IRA Exam Questions and Answers
3 purposes of STARs - Answer-Simplified clearance delivery
En-route - IAP
Standardizes arrivals to busy terminal areas
Must you accept a STAR? If you do, what must the pilot have? - Answer-No, but if you do, you must
have either text or chart. For RNAV stars, must be retrievable in the GPS database. No STAR in remarks
preferred if you don't want to fly one.
What does RNAV 1 mean? - Answer-Must fly within 1 NM of route, using lateral deviation needle, 95%
of the route.
Describe the clearance requirements of the following STAR components:
Airspeed restrictions
Altitude restrictions
Descend Via - Answer-Airspeed - all required when flying a STAR
Altitude - STAR is lateral route only, unless 'Descend Via' clearance received. Maintain last assaigned
altitude.
Naming convention of STAR and transitions? (3) - Answer-Named for common NAVAID
(Trans.STAR)
,Numbered as updated.
What are TAA? What is guaranteed? - Answer-Terminal Arrival Areas provide a transition from en route
to terminal environment with little required pilot/controller interface for RNAV equipped aircraft.
Standard obstacle clearance and reception.
Usually just on RNAV IAP, but can also be found on ILS if RNAV is used for transitioning to IF.
Describe the basic TAA design - Answer-Basic T - straight in, left base, right base
2 IAF, plus one central IF/IAF
HILO used for course reversal at IAF/IF.
How to determine which TAA sector to use? - Answer-Bearing TO the IF/IAF
When can a pilot descend to the minimum TAA sector altitude. - Answer-Once cleared for the approach.
When not to do course reversal on RNAV approach? - Answer-NoPT route or sector
Radar Vectors
Cleared Straight In
Define Initial Approach Segment - Answer-Between IAF and IF. Used for course reversal, altitude loss
and alignment with Initial or final segments. Could be a terminal route.
Define Intermediate Approach Segment - Answer-Between IF and FAF. Aircraft aligned within 30
degrees of the final approach course.
Define Final Approach Segment - Answer-Between FAF ad MAP. Descent begins/Glide Slope Intercept.
Precision - at minimum Glide Slope Intercept, or other ATC assigned altitude.
,Non-Precision - at FAF, or when aligned. (VOR)
Where are the MAP? - Answer-Precision - at DA
Non Precision - at MAP, NAVAID or Time
RNAV - MAWP
Standard IFR separation minimums - Answer-Same altitude - 3 miles within 40 miles, 5 if more from
radar antennae site.
Terminal Route - Answer-When IAF is part of the en route structure.
What is a Feeder Route - Answer-Transition from En Route to IAF. Part of approach when cleared while
on one or before.
Wx minimums for Visual Approach - Answer-Airport or preceding aircraft
1000/3 at airport
Clear of Clouds
IFR procedure
Procedure turn limitations - Answer-Correct side
Max 200 KIAS
Minimum altitude
Specified distance (usually 10 miles).
Procedure Turn required unless: - Answer-Radar Vectors to Final
Cleared Straight In
, NoPT
Timed Approach
No barb depicted
PT minimum altitude required until/ authorized when - Answer-Established inbound.
Crossing the PT fix outbound. Maintain last assigned or charted PT fix altitude until crossing fix
outbound.
Requirements for Contact approach - Answer-Requested by pilot
One mile/clear of clouds and reasonable expectation
One mile at airport
IFR procedure
HILO location and restrictions - Answer-At IF/IAF
One minute or specified distance
Required if depicted.
Course Reversal not required when: - Answer-Straight in Cleared
Radar Vectors
NoPT or Barb/HILO/TD/ARC
Timed Approach
Kinds of Course Reversal - Answer-PT
Arc
Teardrop
HILO
3 purposes of STARs - Answer-Simplified clearance delivery
En-route - IAP
Standardizes arrivals to busy terminal areas
Must you accept a STAR? If you do, what must the pilot have? - Answer-No, but if you do, you must
have either text or chart. For RNAV stars, must be retrievable in the GPS database. No STAR in remarks
preferred if you don't want to fly one.
What does RNAV 1 mean? - Answer-Must fly within 1 NM of route, using lateral deviation needle, 95%
of the route.
Describe the clearance requirements of the following STAR components:
Airspeed restrictions
Altitude restrictions
Descend Via - Answer-Airspeed - all required when flying a STAR
Altitude - STAR is lateral route only, unless 'Descend Via' clearance received. Maintain last assaigned
altitude.
Naming convention of STAR and transitions? (3) - Answer-Named for common NAVAID
(Trans.STAR)
,Numbered as updated.
What are TAA? What is guaranteed? - Answer-Terminal Arrival Areas provide a transition from en route
to terminal environment with little required pilot/controller interface for RNAV equipped aircraft.
Standard obstacle clearance and reception.
Usually just on RNAV IAP, but can also be found on ILS if RNAV is used for transitioning to IF.
Describe the basic TAA design - Answer-Basic T - straight in, left base, right base
2 IAF, plus one central IF/IAF
HILO used for course reversal at IAF/IF.
How to determine which TAA sector to use? - Answer-Bearing TO the IF/IAF
When can a pilot descend to the minimum TAA sector altitude. - Answer-Once cleared for the approach.
When not to do course reversal on RNAV approach? - Answer-NoPT route or sector
Radar Vectors
Cleared Straight In
Define Initial Approach Segment - Answer-Between IAF and IF. Used for course reversal, altitude loss
and alignment with Initial or final segments. Could be a terminal route.
Define Intermediate Approach Segment - Answer-Between IF and FAF. Aircraft aligned within 30
degrees of the final approach course.
Define Final Approach Segment - Answer-Between FAF ad MAP. Descent begins/Glide Slope Intercept.
Precision - at minimum Glide Slope Intercept, or other ATC assigned altitude.
,Non-Precision - at FAF, or when aligned. (VOR)
Where are the MAP? - Answer-Precision - at DA
Non Precision - at MAP, NAVAID or Time
RNAV - MAWP
Standard IFR separation minimums - Answer-Same altitude - 3 miles within 40 miles, 5 if more from
radar antennae site.
Terminal Route - Answer-When IAF is part of the en route structure.
What is a Feeder Route - Answer-Transition from En Route to IAF. Part of approach when cleared while
on one or before.
Wx minimums for Visual Approach - Answer-Airport or preceding aircraft
1000/3 at airport
Clear of Clouds
IFR procedure
Procedure turn limitations - Answer-Correct side
Max 200 KIAS
Minimum altitude
Specified distance (usually 10 miles).
Procedure Turn required unless: - Answer-Radar Vectors to Final
Cleared Straight In
, NoPT
Timed Approach
No barb depicted
PT minimum altitude required until/ authorized when - Answer-Established inbound.
Crossing the PT fix outbound. Maintain last assigned or charted PT fix altitude until crossing fix
outbound.
Requirements for Contact approach - Answer-Requested by pilot
One mile/clear of clouds and reasonable expectation
One mile at airport
IFR procedure
HILO location and restrictions - Answer-At IF/IAF
One minute or specified distance
Required if depicted.
Course Reversal not required when: - Answer-Straight in Cleared
Radar Vectors
NoPT or Barb/HILO/TD/ARC
Timed Approach
Kinds of Course Reversal - Answer-PT
Arc
Teardrop
HILO
