Is an Outside Air Temperature (OAT) gauge required for an IFR flight?

An Outside Air Temperature (OAT) gauge is an important instrument for IFR flight operations, as it provides pilots with crucial information about the temperature outside the aircraft. This data is essential for multiple reasons, including accurate performance calculations, awareness of potential icing conditions, and maintaining safety during flight.

When flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), pilots must adhere to a set of regulations that governs the required instruments for safe operation. These regulations explicitly require certain instruments, including an OAT gauge, to ensure that pilots have access to necessary data. This gauge can help pilots make informed decisions regarding altitude changes, degrade performance assessments, and take proactive measures against icing, all of which enhance flight safety.

The necessity of the OAT gauge overall supports the integrity of IFR operations, which demand precise information for navigation and aircraft management in varying environmental conditions.