Definition
The FAA publication number for the Instrument Procedures Handbook, an FAA reference that explains instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures, including departure, en route, arrival, and approach operations, and how to use instrument charts and approach plates.
Plain English
It's the FAA's official handbook for flying by instruments. The number is just the way the FAA labels the book, like a catalog code.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks and training material when a topic needs more detail from the Instrument Procedures Handbook.
Derivation
FAA stands for Federal Aviation Administration. The 'H' in FAA-H-8083-16 indicates it is a Handbook, and 8083-16 is the FAA's internal numbering for that specific title. Knowing the 'H' means Handbook makes the code easier to recognize when you see similar references like FAA-H-8083-25 (the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge).
Why Pilots Care
When another FAA document points you to FAA-H-8083-16 for more detail, you should know it is the Instrument Procedures Handbook so you can find it and use it.
Analogy
It works like a catalog number on a book. The code is not the subject itself; it points you to the exact FAA book that covers the subject.
Intuition Check
Do not read FAA-H-8083-16 as a regulation or operating rule by itself. It is a handbook publication number that points to FAA guidance and training material.
Example Sentence 1
For a deeper explanation of approach categories, the handbook refers the reader to FAA-H-8083-16.
Example Sentence 2
Transport category aircraft performance calculations sometimes reference FAA-H-8083-16 for instrument approach climb gradients.