to include the reference to scenarios.
• Practical test requirements updated to reflect current rules.
• Now clarifies use of GPS for navigation and approaches, and the requirement for a GPS approach was added.
• Approach terminology updated to include Precision Approach (PA), Approach with Vertical Guidance (APV), and Nonprecision Approach (NPA); requirements for their use is clarified.
• Clarifies the requirement for the use of a view-limiting device.
• Discusses the need for testing in Single-Pilot Resource Management.
• Reference to the metric system is eliminated.
• Now includes PTS for electronic flight instrument displays, flight management systems, GPS, and autopilot usage (for airplanes so equipped).
• Testing basic instrument flight maneuvers is now integrated throughout the practical test, rather than treated as a separate task.