Professional Instrument Flight Rules certification services for pilots who demand precision and reliability in challenging conditions
When you’re flying through clouds, navigating by instruments alone, or operating in Class A airspace, your aircraft’s certification isn’t just about compliance—it’s about safety. At The Certman, we understand that your instrument rating is only as good as the certifications behind it.
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) certification is the regulatory approval process that ensures your aircraft’s navigation, communication, and flight instruments meet Federal Aviation Administration standards for operation in instrument meteorological conditions. Unlike visual flight, where pilots rely on seeing the ground and horizon, IFR flight depends entirely on the accuracy and reliability of your aircraft’s instrumentation.
This certification process validates that critical systems—including your transponder, altitude encoder, and pitot-static system—are accurately calibrated and functioning within specified tolerances. Without current IFR certification, your aircraft cannot legally operate in controlled airspace under instrument flight rules, regardless of how sophisticated your avionics may be.
Transponder and altitude reporting equipment must be tested and inspected every 24 calendar months (FAR 91.413).
Pitot-static systems, altimeters, and automatic pressure altitude reporting systems used for IFR must be tested and inspected every 24 calendar months (FAR 91.411).
These certifications are not optional for IFR operations—they are legal requirements that directly impact your ability to file and fly under instrument flight rules.
Operating an aircraft with expired IFR certifications in controlled airspace or IMC conditions is a violation of Federal Aviation Regulations. Beyond the immediate legal risk, it can result in:
Certification testing does more than check boxes—it identifies system degradation before it becomes dangerous. Over time, pitot-static systems can develop leaks, transponders can drift from calibrated frequencies, and encoders can report inaccurate altitudes. These issues rarely announce themselves until you’re in IMC relying on those instruments for safe navigation.
Professional pilots understand that certification isn’t bureaucratic overhead—it’s preventive maintenance that protects lives.
Your transponder doesn’t just identify your aircraft to air traffic control—it reports your altitude for separation services and collision avoidance. When that altitude reporting is inaccurate, it compromises the entire system that keeps aircraft safely separated in busy airspace. Certification testing ensures your aircraft is reporting accurate data that controllers and TCAS systems can rely on.
The Certman provides comprehensive IFR certification services that meet or exceed all FAA requirements:
Unlike traditional shops that require you to ferry your aircraft and wait days for an appointment, The Certman brings professional certification equipment directly to your hangar. We serve pilots across Michigan and Northern Ohio with the same precision and thoroughness you’d expect from a fixed facility—just without the scheduling headaches and ferry flight costs.
Here’s what to expect when you schedule IFR certification with The Certman:
Contact us to schedule your mobile certification. We’ll coordinate a time that works with your flying schedule and location. Before the appointment, we recommend having your aircraft logbooks ready so we can verify your last certification dates and review any previous squawks or issues.
Both transponder/encoder and pitot-static certifications expire every 24 calendar months. This means if your last certification was performed in March 2023, it’s valid through March 31, 2025—regardless of when in March 2023 it was done. Many pilots schedule certifications in the same month every two years to simplify recordkeeping.
Yes, with limitations. You can fly under visual flight rules in VFR conditions even with expired IFR certifications. However, you cannot operate in Class A airspace (above 18,000 feet), file IFR flight plans, or fly in controlled airspace that requires Mode C transponder operations without current certifications.
If we identify issues during testing, we’ll explain exactly what’s wrong and what needs to happen before certification can be issued. Depending on the problem, we may be able to perform repairs on-site (with 10% off labor). For more complex issues, we’ll provide detailed documentation of the findings so you can make informed decisions about next steps.
For most single-engine aircraft with straightforward systems, the entire certification process typically takes 2-4 hours from start to finish. More complex aircraft with multiple systems or older equipment may take longer. We schedule sufficient time to do the job right without rushing critical safety checks.
If you only fly VFR and never plan to file IFR flight plans, you don’t technically need IFR certification. However, you still need transponder certification (FAR 91.413) if you operate in Mode C required airspace. Additionally, many pilots maintain IFR certification even if they rarely fly actual instrument conditions—it provides operational flexibility and can increase aircraft resale value.
We use professional-grade, FAA-approved test equipment that meets all regulatory standards for transponder and pitot-static testing. Our equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained to ensure accuracy. The same quality of testing you’d receive at a fixed avionics shop—just performed at your hangar.
Mobile service • Honest assessments • 35+ years of expertise • Michigan & Northern Ohio