Instrument Checkride Study Notes

Instrument Checkride with Chris Williams

Pilot Training Overview

  • Question: What are you wanting to do with your pilot training?

  • Importance of familiarization with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) document.

  • Recommendation: Use any FAA-approved document for reference during training. Avoid using Google.

Instrument Rating Requirements

  • When is an instrument rating required?

  • How to stay current as an instrument pilot.

  • Scenario: If a pilot has 5 high instrument time sorties (HITS) in the last 6 months, what actions must they take?

    • Clarification required: Do you need to perform 6 HITS with a safety pilot or just one more?

  • Requirement for a safety pilot's qualification.

Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)

  • Definition of an IPC and instances when it is needed.

Preflight Information Necessities

  • Required preflight information before flying.

Aircraft Systems and Instruments

Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)

  • Description of AHRS and the instruments within it.

Air Data Computer (ADC)

  • Description of ADC and the instruments within it.

Logging Approaches

  • Requirements to log an approach successfully.

VOR Check Procedures

  • Preferred method of VOR check.

  • Description of VOR limitations.

IFR Flight Plan Filing

  • Steps on how to file an IFR flight plan, including timing and validity duration.

  • Explanation of "hold for release" and "EDCT" (Expected Departure Clearance Time).

Holding Speed Regulations

  • Maximum holding speed for altitudes below 6000 ft.

GPS and Related Technologies

  • Simplified explanation of:

    • GPS (Global Positioning System)

    • RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring)

    • WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System)

Precision Approaches

  • The only type of precision approach available in the local area.

Instrument Landing System (ILS) Components

  • Components comprising an ILS system.

  • Experience with flying over an outer marker and its implications on flight status.

ILS 32 for Smyrna Approach Brief

  • Question: What is the MALS (Minimum Required Approach Lights)?

  • Discussion on minimum descent requirements:

    • Clarification: Descend to TDZE (Touchdown Zone Elevation) + 100 ft instead of just stating 100 ft below minimums.

  • Explanation of the Maltese Cross and Lightning Bolt symbols.

  • Comparison of MSA (Minimum Safe Altitude) circle interpretations on approach plates.

  • Criteria for transitioning to a missed approach:

    • Looking for four specific factors.

Non-Precision Approaches

  • Conditions under which a pilot can descend below minimums during a non-precision approach.

  • Definition of VDP (Visual Descent Point) and its significance indicated on approach plates.

Fuel and Takeoff Regulations

  • Fuel requirements specified for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations.

  • Inquiry on takeoff minimums mandated for operations.

Weather Minimums for Approaches

Minimum Weather Conditions

  • Different weather minimums for non-precision versus precision approaches.

  • Handling discrepancies between listed weather minimums (e.g., 600/2 vs. 800/2) against published approaches.

  • Clarification on alternate takeoff minimums and their applicability.

  • Procedures for picking up IFR with a safety pilot under IMC conditions.

  • Alternate requirements when lacking WAAS capability.

Pilot Training Terminology

  • Definition: EFC (Expect Further Clearance) and its importance.

  • Identification of magnetic compass turning errors, particularly UNOS (Undershoot North, Overshoot South).

ATC and Departure Procedures

  • Description of STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) and its purpose.

  • Differentiation of two types of departure procedures and their implications:

    • Actions to take if ATC clearance contradicts the published ODP (Obstacle Departure Procedure).

Weather Advisory Terminologies

  • Definition of AIRMET (Airmen's Meteorological Information).

  • Differences between SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) and Convective SIGMET.

  • Explanation of TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast), including publication frequency and validity.

Fog and Icing Conditions

  • Conditions for fog formation, identifying the most common type in the region.

  • Recognition of required vigilance for icing in-flight, preventative measures, and types of icing (notably, which is most hazardous).

Airspace Awareness

  • Identification of Gallatin's airspace and transition conditions therein.

  • Low en route chart literacy:

    • Understanding MEA (Minimum Enroute Altitude), MOCA (Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude), and OROCA (Off Route Obstacle Clearance Altitude).

    • Differentiation between MEA and MOCA compliance capabilities in-flight.

    • Definition and purpose of T routes and the difference between Victor airways and Jet airways.

    • Identification and definition of MCA (Minimum Crossing Altitude) and MVA (Minimum Vectoring Altitude), noting MVA availability on separate charts for ATC use.

Flight Planning and Airborne Decision-Making

  • Scenario: Taking off VFR under cloud bases (3000 ft) and planning for descent into Asheville amidst poor weather.

  • Communication protocols for popping up IFR clearance when no legal flight transition exists to the required altitude (3,000 ft MVA).

  • Response plan for missed communications while airborne, including transponder use (7600 code) and demonstrating proficiency in MEA evaluation strategies.

Chart Evaluation and Safety Considerations

  • Route briefing from Gallatin to Asheville, evaluating a direct route's unreliability.

  • Chosen altitude consideration and implications of communication loss at 7,000 ft.

Terminal Procedures and Instrument Approaches

  • Weather assessment for Asheville and approach selection process involving instrument plate review.

  • Expectations upon breaking through cloud cover during terminal approach, focusing on light gun signals and their implications on landing decisions.

  • Decision-making process for missed approaches and the flight re-entry into IFR conditions without ATC comms.

Aircraft Technology and Safety Awareness

  • G1000 integration with iPads, including weather reception capabilities and importance of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast).

  • Evaluation of significant weather is unsafe to fly using a prognostic chart, explaining chart indices such as brown lines.

Weather Phenomena

  • Wind shear characteristics and likely occurrences on proposed prog charts.

System Awareness and PIREP Usage

  • Definition of FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control).

  • Purpose and usefulness of PIREPs (Pilot Reports).

Risk Management in Thunderstorms

  • Consideration of G1000 weather functionality during thunderstorm navigation and potential delays in weather updates.

Inner Ear Dynamics

  • Functionality and implications of the inner ear related to flight, detailing two common vestibular illusions experienced in aviation.

Visual Approaches and Autopilot Usage

  • Definition of a visual approach and ATC receipt of visual flight instructions.

  • Evaluation of weight and balance for planned flights.

  • Discussion on autopilot utilization and selection of a suitable approach for autopilot application.

Preflight and Flight Execution

  • Confirmation that the preflight inspection occurred prior to checkride commencement.

  • Instrument taxi check demonstration during the flight.

  • Run-up at a designated lateral position relative to Runway 17, confirming CRAFT (Clearance, Route, Altitude, Frequency, and Transponder) protocol.

  • ATC communication protocol adherence during flight maneuvers including heading assignments.

Flight Exercise Highlights

  • Altitude dynamics: Climb to 3,000 ft while maintaining manual control.

  • Simulation of unusual attitudes and associated training with foggles.

  • Focused navigation towards Shelbyville VOR, identifying radial alignment.

  • Autopilot implementation for RNAV 19 at Lebanon, including partial panel scenarios and dealing with unpublished missed operations.

  • Vectoring for RNAV 35 approach at Gallatin, executing missed approach protocol effectively.

  • Successful completion of LPV approach for Gallatin, maximizing autopilot usage down to minimum landing requirements.