FAA Instrument Rating Oral Exam Prep
FAA Instrument Rating Oral Exam Prep
FAA Instrument Rating Oral Exam Prep
• A clearance provided by ATC at non- towered airports to permit take off IFR from the
airport. Failure to become airborne by this time results in an automatically void IFR
clearance. The pilot is to request for a new IFR clearance. The pilot has 30 mins from the
clearance void time to notify ATC of their intentions if not airborne else search and rescue
will initiate.
• Clearance void if not off by 14:00. Can’t take off after 14:00. You have 30 mins from then
to call and tell them not off the ground. Unless they tell you call us back 14:20. Means you
have only 20 mins to call back and say didn’t take off.
11. When do I have to file an alternate? (1-2-3 rule)
When you have less than 3 SM visibility or less than 2000ft ceiling 1 hour before or 1 hour after
the ETA, then an alternate airport is required
12. What are the standard alternate airport minimum requirements to use published approach
procedures?
• Precision Approach: 600ft/2SM vis
• Non-Precision Approach: 800ft/2SM vis
• To follow these standard requirements unless specific airport minima specified in the
approach plate
13. Can I assign a VFR airport (no Instrument Approach Procedures) as an alternate?
• Yes, if you are able to leave the enroute structure and descend to the airport in VMC.
14. What are the fuel requirements for an IFR flight?
• To Final Destination: Fuel to your final destination plus 45 minutes reserve at normal
cruising speed
• If Alternate airport is required: Fuel to your final destination plus to your alternate plus
45 minutes reserve at normal cruising speed
15. Can you as PIC of an IFR flight allow portable electronic devices to be used by passengers?
• During critical phases of flight (Take-off and landing) please request passengers to stow
portable electronic devices that transmit or receive RF signals.
16. What are the takeoff minimums for IFR flight?
• Part 91: Unrestricted – This is our category
• Part 135 & 121 : Use Obstacle departure procedure and interpret standard minimums
i. Dependent on number of engines
1. 1-2 Engines require 1 SM vis
2. 3+ Engines require ½ SM vis
3. Airline Ops Specs generally ¼ Mile
17. After filing an IFR flight plan, can you take off VFR, fly controlled airspace and radio for your IFR
clearance?
• Yes, you can request it in the air but you should do so and receive it before entering IMC.
As long as you stay VFR.
18. Define the following terms
• MEA- Minimum En-route Altitude- provides reception for NavAids and obstacle clearance
• MOCA- Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude- provides clearance from obstacles/terrain
plus 2000’ mountainous and 1000’ non-mountainous regions
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• Keep in mind when flying between cloud layers (not in cloud!) is not considered IFR – VFR
time- Spence’s comment
27. What are the conditions under which a pilot may conduct and log IAPs?
• Actual instrument flight conditions in an aircraft
• Simulated instrument flight conditions using a view limiting device flown in an aircraft
with a safety pilot.
i. Safety pilot is one with a minimum private pilot with the appropriate category
and class ratings required to operate that aircraft, valid appropriate medical to
act as flight crew member, and if flight required to be done on IFR flight plan, they
must have valid and current instrument rating
• Simulated instrument flight conditions conduced in any FAA approved flight simulator/
full flight simulator (FFS), flight training device (FTD), aviation training device (ATD) with
a CFII
• A combination of A) to C)
28. Explain VFR on top
• You want out of clouds due to turbulence- relief for yourself and/or passengers due to
discomfort or passenger motion sickness
• It’s still an IFR clearance so stay on your routing. But you can change altitudes- advisory
to notify ATC
• VFR cruising magnetic rules for altitude rules kick in! odd+500/even+500
• Clouds and Visibility Requirements
i. >10,000 ft. 5SM, 1 mile from clouds, 1000 ft. above or below
ii. <10,000 ft. 3SM 2000 ft. from clouds, 1000 ft. above, 500 ft. below
iii. Cannot exceed 18,000 ft. – CLASS A, IFR ONLY!
iv. Cannot descend below MEA
• Flying VFR on the top you have towering cumulus in front of you what should you do?
i. Request from ATC a deviation on route around it.
32. What is the difference between a straight in approach and a straight in landing?
• Straight in approach does not require PT
• Straight in Landing
i. if the centerline of runway and approach heading are within 30 degrees of each
other, then you can do a straight in landing (lower DH minimum)
ii. If you are greater than 30 degrees for the approach, then you must circle and
land. Higher DH (circling minimum)
iii. This could also mean you have a really fast step down- see name of approach
(VOR OLM-A) look for the letter (A,B,C) indication
33. When is a procedure turn not required?
• It is not required when you are cleared straight in approach
• Transition route says NO PT
• Holding pattern given instead of PT (holding in lieu of PT)
34. When can you descend below MDA or DH?
• Decision Height (DH) is for precision approach GPS(LPV) or ILS – 200 ft AAE; usually lower
than MDA
• Minimum Decision Altitude (MDA) is for non-precision approach (i.e. VOR)
1. Visibility on approach procedure – 600 (1/2)
2. Normal maneuvers
3. Runway environment in-sight -Other lights on runway- runway lights, end of runway
lights, wind sock, etc. Rabbit lighting you can see okay, then come down but 100’ + TDZE.
Not lower until other requirements can be met.
4. VDP- Visual Descent Point (V) on the approach plate
i. PAPI/VASI out of service then you can see VDP, stay above MDS/DH until you get
passed the VDP
35. How can you check the VOR Receiver accuracy?
• Chart supplements shows (T) when its only Terminal. H assumes also L & T. L assumes also
T.
Up to about 7000’, about that it extends but don’t worry about that.
AIRMETS vs SIGMETS
AIRMET: For Light A/C+ VFR identifying Light + Mod Icing and turbulence
SIGMET: For all aircrafts identifying significant weather conditions including sand storms, volcano
eruptions, etc.
Restrict it to anytime but critical phases of flight (take off and landing). High RF outputting devices cannot
use at anytime.
Standard lapse rate for icing- cruising 8000, OAT shows -4C, picking up ice. So go BELOW. 6000’
Pitot ice, induction icing (carb aircraft), rime ice, clear ice, mixed ice, restrictions
Grab Card
Airspeed (mph)
Vr Rotation Speed 65 mph (55 kts)
Vx Best Angle of Climb 74 mph (64 kts)
Vy Best Rate of Climb 85 mph (74 kts)
VFE Flaps extension speed 115 mph (100 kts) or look for white arc
VA maneuvering speed 129 mph @ max gross weight
Vno maximum structural cruising speed 137 mph (119 kt)
Vne never exceed speed 168 mph (146 kts)
VG Best Glide Speed 83 mph (72 kts)
Vs0 55 mph (47 kts)
Vs1 64 mph (55 kts)
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