Instrument Oral Exam
Questions 2026 Exam All
Answers and Illustrations
Given
IFR Flight Time Requirements - ANSWER ✔✔a) 50 hours cross
country as PIC (at least 10 in airplanes)
b) 40 hours Instrument (actual or simulated)
c) 15 hours instrument dual training from CFI (in same type)
d) 3 hours instrument training within 60 days prior to test
,e) 250 NM cross-country conducted under IFR with 3 different types of
approaches
When is Instrument Rating required? - ANSWER ✔✔a) On IFR Flight
Plan
b) In Class A Airspace
c) In weather conditions less than VFR
d) Under special VFR within Class B, C, D, and E surface areas
between sunset and sunrise (night)
Recency-of-experience requirements for IFR - ANSWER ✔✔a) 6
instrument approaches, holding patterns, and intercepting/tracking of
courses using navigation aids within the preceding six months.
b) 3 take-offs and landings within preceding 90 days (full stop at night) to
carry passengers
c) Biennial flight review
If instrument currency expires, what can be done to become current
again? - ANSWER ✔✔Within six months of expiration, complete the
requirements (instrument approaches, holding patterns, and
intercepting/tracking courses) with a safety pilot in simulated IFR
,conditions only. After that, must get a check with an examiner, authorized
instructor, or FAA-approved person.
Requirements of safety pilot - ANSWER ✔✔a) Possess a current
medical certificate
b) Possess a private pilot's license with appropriate category/class
ratings
c) If flight is conducted on an IFR flight plan, safety pilot must have
instrument rating
Info a PIC must be familiar with before a flight - ANSWER ✔✔All
available information, including:
a) weather reports and forecasts
b) fuel requirements
c) alternatives if flight cannot be completed as planned
d) known ATC delays
e) runaway lengths of intended use
f) takeoff and landing distances
What are fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions? - ANSWER
✔✔With alternate airport: enough fuel to fly to intended airport (holding
3
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, pattern included), then to alternate, then for 45 minutes after at cruise
speed
Without alternate airport: enough to fly to destination airport and land
with 45 min fuel remaining
Before conducting IFR flight using GPS equipment for navigation, what
checks should be made? - ANSWER ✔✔a) verify that GPS
equipment is properly installed and certified for planned IFR
b) verify that database is current (not expired)
c) review the GPS NOTAM/RAIM information for planned route of flight
Aircraft instruments/equipment required for IFR flight - ANSWER
✔✔G - generator or alternator of sufficient capacity
R - radios for navigation
A - altimeter (sensitive)
B - ball (for turn coordination)
C - clock with sweep-second hand
A - attitude indicator
Questions 2026 Exam All
Answers and Illustrations
Given
IFR Flight Time Requirements - ANSWER ✔✔a) 50 hours cross
country as PIC (at least 10 in airplanes)
b) 40 hours Instrument (actual or simulated)
c) 15 hours instrument dual training from CFI (in same type)
d) 3 hours instrument training within 60 days prior to test
,e) 250 NM cross-country conducted under IFR with 3 different types of
approaches
When is Instrument Rating required? - ANSWER ✔✔a) On IFR Flight
Plan
b) In Class A Airspace
c) In weather conditions less than VFR
d) Under special VFR within Class B, C, D, and E surface areas
between sunset and sunrise (night)
Recency-of-experience requirements for IFR - ANSWER ✔✔a) 6
instrument approaches, holding patterns, and intercepting/tracking of
courses using navigation aids within the preceding six months.
b) 3 take-offs and landings within preceding 90 days (full stop at night) to
carry passengers
c) Biennial flight review
If instrument currency expires, what can be done to become current
again? - ANSWER ✔✔Within six months of expiration, complete the
requirements (instrument approaches, holding patterns, and
intercepting/tracking courses) with a safety pilot in simulated IFR
,conditions only. After that, must get a check with an examiner, authorized
instructor, or FAA-approved person.
Requirements of safety pilot - ANSWER ✔✔a) Possess a current
medical certificate
b) Possess a private pilot's license with appropriate category/class
ratings
c) If flight is conducted on an IFR flight plan, safety pilot must have
instrument rating
Info a PIC must be familiar with before a flight - ANSWER ✔✔All
available information, including:
a) weather reports and forecasts
b) fuel requirements
c) alternatives if flight cannot be completed as planned
d) known ATC delays
e) runaway lengths of intended use
f) takeoff and landing distances
What are fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions? - ANSWER
✔✔With alternate airport: enough fuel to fly to intended airport (holding
3
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, pattern included), then to alternate, then for 45 minutes after at cruise
speed
Without alternate airport: enough to fly to destination airport and land
with 45 min fuel remaining
Before conducting IFR flight using GPS equipment for navigation, what
checks should be made? - ANSWER ✔✔a) verify that GPS
equipment is properly installed and certified for planned IFR
b) verify that database is current (not expired)
c) review the GPS NOTAM/RAIM information for planned route of flight
Aircraft instruments/equipment required for IFR flight - ANSWER
✔✔G - generator or alternator of sufficient capacity
R - radios for navigation
A - altimeter (sensitive)
B - ball (for turn coordination)
C - clock with sweep-second hand
A - attitude indicator
