IFR Instruments

Question 1

ARSR

Answer 1

Air Route Surveillance Radar

Question 2

ASR

Answer 2

Airport Surveillance Radar

Question 3

PAR

Answer 3

Precision Approach Radar

Question 4

ASDE

Answer 4

Airport Surface Detection Equipment

Question 5

What are the three types of VORs?

Answer 5

1. VOR (just the VOR)
2. VOR-DME (VOR plus distance measuring equipment)
3. VORTAC (VOR plus the military’s tactical air navigation system)

Each VOR station can further be classified according to its range - terminal, low altitude, or high altitude. Terminal VORs are designed to be clearly received up to 25 nautical miles from the station at altitudes of 1,000 feet agl through 12,000 feet agl. Low-altitude VORs are meant to be used from 1,000 feet agl through 18,000 feet agl at distances of up to 40 nm from the station. Finally, high altitude VORs have the greatest range - 130 nm - between 18,000 feet agl and 45,000 feet agl, although they can also be effective at shorter ranges of 40 nm or more from 1,000 feet agl all the way through 60,000 feet agl. Remember that all VORs can only be received line-of-sight. So, if there’s a mountain between you and the VOR, you will not receive a reliable signal even though you are within the station’s range.

Question 6

What is the reception range for a terminal VOR?

Answer 6

Terminal VORs are designed to be clearly received up to 25 nautical miles from the station at altitudes of 1,000 feet AGL through 12,000 feet AGL.

Question 7

What is the reception range for a low-altitude VOR?

Answer 7

Low-altitude VORs are meant to be used from 1,000 feet agl through 18,000 feet agl at distances of up to 40 nm from the station.

Question 8

What is the reception range for a high-altitude VOR?

Answer 8

High altitude VORs have the greatest range - 130 nm - between 18,000 feet agl and 45,000 feet agl, although they can also be effective at shorter ranges of 40 nm or more from 1,000 feet agl all the way through 60,000 feet agl.

Question 9

How many degrees does each dot represent on a VOR CDI?

Answer 9

2 degrees per dot

Question 10

How many dots are on a VOR CDI?

Answer 10

5 on each side of center for a coverage of 10 degrees on each side of center.

Question 11

What is the distance represented by each dot on the VOR CDI?

Answer 11

At 30 miles from the VOR, each dot represents 1 mile.

Question 12

Static Pressure Instruments

Answer 12

ASI - Airspeed indicator
VSI - Vertical Speed Indicator
ALT - Altimeter

Question 13

Gyroscopic Instruments

Answer 13

1. Heading Indicator
2. Attitude Indicator (artificial horizon)
3. Turn and Slip Indicator

Question 13

What is the range of a localizer signal?

Answer 13

Usable range:
25 nm within 10 degrees of centerline.
17 nm within 35 degrees of centerline.

Reduced range:
18 nm within 10 degrees of centerline.
10 nm within 35 degrees of centerline.

Question 14

PFD

Answer 14

Primary Flight Display

Replaces the six traditional instruments with a single easy to scan display.

Question 15

MFD

Answer 15

Multi-function Display

Displays moving maps, navigation information, aircraft systems information, etc.. Can also become the PFD.

Question 16

ADC

Answer 16

Air Data Computer

Receives data from sensors (ram, static, temp, magnetic) and computes course and altitude data for the AHRS.

Question 17

TAWS

Answer 17

Terrain Awareness System

Provides terrain graphics and warnings.

Question 18

TIS

Answer 18

Traffic Information System

Provides traffic information, alerts, and warnings from ATC Radar Systems.

Question 19

AHRS

Answer 19

Attitude and Heading Reference System

Question 20

FMS

Answer 20

Flight Management System

Computer database that allows for the programming of routes, approaches, and departures. It can supply navigation data to FMS or autopilot, and calculate flight parameters such as time remaining, range, fuel consumption, and more.

Question 21

FD

Answer 21

Flight Director

Provides directional guidance to the pilot

Question 22

TACAN

Answer 22

Tactical Air Navigation

Military VOR equivalent

Question 23

LORAN

Answer 23

Long Range Navigation

Question 24

MLS

Answer 24

Microwave Landing System

Question 25

INS

Answer 25

Inertial Navigation System

Question 26

TSO-C129a

Answer 26

GPS (non-WAAS)

Supplemental navigation equipment
LNAV approaches only
Not authorized for alternate planning (unless you have other approach navigation equipment onboard.)

Question 27

TSO-C196

Answer 27

Non-WAAS GPS

Upgraded TSO-C129a version

a. “Selective Availability Aware”
b. RF noise tolerant

Operationally identical to TSO-C129a

Question 29

TSO-C146c

Answer 29

WAAS GPS

Stand-alone navigation equipment.
Primary navigation equipment (not supplemental)
No RAIM predictions required prior to use for approaches.
Only limitation is plan alternates to LNAV or circling minimums.

Question 31

TSO-C145c

Answer 31

WAAS GPS

Airborne navigation sensor.
Primary navigation equipment (not supplemental)
No RAIM predictions required prior to use for approaches.
Only limitation is plan alternates to LNAV or circling minimums.

Question 32

High Altitude VOR Service volumes

Answer 32

1000’ - 14500’ 40 Nm
14500’ - 18000 100 Nm
18000 - FL450 130 Nm
FL450 - FL600 100 Nm