IFR Flight Planning

IFR Flight Planning

  • Currency Requirements for Pilots
    • Pilots must verify instrument currency before deciding on an IFR flight.
    • Currency requires 6 instrument approaches in the preceding 6 calendar months, which include holding, intercepting, and tracking of navigational aids (navaids).
    • The logging of an instrument approach towards currency can take place when the pilot successfully executes the approach under actual or simulated conditions.

Aircraft Currency and Equipment

  • Regulations (91.205)
    • Pilots must ensure all VFR Day, Night, and IFR required equipment is present and functional before each flight.
    • It is the pilot-in-command's responsibility to verify required equipment.

Weather Products

  • Weather Information Sources
    • Mandatory that USAA pilots obtain weather briefings through:
    • 1-800-WX-BRIEF (.com)
      • Ideal for clarifications beyond online sources.
    • Types of weather data available:
      • AWC - Surface Analysis Charts
      • Significant Weather Prognostic Charts
      • Winds Aloft Forecasts
      • Radar Summary
      • GFA (Graphical Flight Analysis)
      • METAR/TAF (Meteorological Aerodrome Report / Terminal Aerodrome Forecast)

Pre-Flight Planning

  • Critical Pre-Flight Checks (91.103)
    • Importance of NOTAMs, weather, known ATC delays, runway lengths, alternates, fuel requirements, as well as takeoff and landing distances.

Chart Supplement

  • Provides essential data for:
    • VFR airport sketches
    • NAVAIDs (Navigational Aids)
    • Communication data
    • Weather data sources
    • Information on Airspace
    • Special Notices, Operational Procedures, and Hours of Operation
    • Types of Approaches available

Understanding NOTAMs

  • Types of NOTAMs:
    • FDC NOTAMs
    • D NOTAMs
    • GPS NOTAMs
    • NTAP (Notices to Airman Publication) includes D and FDC NOTAMs.

Interpreting NOTAMs

  • Example of NOTAM interpretation:
    • DTO 12/004 - RWY 17/35 specs, declared distances such as TORA (Take Off Run Available) and LDA (Landing Distance Available) are explicitly stated.

GPS/WAAS Checks

  • Essential to verify GPS and WAAS availability along the route, using Garmin devices for indicated capabilities.

Alternate Airport Selection

  • General Considerations:
    • Must consider situations where primary destination is unreachable due to weather or other issues.
    • An ILS approach is ideal.
    • Use weather briefings to guide alternate choice.
  • Filing an Alternate:
    • Apply the 1-2-3 rule:
    • Must have published Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP)
    • Standard alternate minimums:
      • 600-2 (precision)
      • 800-2 (non-precision)
  • Non-Standard Alternate Minimums:
    • Some airports require specific non-standard alternate weather minimums at ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival).

GPS Approach Considerations

  • The AIM 1-1-17 states RNAV (GPS) approaches cannot be used as an alternate unless equipped with WAAS and the plate doesn't state "A NA".
  • If non-WAAS GPS approaches are the only option, that airport cannot be designated as an alternate.

Flight Plans

  • Transition to ICAO Flight Plans - FAA's older systems are obsolete.
    • ICAO equipment codes such as:
    • C172M - Equipment - D,G,R,S
    • Surveillance - S, U2
    • Wake Category- L
    • PBN - A1,B2,B4,O2

Selecting Altitude

  • Factors to consider when selecting altitude:
    • Weather (winds, clouds, turbulence, etc.)
    • MEA (Minimum Enroute Altitude), MRA (Minimum Reception Altitude), MCA (Minimum Crossing Altitude), and MAA (Maximum Authorized Altitude)
    • OROCA considerations in mountainous and non-mountainous areas.
    • Aircraft capabilities and equipment available.
    • Altitude selection based on magnetic headings.

Supplemental Oxygen Requirements (91.211)

  • Altitude Requirements:
    • Above 12,500 feet MSL, required crew must use supplemental oxygen if exceeding 30 minutes.
    • Above 14,000 feet MSL, required crew must use oxygen for the entire flight duration.
    • Above 15,000 feet MSL, every occupant must be provided with supplemental oxygen.

Using the E6B for IFR Planning

  • When using IFR low enroute charts, convert magnetic headings to true headings by adjusting for wind.
    • Adjust using the GREEN isogonic line based on whether variation is easterly or westerly.

Filing and Planning with ForeFlight

  • Example of planning a flight from KDFW to KLAX includes:
    • Route 1: Filing departures, enroute along airways, arrivals, considering weather, winds, and fuel stops.
    • Route 2: Utilizing ForeFlight’s precleared routing options.

Clearance Procedures

  • Characteristics of clearance pickup:
    • C - Clearance limit
    • R - Route of flight
    • A - Altitude(s)
    • F - Departure frequency
    • T - Transponder code
  • Abbreviated clearances always include the destination airport.

Fuel Consumption Considerations

  • Essential to recalculate fuel requirements when receiving an amended clearance mid-flight.
    • Reference to E6B calculations can be found in ASA materials (example on page 7-20).