IFR Flight Plan/Procedures

Question 1

No person may operate an aircraft in controlled airspace under IFR unless:

Answer 1

Filed an IFR flight plan

Received appropriate ATC clearance

Question 2

Can you fly IFR in uncontrolled airspace without a flight plan or clearance?

Answer 2

Yes, it is legal.

Once you are airborne you must remain in uncontrolled airspace until you file a flight plan and get an ATC clearance to enter the controlled airspace

91.173

Question 3

Benefits of an instrument rating?

Answer 3

Class A airspace

Fly in IMC

File an IFR flight plan

Question 4

How can you file an IFR flight plan?

Answer 4

FSS - by phone or 1-800-WX-BRIEF

ForeFlight

Over the radio on RCO frequencies

With ATC over the radio or phone

Question 5

When should you file your flight plan?

Answer 5

File at least 30 minutes prior to estimated departure

Question 6

How can you cancel your flight plan?

Answer 6

Towered airports automatically cancel for you

Non-towered you need to contact ATC to cancel by radio or phone

Can cancel anytime in flight if out of IMC and not in Class A airspace

Question 7

When do you need to file an alternate?

Answer 7

A destination alternate is always required UNLESS

An instrument approach is published and available for the destination AND

Ceiling is at least 2000’ one hour before to one hour after ETA AND

Visibility is at least 3sm

Question 8

What are the minimum weather requirements to list an airport as an alternate?

Answer 8

Precision approach - 600ft ceiling and 2sm visibility

Non-Precision approach - 800ft ceiling and 2sm visibility

No instrument approach - ceiling and visibility must allow descent from MEA, approach and landing under VFR

Question 9

IFR Crusing Altitudes

Answer 9

0-179 ODD thousands

180-359 EVEN thousands

Question 10

IFR takeoff minimums

Answer 10

No T/O minimums prescribed for part 91 operations

Part 121, 125, 129, 135 T/O mins are as follows

Prescribed T/O mins for the runway, or:

1-2 engines airplanes: 1sm visibility

More than 2 engines: 1/2sm visibility

T in a black triangle - non standard takeoff and departure procedures

A in a black triangle - non standard IFR alternate minimums exist

A in a black triangle with NA - alternate minimums not authorized due to unmonitored facility or the absence of weather reporting service

Question 11

Departure procedures

Answer 11

Either textual or graphical

Ensures obstacle clearance, provided:

The airplane crossed the departure end of the runway at least 35 feet AGL

Reaches 400ft AGL before turning and climbs at least 200 feet per NM or as published otherwise on the chart

Question 12

What is the FPNM to fpm conversion?

Answer 12

fpm = FPNM * groundspeed / 60

FPNM is normally 200 unless stated otherwise

Question 13

When are pilots encourage to file a DP (departure procedure) ?

Answer 13

Pilots are encouraged to file a DP at night, during VMC or IMC

Question 14

What are the two types of Departure Procedures?

Answer 14

Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP)

Standard Instrument Departure (SID)

Question 15

What’s an ODP?

Answer 15

Provides only obstacle clearance

Graphic ODP’s will have “(obstacle)” printed in the chart title

Question 16

What’s a SID?

Answer 16

Standard Instrument Departure

In addition to obstacle clearance it reduces pilot and controller workload by simplifying ATC clearance and minimizing radio communications

Some SID’s may depict special radio failure procedures

Question 17

Are you required to accept a DP?

Answer 17

No, to avoid receiving one, state “NO SID’s” in remarks section of flight plan

Transition routes connect the end of the basic SID procedure to the en route structure

Question 18

IFR Departure Clearance

CRAFT

Answer 18

Clearance limit

Route

Altitude

Frequency

Transponder

Question 19

What is clearance void time?

Answer 19

The time at which your clearance is void and after which you may not takeoff.

You must notify ATC within 30 minutes after the void time if you did not depart

Question 20

“Hold for release”

Answer 20

You may not takeoff until being released for IFR departure

Question 21

Release time

Answer 21

Earliest time the aircraft may depart under IFR

Question 22

Expect Departure Clearance Time (EDCT)

Answer 22

A runway release time given under traffic management programs in busy airports.

Aircraft are expected to depart no earlier and no later than 5 minutes from the EDCT

Question 23

What’s a Standard Terminal Arrival?

STAR

Answer 23

Serves as a transition between the en route structure and a point from which an approach to landing can be made

Transition routes connect en route fixes to the basic STAR procedure

Usually named according to the fix at which the basic procedure begins

You can state “NO STAR’s” in remarks to avoid getting one

RNAV STARs require RNAV1 performance

Question 24

IFR Altitudes

91.177

Answer 24

Except for takeoff or landing, or otherwise authorized by the FAA, no person may operate an aircraft under IFR below:

Minimum altitudes prescribed for the flown segment, or if none:

Mountainous areas: 2,000ft above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4nm from the course

Non-mountainous areas: 1,000ft above the highest obstacle within 4nm from the course