Instrument areas I have trouble with

Question 1

Holding Speeds

Answer 1

Below 6k MSL 200 KIAS
6,001-14k 230 KIAS
Above 14k 265 KIAS

Speed reduction 3 minutes prior to holding fix, cross holding fix at/below holding speed

Question 2

Holding Leg Length

Answer 2

Below 14.5 1 min inbound
Above 14.5 1.5 min inbound

Crab as needed outbound to end-up on the proper inbound course then crab as needed to track inbound on the proper course

Turns: Right turn is standard (assumed) unless they tell you otherwise

Question 3

Airspace Requirements

Class B - busy airports

radio comms, equipment required, VFR criteria

Answer 3

• ATC clearance to enter
• 2-way radio contact, transponder, ADS-B out
• VFR = 3 sm & clear of clouds

Question 4

Airspace Requirements

Class C - big airports

radio comms, equipment required, VFR criteria

Answer 4

• Comms w/ ATC prior to entry
• 2-way radio contact, transponder, ADS-B out
• VFR = 3152 = 3 sm, 1000 above, 500 below, 2000 horizontal

Question 5

Airspace Requirements

Class D - small airports w/ tower

radio comms, equipment required, VFR criteria

Answer 5

• Comms w/ ATC prior to entry
• 2-way radio contact
• VFR = 3152 = 3 sm, 1000 above, 500 below, 2000 horizontal

Question 6

Airspace Requirements

Class E - other controlled airspace

radio comms, equipment required, VFR criteria

Answer 6

• Radio contact not required for VFR
• VFR = >
• above 10k == 5111 = 5 sm, 1000 above, 1000 bleow, 1 sm horizontal
• below 10k == 3152 = 3 sm, 1000 above, 500 below, 2000 horizontal

Question 7

Part 91 Oxygen Requirements

Answer 7

• 12.5 - 14k == O2 for cabin crew if longer than 30 minutes
• Above 14k == O2 for cabin crew
• Above 15k == O2 for crew and avail for others

Question 8

Requirements to log instrument time

Answer 8

• Must be actual IMC from IAF until after FAF or
• Sim IMC (foggles) IAF to minimums

Question 9

Instrument Currency

Answer 9

6 HITS within last 6 months
- ○ 6 approaches
- ○ Holding
- ○ Intercept & track course
- ○ Can be in sim without instructor

More than 6 months requires safety pilot for the 6 HITS

More than 12 months requires IPC

Question 10

Alternate needed

wx at destination

Answer 10

• 3, 2, 1 rule - wx less than 3 sm, 2000’ plus/minus 1 hour need alternate

Question 11

Alternate mins

Answer 11

○ Standard
§ 600/2 for precision approach
§ 800/2 for non-precision approach

Or as required by airport mins (the “A” on approach plates)

“A with NA” symbols mean can’t use as alternate

Question 12

GPS & alternate approaches

Answer 12

• WAAS GPS
  ○ Can both be GPS but alternate must use LNAV mins

Question 13

Flight Planning Fuel

Answer 13

t/o to destination to farthest alternate plus 45 min at cruise

Question 14

To act as PIC with passengers

more than 50nm or IFR

Answer 14

• Flight review within 24 months
• 3 t/o & landings in last 90 days

Question 15

Position Reports

non-radar environment

Answer 15

“A PTA TEN R” -
(§91.183, AIM 5-3-2)

■ Aircraft ID. 
■ Position. 
■ Time.
■ Altitude. 

* Type of flight plan (except when communicating with ARTCC / Approach control). 
* ETA and name of next reporting fix. 
* Name only of the next succeeding point along the route of flight.

■ Any pertinent remarks.

Question 16

Mandatory Reports

Answer 16

• Missed approach
• Airspeed ±10 kts / 5% change of filed TAS (whichever is greater)
• Reaching a holding fix (report time & altitude)
• Leaving a holding fix/point
• VFR on top when an altitude change will be made.
• Vacating an altitude / FL
• Unforecasted weather (§91.183)
• Safety of flight (any other information related to safety of flight, §91.183)
• Radio/Nav/approach equipment failure (§91.187)
• 500 - unable climb/descent 500 fpm

Required only in non-radar environments (including ATC radar failure)
* ETA changed ±2 min, or ±3 min in North Atlantic (NAT) *
* Outer marker (or fix used in lieu of it) *
* Final Approach fix *
* Compulsory reporting points ▲ * (§91.183)

Question 17

Lost Comms

Altitudes

Answer 17

Highest of:
- minimum IFR
- Expected
- Assigned

for each leg

Question 18

Lost Comms

Route

Answer 18

In this order (AVEF)
- Assigned
- Vector
- Expected
- Filed

Question 19

Leaving Clearance Limit

When lost comms

Answer 19

Is limit a fix to start approach
- yes - start approach at EFC/ETA
- no - leave limit at EFC or on arrival and proceed to initial to start approach at ETA