Instrument Check Platinum Flashcards
When must you file IFR?
- IFR should be filed to the max extent possible
- Weather requires IFR (VFR Cannot be maintained)
- Airspace rules require an IFR flight plan
- Night Ops
When do you need to file an alternate?
- A compatiable instrument approach procedure is not available at the destination airfield
- Weather forecasts +/- 1 hour at the destination airfield ETA indicate, including TEMPO conditions, that the ceilings are less than 2000’ and a visibility of 3 SM
- Forecasted crosswinds are out of limits
- Denial of RVSM airspace would prevent a non-RVSM aircraft or flight from reaching the planned destination
What 8 items disqualifies an airport as an alternate?
- Worst alternate forecast weather conditions for +/-1 hour , to include TEMPO conditions, will meet or exceed a ceiling of 1,000 ft. and 2SM, or 500 ft.+Mins or 1SM+mins, whichever is higher
- Winds out of limits +/- 1 hour of ETA (25 knots max crosswind, 20 touch and gos, 10 for tailwind are main situations, but know ops limits)
- Weather reporting service is not available at the airfield
- Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace required for reaching planned alternate
- Radar is required for all compatible approaches
- “ ANA_symbol” (Alternate Not Authorized) on all compatible approaches, and Any note disqualifying the airfield or all compatible approaches in the IFR Alternate Minimums section
- GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) required at alternate & planned at destination
- Required navigational aids (NAVAIDS) will be Unmonitored
What is the minimum climb gradient required when departing an airfield under IFR?
200 ft./NM or published climb gradient, whichever is higher
What minimums are needed for circling/straight-in approaches?
Weather must be at or above both ceiling AND visibility in parentheses requirements
Can you begin your enroute descent or instrument approach if the weather at your destination is below mins?
No
What do you do if the weather goes below mins after you’ve already begun the approach?
The approach may be continued to the appropriate MAP and a landing may be accomplished if all criteria for landing are met.
If a TEMPO condition at your alternate (+1 hour of your ETA) shows weather below mins due to thunderstorms, snow showers, or rain showers, can you still use that airfield as an alternate?
Yes. However, if the TEMPO exists because of any other condition that pushes the weather below approach minimums (fog, haze, winds, etc.), you cannot use that airfield as an alternate.
If the forecast for your destination shows weather in limits, but includes a TEMPO line that is not, can you still file to that airfield?
Yes, but you need to file an alternate
How does fuel planning change if you are filing to an alternate?
Filing with visibility only: Your plan must include fuel for an approach and missed approach at your destination
Filing with visibility and ceiling: Your plan does not need to include fuel for a missed approach
What are the weather minimums for takeoff in IMC?
Pilots will not takeoff if the weather is below the lowest compatible approach minimums. Exception: MAJCOMs may publish alternative takeoff minimums and recovery procedures when takeoff weather is lower than published lowest compatible approach minimums. In all cases, takeoff visibility must be 600 RVR or greater.
[AETC] AFI 11-2 MDS must provide specific guidance on the alternate takeoff minimums and substitute recovery procedures. Minima below 1600 RVR are not authorized unless runways are equipped with centerline lights and visible markings, and two operative transmissometers.
What is the MOCA on this chart and what does the MOCA represent?
The MOCA (Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude) is the lowest published altitude in effect between fixes on VOR airways, off-airway routes, or route segments that meets obstacle clearance requirements for the entire route segment.
This altitude also assures acceptable navigational signal coverage only within 22 NM of a VOR.
The MOCA is *3000
What is the MEA on this chart and what does the MEA represent?
The MEA (Minimum En Route Altitude) is the lowest published altitude between radio fixes that ensures navigation signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes.
The MEA on this photo is 3800
What is the MRA on this chart and what does the MRA represent?
MRAs (Minimum Reception Altitude) are the minimum altitude the navigation signal can be received for the route and for off-course NAVAID facilities that determine a fix.
When the MRA at the fix is higher than the MEA, an MRA is established for the fix and is the lowest altitude at which an intersection can be determined.
4900
What is the MCA on this chart and what does the MCA represent?
An MCA (Minimum Crossing Altitude) is the lowest altitude at certain fixes at which the aircraft must cross when proceeding in the direction of a higher minimum en route IFR altitude.
4800
What is the OROCA on this chart and what does the OROCA represent?
An off-route obstruction clearance altitude (OROCA) is an off-route altitude that provides obstruction clearance with a 1,000-foot buffer in non-mountainous terrain areas, and a 2,000-foot buffer in designated mountainous areas. This altitude doesn’t guarantee signal coverage from ground-based NAVAIDs, ATC radar, or communications coverage.
3700
What are the different types of IFR departures?
- Diverse Departure
- Obstacle Departure Procedure
- Diverse Vector Area
- Specific ATC Instructions
- SID
- MAJCOM certified
- Special Departure Procedure
What do you do if your destination doesn’t have published instrument approaches?
- File to a point served by a published approach
- File to a nearby airfield with approaches with forecast VFR weather +/- 1 hr of arrival, get below IMC, and proceed VFR to your destination
Can you use an airfield without any published or compatible approaches as an alternate?
- Yes, but forecast weather at that airfield, ±1 hour of your ETA, must permit a VFR descent from the Minimum IFR Altitude to a VFR approach and landing
- Regular alternate requirements do not apply
An approach can bring you to the runway as much as _____ degrees off centerline and still be considered a straight-in approach
30 degrees
What is the standard direction for holding?
Right hand turn
What is the standard direction for holding?
Right hand turn
What must you do if you go half scale below or full scale above glideslope during an ILS?
You must adhere to the Localizer minimums, but if you can recapture the glideslope within the Localizer minimums, you may resume the ILS
What are the different types of ODPs?
- Non-standard takeoff minimums
- Specific Routing
- Visual Climb Over Airport
- Reduced takeoff runway length
- Any combination above
When can you legally descend below the MDA?
Sufficient visual references within the runway environment must be established and the aircraft is in a position to land safely
What must you do if you lose sight of the runway during a circling approach?
- Execute a climbing turn in the last known direction of the LANDING runway
- Intercept and fly the missed approach procedure for the APPROACH runway
What is a VDP, and how do you calculate one if it isn’t published?
- Visual Descent Point, it is the point during a non-precision approach when you can descend out of the MDA if the runway is in sight. The VDP normally allows for a 3 degree glideslope.
- Divide the Height Above Touchdown HAT by the (glideslope x 100)
What are the considerations for using a VOR for doing a groundspeed check?
- You must be proceeding directly to or directly from the station
- Your DME from the station must be greater than your altitude divided by 1,000 (ex. if you are at FL200, you must be more than 20 NM away)
- Groundspeed checks made below 5,000 AGL are accurate at any distance
What three pieces of info does a controller need to issue you in order to accomplish a circling approach?
- Direction from the airport (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW)
- Left/Right base/downwind
- Runway #
What do the letters X, Y, Z, following an approach title, mean on an approach plate?
More than one approach exists for the same runway using the same guidance equipment (ex. ILS Z RWY 28L)