Instrument Oral Exam Questions with Verified
Answers Graded A+
IFR Flight Time Requirements - -a) 50
hours cross country as PIC (at least 10 in Requirements of safety pilot - -a) Possess
airplanes) a current medical certificate
b) 40 hours Instrument (actual or simulated) b) Possess a private pilot's license with
c) 15 hours instrument dual training from CFI (in appropriate category/class ratings
same type) c) If flight is conducted on an IFR flight plan,
d) 3 hours instrument training within 60 days safety pilot must have instrument rating
prior to test
e) 250 NM cross-country conducted under IFR
with 3 different types of approaches
Info a PIC must be familiar with before a flight -
-All available information, including:
a) weather reports and forecasts
When is Instrument Rating required? - -a) b) fuel requirements
On IFR Flight Plan c) alternatives if flight cannot be completed as
b) In Class A Airspace planned
c) In weather conditions less than VFR d) known ATC delays
d) Under special VFR within Class B, C, D, and E e) runaway lengths of intended use
surface areas between sunset and sunrise f) takeoff and landing distances
(night)
What are fuel requirements for flight in IFR
Recency-of-experience requirements for IFR - conditions? - -With alternate airport:
-a) 6 instrument approaches, holding enough fuel to fly to intended airport (holding
patterns, and intercepting/tracking of courses pattern included), then to alternate, then for 45
using navigation aids within the preceding six minutes after at cruise speed
months.
b) 3 take-offs and landings within preceding 90 Without alternate airport: enough to fly to
days (full stop at night) to carry passengers destination airport and land with 45 min fuel
c) Biennial flight review remaining
If instrument currency expires, what can be done Before conducting IFR flight using GPS
to become current again? - -Within six equipment for navigation, what checks should be
months of expiration, complete the requirements made? - -a) verify that GPS equipment is
(instrument approaches, holding patterns, and properly installed and certified for planned IFR
intercepting/tracking courses) with a safety pilot b) verify that database is current (not expired)
in simulated IFR conditions only. After that, must c) review the GPS NOTAM/RAIM information for
get a check with an examiner, authorized planned route of flight
instructor, or FAA-approved person.
, Instrument Oral Exam Questions with Verified
Answers Graded A+
Aircraft instruments/equipment required for IFR O - owner's manual or operating limitations
flight - -G - generator or alternator of W - weight and balance data
sufficient capacity
R - radios for navigation
A - altimeter (sensitive)
B - ball (for turn coordination) How often is GPS waypoint information updated?
- -Every 28 days, and maintained by
C - clock with sweep-second hand National Flight Data Center (NFDC)
A - attitude indicator
R - rate-of-turn coordinator
D - directional gyro
D - DME / RNAV (for flight at FL240 and above if When must pilot file an IFR flight plan? - -
VOR equipment necessary for planned route) Prior to departure from within or prior to entering
controlled airspace: submit flight plan and receive
clearance from ATC if weather conditions are
below VFR minimums. File 30 minutes prior to
Required tests/inspections of aircraft/equipment departure to preclude delay in receiving
for IFR flight - -A - annual departure clearance.
V - VOR (30 days)
1 - 100 hour
A - altimeter (24 months)
T - transponder (24 months) When can you cancel IFR flight plan? - -
E - ELT (12 months) Any time the flight is operated during VFR
conditions outside of Class A.
Pitot/static system (within past 24 months)
Be aware that other procedures may be
applicable in area, such as designated TRSA,
Class C, or Class B.
Portable electronic devices on aircraft - -
Not allowed, especially on commercial
operators/carriers or any aircraft operated IFR.
What type of aircraft equipment determines your
Exceptions: portable voice recorders, hearing "special equipment" suffix when filing IFR? -
aids, heart pacemakers, electric shavers, or any -a) radar beacon transponder
other portable electronic devices that will not b) DME equipment
cause interference with NAV/COM. c) TACAN-only equipment
d) Area Navigation equipment (RNAV) - LORAN,
INS
e) Advanced Area Navigation equipment - Global
Documents on board to be legal for IFR - - Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation
A - airworthiness certificate Satellite System (GNSS)
R - registration certificate f) Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)
R - radio station license (if international authorization
operations)
, Instrument Oral Exam Questions with Verified
Answers Graded A+
What are Enroute High-Altitude Charts? - -
Block 7 of flight plan - altitude specified? - - Provide information for navigation above 18,000
Initial altitude, make subsequent requests to feet MSL. Four-color chart series includes jet
controller when in air route structure; VHF NAVAIDs with frequency,
identification, channel, geographic coordinates;
selected airports; reporting points. Revised every
56 days.
***Alternate Airport Requirements*** - -1-2-
3 rule: Alternate required if from 1 hour before to
1 hour after forecast arrival at destination airport
has 2000 foot ceilings and less than 3 SM What are "area charts"? - -Area charts
visibility. Alternate requirements: show congested terminal areas such as
a) If IAP is published for alternate, use those Dallas/FW or Atlanta at a large scale. They are
minimums, otherwise 600-2 (600 foot ceilings, 2 included with subscriptions to any conterminous
SM visibility) for Precision Approach, and 800-2 US set Low (Full set, East or West sets). Revised
for Nonprecision Approach every 56 days.
b) If no IAP has been published, ceiling and
visibility minimums are those required for
descent from MEA, approach, and land under
basic VFR Where can information on possible navigational
aid limitations be found? - -NOTAMs as
well as A/FDs will contain current limitations
Define "ceiling" - -Height above Earth's
surface (AGL) of lowest cloud layer defined as
obscured, broken, overcast, but not thin or What are the required reports for equipment
partial. malfunction under IFR-controller airspace? -
-a) Failure of VOR, TACAN, ADF, or low
frequency navigation receiver capability
b) GPS anomalies while using IFR-certified
What are preferred routes, and where can they GPS/GNSS receivers
be found? - -Routes in high traffic areas c) Complete or partial loss of ILS receiver
that ATC designates to- and from- busy airports. capability
Found in A/FD d) Impairment of air/ground communication
capability
e) Loss of any other equipment installed in the
aircraft which may impair safety and/or the ability
What are Enroute Low-Altitude Charts? - - to operate in IFR
Provide aeronautical information for navigation
under IFR conditions below 18,000 feet MSL
(under Class A). Revised every 56 days.
How can IFR clearance be obtained? - -a)
At airport with ATC tower in operation, clearance
, Instrument Oral Exam Questions with Verified
Answers Graded A+
may be received from ground control or specific
clearance delivery frequency What does "hold for release" mean when
b) At airports without a tower or FSS on field, or included in IFR clearance? - -Delays the
in outlying area: aircraft's departure for traffic management
- Clearance may be received over radio through reasons. May not depart under IFR clearance
remote communication outlet (RCO) or over until a release time or additional instructions are
telephone provided by ATC
- Clearance delivery frequency is available that is
usable at airports within specific area, say Class
B airspace
- If above not available, clearance can be Minimums necessary for IFR takeoff under 14
received from ARTCC once airborne as long as CFR Part 91? Under Parts 121, 125, 129, or
you stay in Class E airspace VFR 135? - -Part 91: None
Ask the nearest FSS for appropriate means. Other Parts (assuming Takeoff Minimums not
prescribed for that airport under Part 97): 1 SM
visibility for aircraft with 2 engines or less, 1/2 SM
for aircraft with 3 or more engines
What does "cleared as filed" mean? - -ATC
will issue abbreviated this statement of IFR
clearance based on route of flight as filed in the
IFR flight plan What is "good operating practice" in determining
takeoff minimums for IFR flight? - -Use the
minima in the Instrument Approach Procedure for
that airport. If none available, use basic VFR
Which clearance items are given in an minimums (1000 feet ceilings, 3 miles)
abbreviated IFR clearance? - -C -
Clearance Limit (destination airport or fix)
R - Route (initial heading)
A - Altitude (initial altitude) What are DPs and why are they necessary? -
F - frequency (departure) -Departure Procedures (DPs) are
T - transponder (squawk code) preplanned IFR procedures that provide
Note: ATC procedures require controller to state obstruction clearances from runway to enroute
the Departure Procedure (DP) within Route info if airway. Provides obstacle clearance protection
applicable as well and, at busier airports, increases efficiency by
reducing communication and departure delays.
Pilots under Part 91 are strongly encouraged to
file and fly a DP at night, during marginal VMC
What does "clearance void time" mean? - - and IMC, when one is available.
When operating from non-towered field, this is
the time after which the IFR clearance is voided
and pilot must report intentions to ATC (within 30
minutes) What are two types of DPs? - -a) Obstacle
Departure Procedures (ODPs) -
textually/graphically,
Answers Graded A+
IFR Flight Time Requirements - -a) 50
hours cross country as PIC (at least 10 in Requirements of safety pilot - -a) Possess
airplanes) a current medical certificate
b) 40 hours Instrument (actual or simulated) b) Possess a private pilot's license with
c) 15 hours instrument dual training from CFI (in appropriate category/class ratings
same type) c) If flight is conducted on an IFR flight plan,
d) 3 hours instrument training within 60 days safety pilot must have instrument rating
prior to test
e) 250 NM cross-country conducted under IFR
with 3 different types of approaches
Info a PIC must be familiar with before a flight -
-All available information, including:
a) weather reports and forecasts
When is Instrument Rating required? - -a) b) fuel requirements
On IFR Flight Plan c) alternatives if flight cannot be completed as
b) In Class A Airspace planned
c) In weather conditions less than VFR d) known ATC delays
d) Under special VFR within Class B, C, D, and E e) runaway lengths of intended use
surface areas between sunset and sunrise f) takeoff and landing distances
(night)
What are fuel requirements for flight in IFR
Recency-of-experience requirements for IFR - conditions? - -With alternate airport:
-a) 6 instrument approaches, holding enough fuel to fly to intended airport (holding
patterns, and intercepting/tracking of courses pattern included), then to alternate, then for 45
using navigation aids within the preceding six minutes after at cruise speed
months.
b) 3 take-offs and landings within preceding 90 Without alternate airport: enough to fly to
days (full stop at night) to carry passengers destination airport and land with 45 min fuel
c) Biennial flight review remaining
If instrument currency expires, what can be done Before conducting IFR flight using GPS
to become current again? - -Within six equipment for navigation, what checks should be
months of expiration, complete the requirements made? - -a) verify that GPS equipment is
(instrument approaches, holding patterns, and properly installed and certified for planned IFR
intercepting/tracking courses) with a safety pilot b) verify that database is current (not expired)
in simulated IFR conditions only. After that, must c) review the GPS NOTAM/RAIM information for
get a check with an examiner, authorized planned route of flight
instructor, or FAA-approved person.
, Instrument Oral Exam Questions with Verified
Answers Graded A+
Aircraft instruments/equipment required for IFR O - owner's manual or operating limitations
flight - -G - generator or alternator of W - weight and balance data
sufficient capacity
R - radios for navigation
A - altimeter (sensitive)
B - ball (for turn coordination) How often is GPS waypoint information updated?
- -Every 28 days, and maintained by
C - clock with sweep-second hand National Flight Data Center (NFDC)
A - attitude indicator
R - rate-of-turn coordinator
D - directional gyro
D - DME / RNAV (for flight at FL240 and above if When must pilot file an IFR flight plan? - -
VOR equipment necessary for planned route) Prior to departure from within or prior to entering
controlled airspace: submit flight plan and receive
clearance from ATC if weather conditions are
below VFR minimums. File 30 minutes prior to
Required tests/inspections of aircraft/equipment departure to preclude delay in receiving
for IFR flight - -A - annual departure clearance.
V - VOR (30 days)
1 - 100 hour
A - altimeter (24 months)
T - transponder (24 months) When can you cancel IFR flight plan? - -
E - ELT (12 months) Any time the flight is operated during VFR
conditions outside of Class A.
Pitot/static system (within past 24 months)
Be aware that other procedures may be
applicable in area, such as designated TRSA,
Class C, or Class B.
Portable electronic devices on aircraft - -
Not allowed, especially on commercial
operators/carriers or any aircraft operated IFR.
What type of aircraft equipment determines your
Exceptions: portable voice recorders, hearing "special equipment" suffix when filing IFR? -
aids, heart pacemakers, electric shavers, or any -a) radar beacon transponder
other portable electronic devices that will not b) DME equipment
cause interference with NAV/COM. c) TACAN-only equipment
d) Area Navigation equipment (RNAV) - LORAN,
INS
e) Advanced Area Navigation equipment - Global
Documents on board to be legal for IFR - - Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation
A - airworthiness certificate Satellite System (GNSS)
R - registration certificate f) Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)
R - radio station license (if international authorization
operations)
, Instrument Oral Exam Questions with Verified
Answers Graded A+
What are Enroute High-Altitude Charts? - -
Block 7 of flight plan - altitude specified? - - Provide information for navigation above 18,000
Initial altitude, make subsequent requests to feet MSL. Four-color chart series includes jet
controller when in air route structure; VHF NAVAIDs with frequency,
identification, channel, geographic coordinates;
selected airports; reporting points. Revised every
56 days.
***Alternate Airport Requirements*** - -1-2-
3 rule: Alternate required if from 1 hour before to
1 hour after forecast arrival at destination airport
has 2000 foot ceilings and less than 3 SM What are "area charts"? - -Area charts
visibility. Alternate requirements: show congested terminal areas such as
a) If IAP is published for alternate, use those Dallas/FW or Atlanta at a large scale. They are
minimums, otherwise 600-2 (600 foot ceilings, 2 included with subscriptions to any conterminous
SM visibility) for Precision Approach, and 800-2 US set Low (Full set, East or West sets). Revised
for Nonprecision Approach every 56 days.
b) If no IAP has been published, ceiling and
visibility minimums are those required for
descent from MEA, approach, and land under
basic VFR Where can information on possible navigational
aid limitations be found? - -NOTAMs as
well as A/FDs will contain current limitations
Define "ceiling" - -Height above Earth's
surface (AGL) of lowest cloud layer defined as
obscured, broken, overcast, but not thin or What are the required reports for equipment
partial. malfunction under IFR-controller airspace? -
-a) Failure of VOR, TACAN, ADF, or low
frequency navigation receiver capability
b) GPS anomalies while using IFR-certified
What are preferred routes, and where can they GPS/GNSS receivers
be found? - -Routes in high traffic areas c) Complete or partial loss of ILS receiver
that ATC designates to- and from- busy airports. capability
Found in A/FD d) Impairment of air/ground communication
capability
e) Loss of any other equipment installed in the
aircraft which may impair safety and/or the ability
What are Enroute Low-Altitude Charts? - - to operate in IFR
Provide aeronautical information for navigation
under IFR conditions below 18,000 feet MSL
(under Class A). Revised every 56 days.
How can IFR clearance be obtained? - -a)
At airport with ATC tower in operation, clearance
, Instrument Oral Exam Questions with Verified
Answers Graded A+
may be received from ground control or specific
clearance delivery frequency What does "hold for release" mean when
b) At airports without a tower or FSS on field, or included in IFR clearance? - -Delays the
in outlying area: aircraft's departure for traffic management
- Clearance may be received over radio through reasons. May not depart under IFR clearance
remote communication outlet (RCO) or over until a release time or additional instructions are
telephone provided by ATC
- Clearance delivery frequency is available that is
usable at airports within specific area, say Class
B airspace
- If above not available, clearance can be Minimums necessary for IFR takeoff under 14
received from ARTCC once airborne as long as CFR Part 91? Under Parts 121, 125, 129, or
you stay in Class E airspace VFR 135? - -Part 91: None
Ask the nearest FSS for appropriate means. Other Parts (assuming Takeoff Minimums not
prescribed for that airport under Part 97): 1 SM
visibility for aircraft with 2 engines or less, 1/2 SM
for aircraft with 3 or more engines
What does "cleared as filed" mean? - -ATC
will issue abbreviated this statement of IFR
clearance based on route of flight as filed in the
IFR flight plan What is "good operating practice" in determining
takeoff minimums for IFR flight? - -Use the
minima in the Instrument Approach Procedure for
that airport. If none available, use basic VFR
Which clearance items are given in an minimums (1000 feet ceilings, 3 miles)
abbreviated IFR clearance? - -C -
Clearance Limit (destination airport or fix)
R - Route (initial heading)
A - Altitude (initial altitude) What are DPs and why are they necessary? -
F - frequency (departure) -Departure Procedures (DPs) are
T - transponder (squawk code) preplanned IFR procedures that provide
Note: ATC procedures require controller to state obstruction clearances from runway to enroute
the Departure Procedure (DP) within Route info if airway. Provides obstacle clearance protection
applicable as well and, at busier airports, increases efficiency by
reducing communication and departure delays.
Pilots under Part 91 are strongly encouraged to
file and fly a DP at night, during marginal VMC
What does "clearance void time" mean? - - and IMC, when one is available.
When operating from non-towered field, this is
the time after which the IFR clearance is voided
and pilot must report intentions to ATC (within 30
minutes) What are two types of DPs? - -a) Obstacle
Departure Procedures (ODPs) -
textually/graphically,
