VMEDG 1593 FINAL EXAM PAPER 2026
COMPLETE EXAMINATION WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Why would pilot request a VFR-On-Top clearance?
Answer: If in VFR conditions, pilot may want to be able to choose
altitude based on reasons like turbulence, favorable winds aloft, etc.
Applies also to pilots desiring to climb through a cloud, haze, smoke,
or other meteorological formation and then either cancel IFR flight
plan or stay on VFR-On-Top Clearance, may request a climb to VFR-
On-Top
◉ Is VFR-On-Top clearance a VFR clearance or an IFR clearance?
Which airspace prohibits VFR-On-Top clearances?
Answer: Yes it is IFR clearance. Class A prohibits such clearances.
◉ What operational procedures must pilots on IFR flight plans
adhere to when operating VFR-On-Top?
Answer: a) Fly at appropriate altitude
b) Comply with the VFR visibility and distance from cloud criteria
c) Comply with IFR rules that are applicable to this flight; i.e.,
minimum IFR altitudes, position reporting, radio communications,
course to be flown, adherence to ATC clearance, etc
,◉ What is a "clearance limit" and when is it received?
Answer: Pilot is cleared to a fix within or just outside destination
airport area (not to the actual airport), and needs to wait until
receive a long-range clearance direct from center controller
◉ What information will ATC provide when they a request a hold at
a fix where the holding pattern is not charted?
Answer: a) Direction of holding from the fix (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, S,
NW)
b) Holding fix (may be omitted if previously transmitted in clearance
limit)
c) Radial, course, bearing, airway or route on which the aircraft is to
hold
d) Leg length in miles if DME or RNAV is to be used (specified in
minutes on pilot request or if controller considers it necessary)
e) Direction of turns if holding pattern is nonstandard (left turns
nonstandard)
f) Time to expect further clearance (EFC) and any pertinent
additional delay information.
◉ What are maximum airspeeds permitted for aircraft while
holding?
Answer: MHA - 6000 ft --> 200 KIAS
,6001 - 14000 ft --> 230 KIAS
14001 ft - and above --> 265 KIAS
Note: Holding patterns in middle range may be restricted to max
airspeed of 210 KIAS
◉ What is a nonstandard versus standard holding pattern? What are
leg lengths of standard holding pattern.
Answer: Nonstandard - turns to left
Standard - turns to right.
Standard leg lengths - 1 minute inbound at or below 14000 ft MSL;
1.5 min inbound above 14000 ft MSL
◉ Describe procedure for crosswind correction in holding pattern
Answer: Compensate for wind effects primarily by drift correction
on the inbound and outbound legs. When outbound, triple inbound
drift correction to avoid major turning adjustments.
◉ What action is appropriate when approaching a holding fix at an
airspeed in excess of maximum holding speed?
Answer: Start speed reduction within 3 min or less from fix. Speed
may be reduced earlier, but ATC must be advised of change.
◉ Why is it important for pilot to receive an EFC time with initial
holding instructions?
, Answer: If you lose two-way radio communication, EFC allows you
to depart holding fix at a definite time. Plan last lap of holding
pattern to leave fix as close as possible to exact time.
◉ Describe different recommended entry methods for holding
Answer: Parallel
Teardrop
Direct
◉ If assigned a DME/GPS hold, what procedures should be used?
Answer: Same entry and holding procedures, except that distances
(NM) are used in lieu of time values. Controller or IAP chart will
specify length of outbound leg.
◉ When does the timing for the outbound leg in a holding pattern
begin?
Answer: Begins over/abeam the fix, whichever occurs later. If abeam
position cannot be determined, start timing when turn to outbound
is completed.
◉ What regulations apply concerning supplemental oxygen?
Answer: a) 12,500 - 14,000 ft MSL: crew must use supplemental
oxygen after 30 minutes
COMPLETE EXAMINATION WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Why would pilot request a VFR-On-Top clearance?
Answer: If in VFR conditions, pilot may want to be able to choose
altitude based on reasons like turbulence, favorable winds aloft, etc.
Applies also to pilots desiring to climb through a cloud, haze, smoke,
or other meteorological formation and then either cancel IFR flight
plan or stay on VFR-On-Top Clearance, may request a climb to VFR-
On-Top
◉ Is VFR-On-Top clearance a VFR clearance or an IFR clearance?
Which airspace prohibits VFR-On-Top clearances?
Answer: Yes it is IFR clearance. Class A prohibits such clearances.
◉ What operational procedures must pilots on IFR flight plans
adhere to when operating VFR-On-Top?
Answer: a) Fly at appropriate altitude
b) Comply with the VFR visibility and distance from cloud criteria
c) Comply with IFR rules that are applicable to this flight; i.e.,
minimum IFR altitudes, position reporting, radio communications,
course to be flown, adherence to ATC clearance, etc
,◉ What is a "clearance limit" and when is it received?
Answer: Pilot is cleared to a fix within or just outside destination
airport area (not to the actual airport), and needs to wait until
receive a long-range clearance direct from center controller
◉ What information will ATC provide when they a request a hold at
a fix where the holding pattern is not charted?
Answer: a) Direction of holding from the fix (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, S,
NW)
b) Holding fix (may be omitted if previously transmitted in clearance
limit)
c) Radial, course, bearing, airway or route on which the aircraft is to
hold
d) Leg length in miles if DME or RNAV is to be used (specified in
minutes on pilot request or if controller considers it necessary)
e) Direction of turns if holding pattern is nonstandard (left turns
nonstandard)
f) Time to expect further clearance (EFC) and any pertinent
additional delay information.
◉ What are maximum airspeeds permitted for aircraft while
holding?
Answer: MHA - 6000 ft --> 200 KIAS
,6001 - 14000 ft --> 230 KIAS
14001 ft - and above --> 265 KIAS
Note: Holding patterns in middle range may be restricted to max
airspeed of 210 KIAS
◉ What is a nonstandard versus standard holding pattern? What are
leg lengths of standard holding pattern.
Answer: Nonstandard - turns to left
Standard - turns to right.
Standard leg lengths - 1 minute inbound at or below 14000 ft MSL;
1.5 min inbound above 14000 ft MSL
◉ Describe procedure for crosswind correction in holding pattern
Answer: Compensate for wind effects primarily by drift correction
on the inbound and outbound legs. When outbound, triple inbound
drift correction to avoid major turning adjustments.
◉ What action is appropriate when approaching a holding fix at an
airspeed in excess of maximum holding speed?
Answer: Start speed reduction within 3 min or less from fix. Speed
may be reduced earlier, but ATC must be advised of change.
◉ Why is it important for pilot to receive an EFC time with initial
holding instructions?
, Answer: If you lose two-way radio communication, EFC allows you
to depart holding fix at a definite time. Plan last lap of holding
pattern to leave fix as close as possible to exact time.
◉ Describe different recommended entry methods for holding
Answer: Parallel
Teardrop
Direct
◉ If assigned a DME/GPS hold, what procedures should be used?
Answer: Same entry and holding procedures, except that distances
(NM) are used in lieu of time values. Controller or IAP chart will
specify length of outbound leg.
◉ When does the timing for the outbound leg in a holding pattern
begin?
Answer: Begins over/abeam the fix, whichever occurs later. If abeam
position cannot be determined, start timing when turn to outbound
is completed.
◉ What regulations apply concerning supplemental oxygen?
Answer: a) 12,500 - 14,000 ft MSL: crew must use supplemental
oxygen after 30 minutes
