Instrument Rating Checkride Oral Guide
Questions and Answers | Latest Update |
2024/2025 | Already Passed
What is the primary purpose of an instrument approach?
✔✔ To safely guide an aircraft to the runway in low visibility.
How often must you perform instrument flight proficiency checks to stay current?
✔✔ Every six months.
What is the required visibility for landing when using a Category I ILS approach?
✔✔ 200 feet decision height and half a mile visibility.
What is the purpose of alternate airport requirements?
✔✔ To ensure a safe landing location if weather conditions are below minimums at the
destination.
Why is a clearance void time important for IFR departures at non-towered airports?
✔✔ It allows safe coordination of traffic, clearing airspace for your departure.
1
,How is the missed approach procedure initiated?
✔✔ By reaching the decision altitude or marker without visual reference to the runway.
What does the term "MEA" stand for in instrument flying?
✔✔ Minimum Enroute Altitude.
Why is it important to understand aircraft category for instrument approaches?
✔✔ Each category has specific minimums that affect approach procedures and safety margins.
When flying IFR, what should be done if you lose communications with ATC?
✔✔ Follow lost comms procedures and fly last assigned route and altitude until contact is re-
established.
What is the purpose of an enroute holding fix?
✔✔ To safely delay aircraft while coordinating with air traffic control for further instructions.
What is the significance of the Final Approach Fix (FAF) in an instrument approach?
2
,✔✔ It marks the point where descent to minimums or runway should begin.
What is the function of an approach plate?
✔✔ To provide pilots with detailed instructions for completing an instrument approach.
What role does the glide slope play in an ILS approach?
✔✔ It provides vertical guidance to maintain a safe descent path toward the runway.
Why is the “Alternate Minimums” designation used on approach charts?
✔✔ To specify weather minimums required at alternate airports if the destination is below
approach minimums.
What should a pilot do upon reaching the missed approach point (MAP) without the runway in
sight?
✔✔ Initiate a missed approach procedure.
What is a “step-down fix” in an instrument approach?
✔✔ A point that allows safe descent to a lower altitude on the final approach segment.
3
, What is the significance of the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA)?
✔✔ It’s the lowest altitude a pilot can descend to on a non-precision approach without runway
visual reference.
What does the acronym RAIM stand for in GPS operations?
✔✔ Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring.
What is the purpose of an outer marker on an ILS approach?
✔✔ To indicate the beginning of the final approach segment.
Why is it essential to review approach procedures before entering the instrument approach
phase?
✔✔ To ensure that the pilot is familiar with all requirements, including altitudes, headings, and
missed approach instructions.
When can you log instrument flight time? (61.51)
A person may log instrument time only for that flight time when the person operates the aircraft
solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions
4
Questions and Answers | Latest Update |
2024/2025 | Already Passed
What is the primary purpose of an instrument approach?
✔✔ To safely guide an aircraft to the runway in low visibility.
How often must you perform instrument flight proficiency checks to stay current?
✔✔ Every six months.
What is the required visibility for landing when using a Category I ILS approach?
✔✔ 200 feet decision height and half a mile visibility.
What is the purpose of alternate airport requirements?
✔✔ To ensure a safe landing location if weather conditions are below minimums at the
destination.
Why is a clearance void time important for IFR departures at non-towered airports?
✔✔ It allows safe coordination of traffic, clearing airspace for your departure.
1
,How is the missed approach procedure initiated?
✔✔ By reaching the decision altitude or marker without visual reference to the runway.
What does the term "MEA" stand for in instrument flying?
✔✔ Minimum Enroute Altitude.
Why is it important to understand aircraft category for instrument approaches?
✔✔ Each category has specific minimums that affect approach procedures and safety margins.
When flying IFR, what should be done if you lose communications with ATC?
✔✔ Follow lost comms procedures and fly last assigned route and altitude until contact is re-
established.
What is the purpose of an enroute holding fix?
✔✔ To safely delay aircraft while coordinating with air traffic control for further instructions.
What is the significance of the Final Approach Fix (FAF) in an instrument approach?
2
,✔✔ It marks the point where descent to minimums or runway should begin.
What is the function of an approach plate?
✔✔ To provide pilots with detailed instructions for completing an instrument approach.
What role does the glide slope play in an ILS approach?
✔✔ It provides vertical guidance to maintain a safe descent path toward the runway.
Why is the “Alternate Minimums” designation used on approach charts?
✔✔ To specify weather minimums required at alternate airports if the destination is below
approach minimums.
What should a pilot do upon reaching the missed approach point (MAP) without the runway in
sight?
✔✔ Initiate a missed approach procedure.
What is a “step-down fix” in an instrument approach?
✔✔ A point that allows safe descent to a lower altitude on the final approach segment.
3
, What is the significance of the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA)?
✔✔ It’s the lowest altitude a pilot can descend to on a non-precision approach without runway
visual reference.
What does the acronym RAIM stand for in GPS operations?
✔✔ Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring.
What is the purpose of an outer marker on an ILS approach?
✔✔ To indicate the beginning of the final approach segment.
Why is it essential to review approach procedures before entering the instrument approach
phase?
✔✔ To ensure that the pilot is familiar with all requirements, including altitudes, headings, and
missed approach instructions.
When can you log instrument flight time? (61.51)
A person may log instrument time only for that flight time when the person operates the aircraft
solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions
4
