Interview Prep Flashcards
What is a VDP (Visual Descent Point)?
a defined point on the final approach course of a non-precision straight-in approach procedure from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway touchdown point may be commenced.
How would you calculate your own VDP?
Take the MDA feet above TDZE and divide by 300–gives you miles to the threshold
What is the MSA on an approach chart?
Published for emergencies, altitudes that allow for 1000ft obstacle separation within 25NM
What are the max airspeeds in B Airspace?
Unrestricted above 10,000 MSL; 250 below; 200 beneath the shelf or in a VFR corridor
What are the FAR 91.117 max airspeeds?
Below 10,000MSL=250 KIAS
Below 2,500AGL + within 4NM of C or D airspace = 200 KIAS
Underlying B or VFR corridor=200 KIAS
What’s the maximum speed in a procedure turn? AIM 5-4-9
200 KIAS
What are vortex generators and where would you find them?
They create vortices to increase the boundary layer energy to delay separation; typically at the point of max camber on a wing
What does your departure brief consist of?
Identify pilot flying
Runway, length, winds
Type of takeoff and runway required
Rotation and climb speeds
pattern altitude or turnout
Clearance and climb gradients
Emergencies brief
Questions?
How long is a 1st class medical good for?
1 year below the age of 40. 6 months thereafter
Under part 135, what percentage of the runway does the planned landing need to be completed in?
60%
When will your altimeter read higher than you really are?
When it’s colder than standard.
When moving from high to low pressure. (High to low, look out below)
When station pressure is lower than 28” and the altimeter cannot be set lower.
When can you descent below DH or MDA?
- In a position to land (and for part 135, touchdown within the touchdown zone)
- The flight visibility not less than that prescribed
- At least one of the following:
a. ALS
b. threshold
c. Threshold markings
d. Threshold lights
e. RIEL
f. VGI
g. TDZ lights
h. TDZ markings
i. RWY markings
j. RWY lights
When do you need a T/O alternate?
When WX is below landing minimums at your departure
Convert feet/NM to a climb gradient
Rise/Run
Feet/Feet (6076)
200ft/NM = 200/6076 = 3.3%
Calculate FPM required from a given groundspeed and feet/NM (departure climb out)
(GS/60) x Climb Gradient
(180/60) x 200 = 600FPM
Calculate the slope of a runway
TDZE delta / distance
Calculate how early you need to descend given an altitude delta
Altitude to lose / 300
FL300 to 2,000 = -28,000
28,000 / 300 = 93 NM
Calculate the FPM required for descent planning (rule of thumb)
GS x 5
420 x 5 = 2100
This works perfectly with the altitude / 300 rule.
When do you need to file an alternate FAR 91 and 135?
FAR 91: 1,2,3 rule. 1 hour before and after the ETA, WX below 2,000AGL and 3SM.
FAR 135: if weather is worse than: 1,500 above lowest circling minima, or if none, 1,500 above lowest minima or 2,000 above elevation, whichever his higher; and 3SM, or 2SM more than the lowest minima, whichever is higher
What are the maximum holding airspeeds for all altitudes?
0-6000: 200 KIAS
6001-14000: 230 KIAS
> 14001: 265 KIAS
How long is a METAR Valid?
1 hour
How long is a 1st class medical good for?
6 Calendar months above 40. 1 year below
Which instruments are affected with a static port blockage?
Altimeter, VSI, Airspeed
Can a part 135 PAX bring and consume their own alcohol?
Part 135 states that the operator must serve it (if they don’t appear intoxicated)
When can you descend without an instrument approach?
I wouldn’t do it unless I could descend below the MEA and maintain VFR
What do you do if the visibility drops below mins on an ILS approach?
Outside the FAF = go missed, maintain track until the MAP.
Inside the FAF = continue
How many miles offshore can you fly without extended over water ops? Part 91 and 135
91.509: 50NM without a flotation device for each person.
Part 135 = ops spec
What is V2 speed?
Takeoff safety speed: an airspeed obtained after lift-off at which the required one-
engine-inoperative climb performance can be achieved
You’re lined up on the runway and can only see three stripes. What is the visibility?
600ft. Each stripe is 120ft with 80ft between
How do the FARs define night time?
Civil twilight end to civil twilight start as published in the air almanac.
Given the choice, would you takeoff from a high altitude airport, or a low airport with high DA?
High altitude - procedures are developed with this in mind
Given any SID, what’s the climb gradient?
It’s listed on the chart
