Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your IFR Certification!

For an IFR flight plan that involves multiple legs at different altitudes, the appropriate altitude to enter for the cruising level is the altitude for the first leg. This is because in IFR flight planning, the filed altitude reflects the initial cruising level at which the aircraft will operate for the first segment of the journey.

In the context of IFR, the routing and the filed altitude are determined based on the first part of the trip, and as the flight progresses, changes to the altitude can be made as necessary based on ATC clearances, airspace requirements, or changes in flight conditions. This approach ensures that the flight plan is coherent and adheres to the expected flight structure from the outset.

It's important to note that changes for the second and third legs will be communicated to air traffic control during the flight, and those altitudes must be adjusted as the flight continues. Hence, the altitude for the first leg serves as the reference point for the initial filed plan.