Basic Instruments Flashcards
What are ATIS/ASOS/AWOS/HIWAS
continuous weather reports transmitted over a discrete VHF / VOR frequency. Information / observations from ASOS, AWOS and ATIS also serves as a basic function needed to generate METAR reports
FIH provides information on what each report includes
ATIS
normally receivable 20 - 60 nm
Time, ceiling, visibility, obstructions to visibility, temperature, dew point, wind direction/velocity, altimeter, runway in use, and other remarks
ASOS/AWOS
ASOS - primary surface weather observing system in the US for small airports, uses several sensors around the airport to provide continuous minute by minute observations
AWOS - a smaller version of ASOS that consist normally of only one set of sensors located near the touch-down area of the primary instrument RWY
Categorial Outlook Terms
VFR - greater than 3000 ft and 5 sm
MVFR - 1000 - 3000 ft ceilings 3 - 5 sm
IFR - 500 - < 1000 ft ceilings 1 - < 3 sm
LIFR < 500 ft ceilings < 1 sm
ceilings reported in AGL
MOCA
minimum obstacle clearance altitude - lowest altitude along an established route which meets obstacle clearance for entire route & assures navigational reception within 22 nm of VOR
MCA
minimum crossing altitude - lowest altitude at a fix which must cross when proceeding in the direction of a higher minimum en-route altitude
MEA
minimum en-route altitude - lowest published altitude between fixes which assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and obstacle clearance between fixes
MRA
minimum reception altitude - lowest altitude an intersection can be determined
MIA
minimum IFR altitude - minimum altitude for IFR operations. Includes: MOCA, MEA, MCA, MSA, MVA… If no altitudes are listed then use 2000 ft over in mountainous and 1000 in non mountainous / 4 nm of course line
MSA
minimum safe altitude - altitude that provides at least 1000 ft obstacle clearance for emergency use. Normally called emergency safe altitudes or min sector altitudes
ESA
emergency safe altitude - depicted on approach charts, 2000 ft clearance mountainous 1000 ft non mountainous within 100 miles of facility. Used primary for military procedures
MSA
minimum sector altitude - depicted on approach charts, provides 2000 ft clearance mountainous and 1000 ft non mountainous within 25 miles of facility. For emergency use only and do not necessarily assure acceptable navigational signal coverage
MVA
minimum vectoring altitude - lowest altitude which may be used under emergency conditions which will provide 1000 ft obstacle Clarance within 25 mile of facility
Compute ETE for destination
estimated time required enroute from departure AP to destination AP or last fix shown in route of flight exclusive of any planned delays. Allow sufficient time for departure and climb to flight altitude
Compute ETE for Alternate
estimated time required enroute from MAP to the missed approach holding point one circuit in the holding pattern - then from the missed approach holding point to the alternate AP including approach and landing
What is a straight in landing
a landing made on a RWY aligned within 30 degrees of the final approach course following completion of an Instrument Approach
Clear for staring in approach / cleared for the approach
if cleared for straight in the pilot is. expected to continue with the published approach without performing a course reversal / PT.
If cleared for the approach the pilot is expected to perform the course reversal / PT and then continue with the published approach
how is the final approach fix designated on charts
the FAF is a fix from which the final approach to the AP is executed and which identifies the beginning of the final approach segment.
A Maltese cross is the symbol for non precision approaches
A lightning Bolt is the symbol for precision approaches
NOTAMS
time - critical aeronautical information of either temporary nature or not sufficiently known in advance to permit publication on charts / pubs. This information is essential for enroute, terminal, or landing operations that could affect a pilot’s decision to make a flight.
IFR cruising altitudes
MC 0 - 179 odd thousands
MC 180 - 359 even thousands
VFR altitude add 500 ft
Special Use Airspace - Prohibited
prohibited from flying through due to national security
Special Use Airspace - Restricted
restricted from flying through due to invisible hazards
Special Use Airspace - Warning
3 nm outside designed to Warn you of potential hazards to a nonparticipating aircraft
Special Use Airspace - Alert Area
designed to alert you to wrest that may contain a high volume of pilot training
Special Use Airspace - MOA
established for the purpose of separating certain types of military training activities from IFR traffic
Special Use Airspace - Nat’l Security Area
established for increased security and safety of a ground facility. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid NSA’s
Instrument Departure Procedures
Diverse Departure Procedure - cross departure end of RWY at 35 ft AGL minimum climb gradient of 200 ft/nm if 60 kts climb 400 ft AGL before making any turns
Obstacle Departure Procedure
designed to provide obstacle clearance and transition from terminal area to appropriate enroute structure
Standard Instrument Departure
designed for system enhancement and to reduce pilot/s controller workload
how long does the weather forecast last
1 hr 30 minutes
4 times you can not educe visibility by 50%
flying faster than 90 kts
copter approaches
reduction of visibility below 1/4 sm
approach plate starts visibility reduction by helicopter NA
when can an aircraft be flown below the published MDA or DA
the approach threshold of the runway must be clear visible
the aircraft must be in a safe position to complete the landing
VFR exception rule
MEA - field elevation + basic cloud clearance round up to nearest 100 add airspace visibility
Approach speed categories
A - 90 kts or less
B - 91 kts to 120 kts
C - 121 kts to 140 kts
Procedure Turn not required
No PT Radar Vector Cleared Straight in Approach Tear Drop PT depicted and course reversal required Procedure Turn Barb Holding Pattern
What are normal usable distance for L-VORs and T-VORs , ILS?
Low - VORs = 40 nm
ILS/LOC = 18 nm
Terminal VORs = 25 nm
Glide Slope = 10 nm
upon reaching a holding fix or point to which cleared, what information will ATC expect you to provide without request
Time, altitude when reaching fix or point which cleared
Can you file to an airport? 1 - 3 -6
Destination weather at ETA through one hour
Radar
Navaids Unmonitored
400/1 plus predominate
Alternate Radar Navaid unmonitored A N/A Control Airspace GPS
lost comms
Route Assigned Vectored Expected Filed
Altitude (Highest)
MIA
Expected
Assigned
Class A
IFR Only
Mode C Transponder required, Two - way Commo
48 contiguous states plus Alaska within 12 NM
18,000 MSL three FL 600
Class B
3 SM / Clear of Clouds
Mode C Transponder within 30 NM, ATC clearance, two - way combo
SFC - 10,000 MSL or as depicted
need clearance prior to entering
Class C
3 Sm / 500 Below, 1000 Above, 2000 Horizontal
Mode C Transponder within or above, two way comms required, and acknowledgement
5 nm inner core SFC - 4000 AGL / 10 nm outer shelf 1200 AGL - 4000 AGL
Class D
3 Sm / 500 Below, 1000 Above, 2000 Horizontal
SFC to 2,500 AGL
Two way comms required
When closed will covert to E - SFC or G - SFC
Class E
Above 10,000 MSL
5 Sm / 1000 Below, 1000 Above, 1 SM Horizontal
Below 10,000 MSL
3 Sm / 500 Below, 1000 Above, 2000 Horizontal
Class G
Above 1200 AGL
Above 10,000 MSL
5 SM / 1000 Below, 1000 Above, 1 SM Horizontal
Below 10,000 MSL
1 SM Day / 3 SM Day
500 Below 1000 Above 2000 Horizontal
Class G
Below 1200 AGL
Regardless of MSL
1/2 SM Day / 1 SM Night
Clear of Clouds
Categories of Airspace
Regulatory - A, B, C, D, E, Prohibited, Restricted
Nonregulatory - All other - G, MOA’s, Warning Areas, Alert Areas, CFA’s, etc….
Types of Airspace
Controlled
Uncontrolled
Special Use
Other Airspace
Mode C Transponder required when
Within Class A Within 30 NM of Class B Within or above all Class C At or above 10,000 ft MSL (except airspace below 2500' AGL) Operations within, across, or into ADIZ
Transponder Operations (Special Codes)
1200 VFR Flight 4000 Military Restricted / Warning Area 7500 Hijack 7600 Lost Commo 7700 Emergency 7777 Military Interceptor Operations
Special Use Airspace
Prohibited Restricted Warning Alert Area MOA Control Firing Area National Security Area
Other Airspace Areas
Airport Advisory Areas Published VFR Routes Temporary Flight Restrictions TRSA Military Training Routes Parachute Jump Area ADIZ
What is a VOR
Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range
if underlined means no voice
accuracy of course alignment +/- 1 degree but no more than 2.5 degree
VHF frequencies
What is a TACAN
Tactical Air Navigation
provides display of range information, DME - provides continuous slant range distance
UHF frequencies
Instruments TC
TC 3-04.5
What is a VORTAC
VOR and TACAN
provides VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth, and TACAN distance (DME)
frequency pairing information in the FIH
What is DME
Distance Measuring Equipment
- line of sight principle
- frequencies UHF
- if TACAN equipped will receive distance if not need DME equipment
GPS
3 segments - space, control, user
check for restrictions in FLIP, GP, Area Plannng
four satellites
ILS / VOR cones
ILS 2.5 on either side of center line.
