Can You Use a Calculator on the IFR Test?

An interactive tool and guide to FAA regulations for written exams and practical checkrides.

One of the most common questions for student pilots preparing for their Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rating is about the tools they can bring to the test. Can you use a calculator on the IFR test? The answer is nuanced and depends entirely on which test you’re taking and what kind of device you have. This guide will clarify the rules for both the FAA IFR Knowledge Test (the written exam) and the Practical Test (the checkride).

IFR Test Device Eligibility Checker

Select the test you are taking and the device you want to use to see if it’s permitted.

What is the IFR Test?

When pilots ask “can you use a calculator on the IFR test,” they’re usually referring to one of two separate examinations required for an instrument rating. Understanding the difference is critical, as the rules for each are distinct.

• The IFR Written Knowledge Test: This is a multiple-choice exam administered at an FAA-approved testing center. It tests your theoretical knowledge on a wide range of instrument flying topics. The environment is strictly controlled.
• The IFR Practical Test (Checkride): This is a one-on-one test with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) that includes an oral questioning portion and an in-flight portion. It tests your practical application of IFR skills. The rules here are more flexible and often up to the examiner’s discretion.

IFR Written Test Formula: Permitted vs. Prohibited

For the written knowledge exam, the FAA has specific guidelines. The basic formula is that the device cannot store or retrieve user-loaded data. According to FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 60-11C, applicants can use “all models of aviation-oriented calculating devices that are directly related to the test.” However, devices with programmable memory or data storage are generally prohibited unless the memory can be demonstrably erased in front of the proctor.

Variables Table: Allowed and Disallowed Devices

Device Eligibility for IFR Written Knowledge Test

Device Type	Meaning	Permitted?	Typical Conditions
Basic Calculator	Simple, four-function (add, subtract, etc.)	Yes	Generally permitted without issue.
Manual E6B	“Whiz Wheel” slide rule computer	Yes	A fundamental tool, always allowed.
Electronic E6B	Digital flight computer (e.g., ASA CX-3)	Yes	Proctor must verify memory is cleared before the test.
Smartphone/Tablet	Personal devices with apps	No	Strictly prohibited due to data and communication capabilities.
Programmable Calculator	Calculators that can store formulas or data	No	Prohibited because they can store pre-written programs or information.

Practical Examples

Example 1: The Written Test

• Inputs: A pilot is taking the IFR Written Test. They want to bring their ASA CX-3 electronic E6B.
• Units: The device is a dedicated flight computer.
• Results: This is Permitted, but with a crucial step. The test proctor will require the pilot to demonstrate that all memory on the CX-3 has been erased before entering the testing room. Failure to do so will result in the device being denied.

Example 2: The Practical Test (Checkride)

• Inputs: A pilot is taking their IFR checkride with a DPE. They have planned their cross-country flight using ForeFlight on an iPad (an Electronic Flight Bag).
• Units: The device is a full-featured EFB.
• Results: This is Generally Permitted, but at the Examiner’s Discretion. Most DPEs today expect candidates to be proficient with modern tools like EFBs. However, the DPE has the final say and may ask the pilot to perform certain calculations using a more basic method (like a manual E6B) to test their fundamental knowledge. It is essential to ask the DPE beforehand what tools they expect you to use.

How to Use This IFR Test Device Calculator

Our checker simplifies the complex rules. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select Your Test: In the first dropdown, choose whether you are preparing for the “IFR Written Knowledge Test” or the “IFR Practical Test (Checkride).”
2. Select Your Device: In the second dropdown, pick the specific calculator or electronic device you plan to use.
3. Interpret the Results: The tool will instantly provide one of three outcomes:
   • Permitted: The device is allowed without major restrictions.
   • Permitted with Conditions: The device is allowed, but you must follow specific rules (like clearing the memory).
   • Not Permitted: The device is strictly forbidden for that specific test.

Key Factors That Affect Device Use on an IFR Test

1. Test Type (Written vs. Practical): The single most important factor. Written tests have rigid rules, while practical tests are more flexible.
2. Data Storage Capability: The FAA’s primary concern for written tests is preventing cheating. Any device that can store and retrieve information is heavily scrutinized.
3. Examiner Discretion (DPE): For the checkride, the DPE sets the rules. They can allow almost any tool but can also restrict you to basics to test your core skills.
4. Testing Center Policy: Some testing centers may have stricter policies than the FAA minimums and may simply provide their own basic calculators to avoid any ambiguity.
5. Internet/Bluetooth Connectivity: Any device capable of external communication is strictly forbidden in the written test environment.
6. Primary vs. Backup: On a checkride, using an EFB is fine, but knowing how to use a manual E6B or do mental math is a critical backup skill that an examiner may test.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use my iPhone or Android calculator on the IFR test?

No. For the written test, smartphones are strictly prohibited. For the practical test, while an EFB app on a tablet is common, using just a simple calculator app on a phone is unprofessional and will likely be disallowed by the examiner.

2. Is an electronic E6B like the Sporty’s E6B or ASA CX-3 allowed on the written test?

Yes, provided you can demonstrate to the proctor that the device’s memory has been cleared. It is your responsibility to know how to do this.

3. What if my programmable calculator’s memory is cleared?

Even if cleared, proctors may refuse a device if they cannot confidently determine its capabilities. The use of calculators with “permanent or continuous type memory circuits” is prohibited. It is safer to use a basic or approved aviation calculator.

4. For the checkride, should I plan my flight with ForeFlight or a manual E6B?

Do both. Plan it with ForeFlight as you would in the real world, but also have a paper nav log and be prepared to explain your calculations using a manual E6B or mental math. This shows the examiner you have a deep understanding and are not just reliant on the app.

5. Do testing centers provide calculators?

Yes, most testing centers will provide a basic four-function calculator and scratch paper. Some now even have a basic E6B-style calculator built into the testing software itself.

6. Why do I need to know how to use a manual E6B if I have an electronic one?

It’s about fundamentals and backup. Electronic devices can fail. An examiner needs to know you can still safely manage your flight and make critical calculations if your batteries die or your device malfunctions.

7. Can you use a calculator on the IFR test for things like calculating descent rates?

Yes, that is a primary function of a flight computer. On the written test, you’ll use it for time, speed, distance, fuel burn, and wind correction problems. On the checkride, you’ll be expected to do many of these calculations in your head as part of your scan, but can use tools for pre-flight planning.

8. Where are the official rules published?

The primary document for the written test is FAA Advisory Circular AC 60-11C, “Test Aids and Materials that may be used by Airman Knowledge Testing Applicants.”