IFR AC91-11 and Part 91

Question 1

When can a single pilot operate an aircraft under IFR without the need for a co-pilot?

Answer 1

When the aircraft flight manual authorises operation of the aircraft with one pilot; and

(2) the aircraft is equipped with communication equipment that can be operated by the pilot without releasing the aircraft flight
controls.

Question 2

What are the fuel requirements for IFR flights under Part 91?

Answer 2

A pilot-in-command shall not operate an aircraft under IFR unless the aircraft carries sufficient fuel, taking into account weather reports and
forecasts and weather conditions, to complete the flight to the aerodrome of intended landing and

(i) for non-turbine-powered aeroplanes, fly after that for 45 minutes at holding speed at a height of 1500 feet above the aerodrome;

Question 3

What are the requirements for listing an alternate aerodrome for a IFR flight?

Answer 3

Alternates must be provided for an the aerodrome of intended landing which has a standard instrument
approach procedure published in the applicable AIP when:

at the time of submitting the flight plan, the meteorological forecasts indicate, for at least 1 hour before and 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival at the aerodrome of intended landing,
that
(i) the ceiling at the aerodrome will be at least 1000 feet above the minimum published in the applicable AIP for the instrument procedure likely to be used; and

(ii) visibility will be at least 5 km, or 2 km more than the minimum published in the applicable AIP, whichever is the greater.

Question 4

What are the meteorological requirements for a listed alternate aerodrome under Part 91?

Answer 4

A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must not list any aerodrome as an alternate on the IFR flight plan under paragraph (a) unless the meteorological forecasts at the time of submitting the flight plan indicate that

for a precision approach procedure, a ceiling of 600 feet, or 200 feet above DA/DH, whichever is the higher, and a visibility of 3000 metres, or 1000 metres more than the prescribed minimum,
whichever is the greater

for a non-precision approach procedure, a ceiling of 800 feet, or 200 feet above MDA/MDH, whichever is the higher, and a visibility of 4000 metres, or 1500 metres more than the prescribed minimum, whichever is the greater;

Question 5

When must an IFR flight plan be submitted to an ATS unit under Part 91?

Answer 5

A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must submit a flight plan to an appropriate ATS unit prior to any
flight under IFR unless otherwise authorised by ATS, submit the flight plan at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the flight and

advise the appropriate ATS unit, as soon as possible, of any delay exceeding 30 minutes in beginning the flight or departing from any aerodrome of intended landing; and

terminate the flight plan as soon as practicable on completion of
any flight at an aerodrome without ATS.

Question 6

When can a pilot deviate from an IFR flight plan filed with an ATS unit under Part 91?

Answer 6

A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must, when an IFR flight plan has been submitted, adhere to that flight plan or the applicable portion of the flight plan, unless

a request for change has been made and clearance obtained from an appropriate ATC unit; or

an emergency situation arises which necessitates immediate action to deviate from the flight plan.

Question 7

Where practicable how must a pilot adhere to an IFR filed flight plan under Part 91?

Answer 7

A pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating under IFR must, where practicable

(1) when on a route published in the applicable AIP, operate along the defined centre line of the route; or
(2) when on any other route, operate directly between the navigation facilities and points defining the route; or
(3) when on an area navigation route or parallel offset route, operate along the centreline of the route specified by ATS.

If a deviation from a flight plan is made under paragraph (a)(2), the pilot-in-command must notify an appropriate ATS unit as soon as
practicable.

Question 8

When an inadvertent change in flight plan occurs the PIC must advise ATS of what?

Answer 8

advise an appropriate ATS unit of

(i) any deviation from track; and
(ii) any variation of 5% or more of the true airspeed or any variation of ± 0.01 or more of the Mach number given in the flight plan; and
(iii) a revised ETA when the estimated ETA to the next reporting point notified to the ATS unit is found to be in error by more than two minutes; and

regain track as soon as practicable.

Question 9

When an instrument approach is available for use which minimum height must be used before landing can be performed under Part 91?

Answer 9

When the instrument approach procedure required by paragraph (a) provides for and requires the use of a DA, DH, or MDA, a pilot-in-command must use the DA, DH, or MDA that is the highest of the following

(1) the DA, DH, or MDA prescribed by the instrument approach
procedure; or

(2) the DA, DH, or MDA prescribed for the pilot-in-command; or
(3) the DA, DH, or MDA for which the aircraft is equipped.

Question 10

When may an aircraft operate below DA, DH, or MDA?

Answer 10

When the aircraft is continuously in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal manoeuvres

the flight visibility is not less than the visibility published in the applicable AIP for the instrument approach procedure being used

at least one of the following visual references for the intended runway is distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot

(i) the approach lighting system; or
(ii) the threshold markings; or
(iii) the threshold lights; or
(iv) the runway-end identification lights; or
(v) the visual approach slope indicator; or
(vi) the touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings; or
(vii) the touchdown zone lights; or
(viii) the runway or runway markings; or
(ix) the runway lights.

Question 11

When may a pilot land an aircraft or operate below MDA/ DA IFR under Part 91?

Answer 11

A pilot-in-command must not land an aircraft when the flight visibility is less than the visibility published in the applicable AIP for the instrument approach procedure used.

Question 12

When must a missed approach be executed IFR under Part 91?

Answer 12

the requirements of paragraph (c) are not met at either of the following times:

(i) when the aircraft is being operated below MDA; or
(ii) upon arrival at the missed approach point, including a DA or DH where a DA or DH is specified and its use is required, and any time after that until touchdown; or

(2) an identifiable part of the aerodrome is not distinctly visible to the pilot during a circling manoeuvre at or above MDA, unless the inability to see an identifiable part of the aerodrome results
only from normal manoeuvring of the aircraft during approach.

Question 13

What are the take-off minima for an aerodrome with unpublished minima?

Answer 13

If weather minima for IFR take-off are not published in the applicable AIP for a particular aerodrome, a ceiling of at least 300 feet and more than 1500 m visibility.

Question 14

What are the requirements of taking off with reduced minima under IFR under Part 91?

Answer 14

A pilot-in-command of an aircraft may take off under IFR at an aerodrome at a take-off minima of 0ft cloud ceiling and visibility at or above 800 m if

(1) the runway to be used has centre-line marking or centre-line lighting; and
(2) the take-off weather visibility is confirmed by the pilot-incommand by observing the runway centre-line marking or centre-line lighting; and
(3) reduced take-off minima on the runway to be used are published in the applicable AIP; and

if the aircraft is a 2 engine propeller-driven aeroplane, the aircraft is equipped with an operative auto-feather or auto-coarse system.

Question 15

When can a pilot operate in known icing conditions under Part 91?

Answer 15

Except as provided in paragraph (b), a pilot-in-command operating an aircraft under IFR shall not

(1) perform a take-off in an aircraft that has (i) snow, ice, or frost adhering to any propeller, windscreen,
or powerplant installation, or to an airspeed, altimeter, rate of climb, or flight attitude instrument system; or

(ii) snow, ice, or frost adhering to the wings, stabilisers, or control surfaces; and
(2) fly an aircraft into known or forecast icing conditions unless the aircraft is certificated with ice protection equipment for flight in the type of known icing conditions.

A pilot-in-command may perform a take-off in an aircraft that has snow, ice, or frost, adhering to the aircraft if the take-off is performed in accordance with the aircraft flight manual, or instructions and data provided by the aircraft manufacturer, for take-off in such conditions.

Question 16

What are the minimum altitudes for an IFR flight under Part 91?

Answer 16

Pilot must not operate below the applicable minimum altitudes published in the applicable AIP; or

(2) if an applicable minimum altitude is not published in the applicable AIP
(i) for operations over a mountainous zone designated under Part 71 or applicable AIP, a height of 2000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 5 nm from the position of the aircraft; or
(ii) a height of 1000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 5 nm from the position of the aircraft.

Question 17

What are the IFR cruising altitudes?

Answer 17

In FIR below 13,000ft:
(i) on a magnetic track of 270° clockwise to 089°, any odd thousand foot altitude AMSL; or

(ii) on a magnetic track of 090° clockwise to 269°, any even thousand foot altitude AMSL:

In FIR above FL150- FL410:
(i) on a magnetic track of 270° clockwise to 089°, any odd flight level beginning at and including flight level 150; or

(ii) on a magnetic track of 090° clockwise to 269°, any even flight level beginning at and including flight level 160:

Question 18

What are the conditions of cruising above 13,000ft IFR under Part 91?

Answer 18

Except as provided in paragraph (c), a pilot-in-command of an aircraft within the New Zealand FIR operating under IFR must not maintain level cruising flight

(1) at any level between 13 000 feet AMSL and flight level 150, unless authorised to do so by an ATC unit for flights in controlled airspace; and
(2) at any flight level below flight level 160 when the area QNH zone setting is 980 hPa or less; and
(3) below flight level 160 when operating in IMC within a 20 nm radius encompassing Mount Cook centred on S 43.36.00.0, E 170.09.00.0

Question 19

When can a pilot operate within the transition layer in uncontrolled airspace under Part 91?

Answer 19

A pilot-in-command of an aircraft within the New Zealand FIR operating under IFR outside controlled airspace may maintain level cruising flight between 13 000 feet AMSL and flight level 150 if the pilot-incommand

(1) is unable to operate the aircraft in level cruising flight at or below 13 000 feet AMSL or at or above flight level 150; and
(2) has established that there is no conflict with other aircraft at the altitude to be flown; and
(3) has given to the relevant

Question 20

If an aircraft has a radio failure under IFR what are the rules regarding flight in VMC conditions under Part 91?

Answer 20

Unless otherwise authorised by ATC, a pilot-in-command of an aircraft that has radio communications failure when operating under IFR in
VMC, or if VMC are encountered after the failure, must continue the flight under VFR and land as soon as practicable at the nearest suitable
aerodrome.

Question 21

If an aircraft has a radio failure under IFR what are the rules regarding flight in IMC conditions during departure, encounter and receiving vectoring under Part 91?

Answer 21

Unless otherwise authorised by ATC a pilot-in-command of an aircraft, that has radio communication failure when operating under IFR in
IMC or, that is operating in VMC where the maintenance of such conditions is uncertain, must continue the flight in accordance with the flight plan, and;

(1) if the communication failure occurs during departure, maintain the last assigned level to the point specified then continue the
flight in accordance with the flight plan;

(2) if the communication failure occurs during departure in the course of ATC radar vectoring, maintain the last assigned vector
for 2 minutes while maintaining terrain clearance, then continue the flight in accordance with the flight plan;

(3) if the communication failure occurs during the en route phase of the flight
(i) track to the destination aid or fix specified by ATC or, if not specified, to the aid or fix for the anticipated instrument approach procedure, at the last assigned level and

Question 22

If an aircraft has a radio failure under IFR what are the rules regarding flight under radar vectoring for an approach under Part 91?

Answer 22

If the communication failure occurs while the aircraft is operated under ATC radar vectoring during initial or intermediate approach, maintain the last assigned altitude until the aircraft is established on final approach then continue the instrument
approach procedure;

Question 23

What portable electronic devices are allowed on IFR flights under Part 91?

Answer 23

(a) No person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot-in-command of
an aircraft allow the operation of, any cellphone or other portable electronic device that is designed to transmit electromagnetic energy, on any aircraft
while that aircraft is operating under IFR.

(c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to⎯
(1) hearing aids;
(2) heart pacemakers;
(3) portable voice recorders;
(4) electric shavers;
(5) electronic watches; or
(6) any other portable electronic device if the operator of the aircraft
has determined that the portable electronic device to be operated
will not cause interference with any aircraft system or equipment
in the aircraft on which it is operated.

Question 24

Whats the maximum speed for IFR aircraft under 10,000ft under Part 91?

Answer 24

No more than 250 kts IAS.

Question 24

What is the max hold speed, Vat speed, initial and final approach speed for a Cat B aircraft?

Answer 24

Hold 120
Vat 91-120
Initial Approach 120-180
Final Approach 85-130