Instrument Rating

Question 1

What prerequisites must you have met to be eligible for the issue of an instrument rating?

Answer 1

• Hold category of licence appropriate, with night flying privileges;
• Acceptable flight time experience suitable to Mr Director
• Complete 5 ground courses successfully (law, Nav, met, human factors, instruments and Nav aids)
• Valid written exam credit for ground course
• Complete flight training course (10 hrs dual)
• Pass a flight test with an examiner

Question 2

What is the rule about getting Instrument Rating in twin and single engine aircraft?

Answer 2

If you get the rating in a single engine a/c you can only exercise it in a single engine a/c. If you get it in a twin and demonstrate abilities under asymmetric conditions you can fly both ME and SE

Question 3

If you get your rating on a VOR, does that mean you can uses any Nav aids? Why?

Answer 3

No, you must apply to have additional Nav aids added to your licence and pass a flight test demonstrating that you can do so

Question 4

What privileges can you exercise with an Instrument rating?

Answer 4

Act as PiC or Copilot under IFR of an appropriate aircraft

Question 5

What requirements are there to operate single pilot IFR?

Answer 5

The flight manual permits such an operation, and;

the aircraft is equipped with communication equipment that can be operated without taking your hand off the controls

Question 6

What fuel is required to be carried on an IFR flight that does not carry an alternate?

Answer 6

• Enough fuel to fly to the destination taking into account the weather reports and forecasts, and;
• Non turbine powered: enough fuel to fly overhead the aerodrome for 45 minutes at 1500ft AGL at holding speed
• Turbine Powered: enough fuel to fly overhead the aerodrome for 30 minutes at 1500ft AGL at holding speed

Question 7

What is the fuel requirement for an IFR flight that DOES carry an alternate?

Answer 7

• Enough fuel to fly to the destination AND to the Alternate Aerodrome taking into account the weather reports and forecasts, and;
• Non turbine powered: enough fuel to fly overhead the aerodrome for 45 minutes at 1500ft AGL at holding speed
• Turbine Powered: enough fuel to fly overhead the aerodrome for 30 minutes at 1500ft AGL at holding speed

Question 8

When is an alternate not required to be listed on an IFR flight plan?

Answer 8

-The destination has a published instrument approach procedure
-At the time of submitting, the met forecasts indicate that the conditions at the destination for 1 hour either side of the ETA will be;
=ceiling at least 1000ft above the published minima for the likely approach
=visibility is at least 5km or 2km above the published minima for the likely approach (the most restrictive)

Question 9

What is required for an aerodrome to be suitable to be an alternate?

Answer 9

-Met forecasts indicate that at the ETA conditions are better than the following;
=Those published in the applicable AIP (ENR 1.5)
=Precision approach: 600ft ceiling or 200ft above DA, vis is 3000m or 1000m above minima (most restrictive)
=Non precision: 800ft ceiling or 200m above MDA, vis is 4000m or 1500m more than the prescribed minima (most restrictive)
=If there is no published minima, then the requirements for VRF operation apply
-The aerodrome must have a backup power supply that powers the electronic ground nav aids for the intended procedure and lighting for night operations.

Question 10

What requirements must be met when submitting an IFR flight plan?

Answer 10

-Must be submitted no less than 30 minutes prior to departure
-Must be submitted to an appropriate ATS unit
-Must include the following;
=Callsign, type, wake turbulence category
=Comm and Nav equipment intended to be used
=Departure, destination, ETD, EET, alternate (if required)
=Cruise speed, altitude, route
=Fuel endurance
=POB, emergency equipment on board

Question 11

What things must a pilot do in flight and on the ground with respect to a flight plan? before, during and after flying?

Answer 11

• Notify an ATS unit as soon as possible of any delay likely to exceed 30 minutes
• Terminate the flight plan as soon as practical on completion of a flight to an unattended aerodrome

Question 12

How must a pilot adhere to the flight plan when in the air?

Answer 12

-Request clearance to make any changes, or if an emergency arises that requires deviation, notify ATC as soon as possible.
-Must follow the flight plan by;
=Flying along the centreline of the intended route
=Operating directly between the nav facilities or points defining the route (direct to)
=Operate along the centreline of the parallel offset route as defined by ATC

Question 13

When must you notify an ATS if you deviate from the flight plan?

Answer 13

• Any deviation from track
• Variation of TAS by +/- 5%, or 0.01 mach number
• When the ETA is found to be in error of more than 2 minutes

Question 14

What must a pilot do if they require an instrument approach to land?

Answer 14

-Follow a standard instrument approach procedure for that aerodrome from the AIP

Question 15

What MDA/DA/MDH/DH should be used if the pilot, aircraft and procedure have different minima?

Answer 15

The highest (most restrictive) of the pilot, aircraft or procedure minima

Question 16

What is required for flight below the MDA/DA?

Answer 16

• Aircraft is always in a position where it can make a normal landing on the touchdown zone, using normal rate of descent, making normal manoeuvres
• Visibility is not less than the published minima in the AIP
• Except for a Cat II or Cat III, at least one of the visual reference points is maintained

Question 17

What things are acceptable visual references to descend below the MDA/DA? (9)

Answer 17

Approach lighting
Threshold markings
Threshold lighting
REIL
PAPIs
Touchdown zone or markings
Touchdown zone lights
Runway or runway markings
Runway lights

Question 18

When must a miss approach procedure be commenced?

Answer 18

• Visual reference, visibility or stable approach conditions are not met at or below the MDA/ DA
• If a distinct part of the aerodrome is not visible during a circling approach, unless the loss of visual reference is due only to normal manoeuvres during the approach.

Question 19

What must a pilot do to keep an instrument rating current?

Answer 19

Within 12 moths prior:
-Demonstrate proficiency to a flight examiner, who will certify logbook
Within 3 months prior:
-3 hours instrument time (1 hour must be instrument flight time), and;
-Carry out 3 instrument approach procedures (1 may be in a synthetic trainer)
-Carry out 1 similar type of approach procedure (precision/ non precision)

• If in a 119, 121, 125, 135 IRF operation, if you meet those requirements you are all good to fly
• If non centreline thrust, flight test must be in that type of aircraft
• If not performing an AO, then the 3 monthly hours do not apply

Question 20

What 3 things must you have to exercise the privileges of an Instrument rating?

Answer 20

• Passed the flight test to the appropriate standard (single pilot/ non centreline thrust etc.)
• Logbook must be certified to show satisfactory competency on the type of approach aid/ system
• Class 1 medical or Class 2 medical with class 1 hearing endorsed.