Instrument Rating Stage Check

What are the recency-of-experience requirements to be PIC of a flight under IFR?

- "6 HITS" - Within 6 cal. months preceding the month of flight: ▷ 6 instrument approaches ▷ Holding procedures & tasks ▷ Intercepting & Tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems ▷ The above can be completed in a FFS, ATD, or FTD provided the device represents the category of aircraft for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained and the pilot performs the tasks and iterations in simulated instrument conditions. A flight instructor is not needed

What gyroscopic instruments are there?

-Heading indicator -Attitude indicator -Turn and Slip coordinator.

What are some limitations of the VSI?

-The vertical speed indicator inherently lags, but is more sensitive than an altimeter -This can result in a 6-9 second lag to stabilize which will inhibit accurate readings during turbulence or abrupt control movements -Alternate sources of static, when selected, will typically show a momentary climb. This is due to pressure differences in the cockpit than outside -A blocked static port will give a zero indication

When is a procedure turn not required?

1) When the symbol "No PT" is depicted on the initial segment being used. 2) When receiving radar vectors to the final approach course. 3) When conducting a timed approach from a holding fix.

When can you land? (91.175)

1) You must always be able to make a descent to landing on the intended runway using normal maneuvers and a normal descent rate, 2)The flight visibility (that you observe) must meet or exceed the minimums published for the approach, and 3)You must be able to distinctly identify one of the approved visual references for the runway (often called the "runway environment")

What is the difference between precision and non-precision approaches?

A precision approach is an instrument approach and landing using precision lateral and vertical guidance with minima as determined by the category of operation. A non-precision standard instrument approach procedure only provides horizontal guidance.

How does an altimeter work?

A simple barometric altimeter includes a sealed metal chamber, a spring, and a pointer that shows altitude in meters or feet. The chamber expands as air pressure decreases and contracts as it increases, bending the spring and moving the pointer

What is the significance of a blank triangle with a white "A" signify on the notes section of an approach chart? Or a "T"?

A- Non-standard IFR alternate minimums T- Airport has IFR takeoff min and/or departure procedures

Can you use a different category? When?

AIM 5-4-7 (b), if it becomes necessary to fly faster than the aircraft's published category, the minimums for the higher category must be used. Example 1: (Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Category A): If you fly the final approach segment at 95 knots (indicated), you must use Category B minimums.

What documents need to be on board an aircraft to make it legal for flight?

ARROW Airworthiness Registration Radio License Operating Handbook (POH) Weight and Balance

What are the required tests and inspections of aircraft and equipment to be legal for IFR flight?

AV1ATE Annual inspection every 12 calendar months VOR every 30 days 100 hour if for hire Altimeter, automatic altitude reporting system, and static system- every 24 calendar months Transponder 24 calendar months ELT- 12 months, or half battery life, or if used for one cumulative hour

What is ANDS? UNOS?

Accelerate North Decelerate South Undershoot North Overshoot South

What conditions are necessary to log "actual" instrument flight time?

Actually in the clouds

What is ADM? Give an example of an ADM model that you have adopted?

Aeronautical Decision Making- IMSAFE

What is ADC?

Air Data Computer - computerizes information from pitot/static system (airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, OAT) - mounted behind the instrument panel

What additional aircraft documentation should be onboard an aircraft equipped with an IFR-approved GPS?

Airplane flight manual supplement and cockpit reference guide

What are AD's and where can you find if they have been complied with?

Airworthiness Directives, regulatory in nature, you can see if they are complied with in the maintence logs

How does the vacuum system operate?

An engine driven vacuum pump creates suction. Air is pulled through a filter and then directed to the instrument case. Rotor vanes on the gyros catch the air like a water wheel and cause it to rotate at a high speed.

What display information will be affected when an AHRS failure occurs?

An inoperative attitude indicator, shown with a red X on the PFD, indicates failure of the AHRS.

What is an inclinometer?

An instrument consisting of a curved glass tube, housing a glass ball, and damped with a fluid similar to kerosene

What instruments use the vacuum system

Attitude Indicator and Heading Indicator

What is AHRS?

Attitude and Heading Reference System - uses accelerometers, tilt sensors, and rate sensors - provides airplane attitude, pitch, rate-of-turn, and slip/skid - magnetometer (GRS) works with the AHRS to provide heading information

What are the limitations to the attitude indicator? The heading indicator?

Attitude: - Uses pendulous vanes to correct for banking errors. - Can tumble if 100-110° of bank or 60-70° of pitch is exceeded. - May be caged preventing tumbling, especially during acrobatics. - Accelerations may cause a slight pitch up indication. Heading: 1) Tumble: - Indicator may tumble if limits are exceeded. This means the gyro has been distributed so much to the point that it needs to find its axis again. (Aerobatics) 2) Precession: - Because the earth rotates (15° per hour) and because of small accumulated errors caused by friction, the HI will drift over time and must be reset from the magnetic compass periodically - Normal procedure is to reset the heading indicator once each fifteen minutes of flight. Must be done from straight and level, unaccelerated flight in order to be sure the magnetic compass heading displayed is accurate

How does the vertical speed indicator work?

Changing pressures expand or contract a diaphragm connected to the indicating needle through gears and levers. The VSI is connected to the static pressure line through a calibrated leak; it measures differential pressure

What is the difference between DA and DH?

Decision Altitude (DA) is referenced to mean sea level and Decision Height (DH) is referenced to the threshold elevation

How does the airspeed indicator work?

Difference Between Ram Air Pressure and Static Air Pressure

What indications should you expect if you use alternate air?

Due to the venturi effect of the air flowing around the fuselage, the air pressure inside the flight deck is lower than the exterior pressure. The altimeter indicates a slightly higher altitude than actual. The ASI indicates an airspeed greater than the actual airspeed. The VSI shows a momentary climb and then stabilizes if the altitude is held constant.

What is EFIS?

Electronic flight instrument system (glass cockpit)

When flying an IAP, when can you descend below MDA, DA/DH? (91.175)

FAR 91.175 also says that you can't descend below 100 feet above the runway's touchdown zone elevation unless you can see either the red side row of lighted bars or the last row of red lights before the runway.

What are the aircraft approach categories based on? (i.e. A,B,C) (AIM 5-4-7)

FAR 97.3, an aircraft's approach category is based on a published speed called Vref It's the approximate speed for flying a stabilized final approach. When Vref is not specified for an airplane (which is the case for most light aircraft), Vref equals 1.3 X Vso, or the stalling speed of the aircraft in a landing configuration.

What does a Maltese Cross represent?

Final approach fix

What is FMS?

Flight Management System it is a smart computer that help manage all the task on board and manage systems as well

What is HAT? HAA?

Height Above Touchdown Height Above Airport This is published in conjunction with circling minimums

Which instruments are connected to the pitot tube? The static port?

How does an altimeter work?

What is the maximum allowable error for an altimeter when used for IFR flight? Is this recommended or mandated?

If on the ground an altimeter reads 75 ft higher than the airport elevation, it will be legal for flying.

What is the difference between being current and being proficient?

If your current you are legal, proficient means your safe and knowledgeable

Types of altitude

Indicated altitude: altitude actually displayed on the indicator True altitude: height of the aircraft above sea level (MSL) Absolute altitude: height above ground level (AGL) Pressure altitude: pre-calibrated altitude with a standard atmosphere setting of 29.92 inches of Hg.. Density altitude: is pressure altitude modified for a nonstandard temperature

What does IAF stand for?

Initial Approach Fix- The fixes depicted on instrument approach procedure charts that identify the beginning of the initial approach segment(s).

What are the different sections of an approach plate called? (4)

Initial, Intermediate, final, and missed approach

What display information will be affected when an ADC failure occurs?

Inoperative airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed indicators, shown with red Xs on the PFD, indicate the failure of the air data computer

Where is the magnetic compass most accurate?

It's most accurate in reflecting north and south bearings at the equator, where magnetic field lines are parallel to the Earth and horizontal.

A vacuum failure affects which instruments? How would you notice the failure

Loss of vacuum will result in a gradual run down of the air-driven gyros and the loss of attitude and navigation instruments, such as the artificial horizon, turn and bank, and directional gyros. This may lead to loss of control during instrument flight

Not current looking back 6 months? How would you regain your currency?

You can still log the required "6 HITS" with a safety pilot (under simulated conditions), examiner or instructor.

What is the difference between MDA and MDH?

MDA is referenced to mean sea level and MDH is referenced to the aerodrome elevation or to the threshold elevation if that is more than 2 m (7 ft) below the aerodrome elevation. An MDH for a circling approach is referenced to the aerodrome elevation.

What is the function of the magnetometer? What happens if it fails?

Magnetometers used in aviation measure the Earth's magnetic field in order to show orientation. If Fails: stabilized head- ing data is lost, which means the HSI compass card becomes a simple CDI and the bearing pointers also fail. Substitutes are the GPS and wet compass. - There are of two types: Absolute and Relative (classed by their methods of calibration). 1) Absolute magnetometers are calibrated using their own known internal constants. 2) Relative magnetometers must be calibrated by reference to a known, accurately measured magnetic field. Usually, a World Magnetic Model (WMM) is loaded onto it.

What does MALSR stand for?

Medium Intensity Approach Light System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights

What does MSA mean?

Minimum Safe Altitude

What does MSA guarantee?

Minimum Safe/Sector Altitude's proved 1,000 feet of clearance over all obstructions within, usually, 25 miles of the Fix/NAVAID

Where does the missed approach segment begin?

Missed approach segment - this segment starts at the MAPt. It is designed to provide protection from obstacles throughout the Missed Approach maneuver. It specifies a point where the missed approach begins, and a point or an altitude/height where it ends.

What are TAA's and where are they located?

Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) The TAA provides a transition from the en route structure to the terminal environment with little required pilot/air traffic control interface for aircraft equipped with Area Navigation (RNAV) systems.

Define MFD. What info does it provide?

Multi-Function Display- navigation route, moving map, weather radar, NEXRAD, ground proximity warning system, traffic collision avoidance system, and airport information

What information must a PIC be familiar with before an IFR flight? (91.103)

NWKRAFT NOTAMS Weather Known ATC Delays Runway Lengths Alternatives Fuel Requirements Takeoff/ Landing Dist.

What are the different classes of VOR stations?

Terminal, Low, and High

When can you descend from the enroute altitude

Once you are established on your published leg, you can descend to the at or above altitude published for the route. If the altitude has a line above and below it, you must be exactly at the published altitude. If that is the case, you will be verbally stepped down to the altitude by ATC

What instruments are affected when the pitot tube, ram air inlet, and drain hole freeze? What are the instrument errors?

Only the airspeed indicator will be affected. With only the pressure changing inside the case from the static port, it will act like a altimeter, reading a increase of airspeed with a increase of altitude and vice versa.

What are the various compass errors?

Oscillation error—Erratic movement of the compass card caused by turbulence or rough control technique. Deviation error— Due to electrical and magnetic disturbances in the aircraft. Variation error—Angular difference between true and magnetic north; reference isogonic lines of variation. Dip errors: a. Acceleration error— On east or west headings, while accelerating, the magnetic compass shows a turn to the north, and when decelerating, it shows a turn to the south. Remember: ANDS Accelerate North Decelerate South b. Northerly turning error—The compass leads in the south half of a turn, and lags in the north half of a turn. Remember: UNOS Undershoot North Overshoot South

Name the types of precision and non-precision approaches

Precision: -Instrument landing system ILS - Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) Landing System (GLS) - Precision Approach Radar (PAR) Non-Precision: -Area Navigation (RNAV) - Localizer Performance (LP) - Very- High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) -Non- Directional Beacon (NDB) -Localizer (LOC) - Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR) -Localizer Type Directional Approach (LDA) - Simplified Directional Facility (SDF)

PAVE

Pilot Aircraft enVironment External Pressures

What are the fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions?

Plan fuel to a destination, to an alternate and after that for 45 mins at normal cruising speed

Define PFD. What information does it display?

Primary Flight Display, the pilot's primary reference for flight information

What is RVR? How do you convert that to visibility?

Runway Visual Range (RVR) describes the horizontal distance you can expect to see down a runway, based on seeing High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL) or other things on the runway that have visual contrast.

What is SRM? What are some ways you demonstrate good SRM habits in the cockpit?

Single Pilot Resource Management

What aircraft instruments and equipment are required for IFR operations? (91.205)

TOMATOFLAMES FLAPS + GRABCARD Generator or Alternator Radio/ Navigation Appropriate for Flight Attitude Indicator Ball (Inclinometer) Clock Altimeter (pressure sensitive) Rate of Turn Indicator Directional Gyro

What is TDZE?

TOUCHDOWN ZONE ELEVATION- The highest elevation in the first 3,000 feet of the landing surface. TDZE is indicated on the instrument approach procedure chart when straight-in landing minimums are authorized.

What are the major differences between an LDA and SDF approach?

The SDF approach differs from an LDA Approach in the fact that it is set to a 6 or 12 degree course width instead of the 3-6 degree width of a Localizer or LDA.

Define a VDP. In what kind of approach would you find one?

The Visual Descent Point (VDP) is a defined point on a straight-in, non-precision approach from which you can descend below the MDA, as long as you have the required visual reference. If a VDP is available, it will be indicated by a "v" on the profile view portion of the instrument approach procedure chart.

What does the number on the farthest top right corner of your approach plate stand for?

The first two digits indicate the year, the last three digits indicate the day of the year

How does the attitude indicator work?

The gyro in the attitude indicator is mounted on a horizontal plane and depends upon rigidity in space for its operation. The horizon bar represents the true horizon and is fixed to the gyro; it remains in a horizontal plane as the airplane is pitched or banked about its lateral or longitudinal axis, indicating the attitude of the airplane relative to the true horizon.

What are the limitations for procedure turns?

The normal procedure turn distance is 10 miles. This may be reduced to a minimum of 5 miles where only Category A or helicopter aircraft are to be operated, or increased to as much as 15 miles to accommodate high performance aircraft.

How does the heading indicator work?

The operation of the heading indicator works on the principle of rigidity in space. The rotor turns in a vertical plane, and fixed to the rotor is a compass card. Since the rotor remains rigid in space, the points on the card hold the same position in space relative to the vertical plane. As the instrument case and the airplane revolve around the vertical axis, the card provides clear and accurate heading information.

What are pendulous vanes?

The pendulous vane system in a vacuum-driven attitude indicator keeps the gyroscope upright. If for some reason the gyro is displaced, the vanes and air jets create a precession force that drives the gyro to erect again, returning it to the vertical.

Within what distance must the procedure turn maneuver be executed?

The procedure turn maneuver must be executed within the distance specified in the profile view. The normal procedure turn distance is 10 miles.

What instruments are affected if the static port freezes over? What are the instrument errors?

The static system, affects your airspeed, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator (VSI) indications. A blocked static port will cause the altimeter and VSI to remain "frozen," reporting the pressure trapped in the static system.

How does the turn coordinator operate?

The turn part of the instrument uses precession to indicate direction and approximate rate of turn. A gyro reacts by trying to move in reaction to the force applied, thus moving the miniature aircraft in proportion to the rate of turn. The inclinometer in the instrument is a black glass ball sealed inside a curved glass tube that is partially filled with a liquid. The ball measures the relative strength of the force of gravity and the force of inertia caused by a turn.

What does MIRL and HIRL stand for?

These light systems are classified according to the intensity or brightness they are capable of producing: they are the High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL), Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL), Low Intensity Runway Lights (LIRL).

What would be the indication if the pitot tube entry hole becomes partially blocked?

Think of this as trapping the air inside your pitot system. If you don't climb, descend, speed up, or slow down, your airspeed indicator will freeze on the last airspeed before the tube/drain became blocked.

What personal documents must you have with you to fly

Valid ID, Medical, License, Logbook if solo

What does VOR stand for?

Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range

What are the magnetic dip errors?

While flying a north heading and turning to the left, the compass will initially show a turn in the opposite direction and lag behind the turn. When on a south heading, the compass will lead the turn and show that the turn is being made a much faster rate than it actually is. If north is home (compass races home and wants to stay there) (lags from north and leads from south)

Where does the final segment begin?

at the FAF/FAP and ends at the missed approach point (MAPt)

Where does the initial segment begin?

at the intermediate fix

How does the magnetic compass work?

because the Earth is like a very big magnet and surrounded by a huge magnetic field. The Earth has two magnetic poles near the North and South poles. This magnetic field of the Earth causes a magnetized 'needle' of iron or steel to swing freely into a north-south position

Are the heading and attitude indicators mounted vertically or horizontally?

horizontal plane and depends upon rigidity in space for its operation

When is it required to have an instrument rating?

in order to act as PIC of a flight below VFR weather mins. in controlled airspace and/ or under IFR. Additionally, when flying an airplane under special VFR at night

Types of Airspeed

indicated airspeed: speed that is indicated calibrated airspeed: indicated airspeed corrected for position equivalent airspeed: calibrated airspeed corrected for non-standard pressure true airspeed: equivalent airspeed corrected for non standard density

What are the segments of an instrument approach?

initial, intermediate, final, and missed approach.

Define a stabilized approach

one in which the pilot establishes and maintains a constant angle glidepath towards a predetermined point on the landing runway.

What are the two principles of operation for gyroscopes?

rigidity in space and precession.

What would happen if the PFD failed?

switch to the MFD

What information does the turn coordinator provide?

tells us the rate of rotation of the aircraft in minutes per lap

When an approach procedure title contains more than one navigational system separated by a slash, what does that mean?

that more than one type of equipment must be used to execute the final approach (e.g., VOR/DME RWY 31)

What instruments operate from the pitot-static system?

the airspeed indicator, the altimeter, the vertical speed indicator.

Where does the intermediate segment begin?

this segment usually begins at the intermediate fix (IF) and ends at the final approach fix (FAF)

What conditions are necessary to log instrument time?

when the person operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or sim instrument flight conditions

What is ARP?

​Airport References Points (ARP) - An airport reference point is the center point of an airport, located at the geometric center of all the usable runways.

Not current looking back 12 months? How would you become current again ?

▷ Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) by a CFII, examiner, or other approved person is required. Guidelines are in the ACS. ▷ Some IPC tasks, but not all, can be conducted in a FTD or ATD. (Refer to the ACS)

Define "appropriately rated" safety pilot

▷ Safety pilot requirements □ At least a private pilot with appropriate category and class. □ Have adequate vision forward and to each side of the aircraft. □ Aircraft must have a dual control system.