INSTRUMENT ORAL COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔VDP - ✔✔Visual Descent Point - defined point on final approach course of a
nonprecision straight-in approach procedure from which normal descent from MDA to
runway touchdown point may be commenced (provided runway or approach lights are
identifiable). If not equipped to receive VDP (e.g. DME), proceed as though not VDP
provided. Approach charts identify VDP with profile view by "V".
✔✔VDA - ✔✔Vertical Descent Angle - nonprecision approach feature describes
computed path from FAF and altitude to runway threshold at published Threshold
Crossing Height (TCH). Optimum is 3.00 degrees. Provides means for pilot to establish
stabilized descent from FAF or stepdown fix to TCH.
✔✔Will SIAPs always have a final approach fix (FAF)? - ✔✔No, when a FAF is not
designated (e.g. on-airport VOR or NDB), a final approach point is designated and is
typically where procedure turn intersects final approach course inbound
✔✔What conditions are required for instrument approach procedure to have "straight-in"
minimums published? - ✔✔Final approach course needs to be within 30 degrees of
runway alignment (15 deg for GPS IAPs) and a normal descent can be made from IFR
altitude shown on IAP to runway surface.
✔✔Stepdown fix - ✔✔Permits additional descent within a segment of an IAP by
identifying a point at which a controlling obstacle has been safely overflown
✔✔VASI - ✔✔Visual Approach Slope Indicator, provides a 3 deg visual glide path; safe
obstruction clearance within +/- 10 degrees of runway centerline up to 4 NM from
threshold
✔✔Major differences between SDF and LDA approaches? - ✔✔SDF - Simplified
Directional Facility; may or may not be aligned with runway; signal emitted fixed at
, either 6 or 12 deg; usable off-course indications limited to 35 deg each side of course
centerline
LDA - Localizer-Type Directional Aid; compares in accuracy to localizer, but not part of
complete ILS. LDA course width is 3 or 6 degrees; some LDAs have Glide Slope;
course not aligned with runway, but straight-ins when course within 30 degrees of
runway; circling minimums published if greater than 30 degrees
✔✔What criteria determines whether or not you may attempt an approU - ✔✔Under 14
CFR Part 91, no regulation prohibits the attempt of an approach. However, upon
reaching MDA (nonprecision) or DH (precision) need to have minimum flight visibility as
published
✔✔What regulations require use of specified procedures by all pilots approaching under
IFR - ✔✔14 CFR Part 97
✔✔What are several types of GPS approach procedures? - ✔✔a) GPS overlay of pre-
existing nonprecision approaches
b) VOR/DME based RNAV approaches
c) Stand-alone RNAV (GPS) approaches
d) RNAV (GPS) approaches with vertical guidance (APV)
e) RNAV (GPS) precision approaches (WAAS and LAAS)
✔✔What is the GPS overlay program? - ✔✔GPS Approach Overlay Program is
authorization for pilots to use GPS avionic under IFR for flying designated NPAs, except
LOC, LDA and SDF.
✔✔What is a GPS stand-alone approach? - ✔✔Consists of a sequence of waypoints
defining the point-to-point track to be flown, including the initial approach, intermediate,
final approach, missed approach, missed approach turning, and missed approach
holding waypoints. All except missed approach at runway threshold are labeled with
five-letter alpha character name.
✔✔What is a TAA with regard to GPS approaches? - ✔✔Terminal Arrival Area provides
a NoPT for aircraft using approach (transition from enroute to approach) and has three
standard area: straight-in, left base, and right base. (The T on the GPS approach)
✔✔When flying a GPS approach, is it necessary to monitor ground-based NAVAIDs as
a backup to the GPS equipment? - ✔✔No, those avionics for other ground-based
NAVAIDs are not required to be installed, operational, turned on or monitored.
✔✔When can RNAV equipment be used as a substitute means of navigation guidance?
(AIM 1-2-3) - ✔✔a) Determine aircraft position over or distance from a VOR, TACAN,
NDB, compass locator, DME fix; or a named fix defined by a VOR radial, TACAN
AND ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔VDP - ✔✔Visual Descent Point - defined point on final approach course of a
nonprecision straight-in approach procedure from which normal descent from MDA to
runway touchdown point may be commenced (provided runway or approach lights are
identifiable). If not equipped to receive VDP (e.g. DME), proceed as though not VDP
provided. Approach charts identify VDP with profile view by "V".
✔✔VDA - ✔✔Vertical Descent Angle - nonprecision approach feature describes
computed path from FAF and altitude to runway threshold at published Threshold
Crossing Height (TCH). Optimum is 3.00 degrees. Provides means for pilot to establish
stabilized descent from FAF or stepdown fix to TCH.
✔✔Will SIAPs always have a final approach fix (FAF)? - ✔✔No, when a FAF is not
designated (e.g. on-airport VOR or NDB), a final approach point is designated and is
typically where procedure turn intersects final approach course inbound
✔✔What conditions are required for instrument approach procedure to have "straight-in"
minimums published? - ✔✔Final approach course needs to be within 30 degrees of
runway alignment (15 deg for GPS IAPs) and a normal descent can be made from IFR
altitude shown on IAP to runway surface.
✔✔Stepdown fix - ✔✔Permits additional descent within a segment of an IAP by
identifying a point at which a controlling obstacle has been safely overflown
✔✔VASI - ✔✔Visual Approach Slope Indicator, provides a 3 deg visual glide path; safe
obstruction clearance within +/- 10 degrees of runway centerline up to 4 NM from
threshold
✔✔Major differences between SDF and LDA approaches? - ✔✔SDF - Simplified
Directional Facility; may or may not be aligned with runway; signal emitted fixed at
, either 6 or 12 deg; usable off-course indications limited to 35 deg each side of course
centerline
LDA - Localizer-Type Directional Aid; compares in accuracy to localizer, but not part of
complete ILS. LDA course width is 3 or 6 degrees; some LDAs have Glide Slope;
course not aligned with runway, but straight-ins when course within 30 degrees of
runway; circling minimums published if greater than 30 degrees
✔✔What criteria determines whether or not you may attempt an approU - ✔✔Under 14
CFR Part 91, no regulation prohibits the attempt of an approach. However, upon
reaching MDA (nonprecision) or DH (precision) need to have minimum flight visibility as
published
✔✔What regulations require use of specified procedures by all pilots approaching under
IFR - ✔✔14 CFR Part 97
✔✔What are several types of GPS approach procedures? - ✔✔a) GPS overlay of pre-
existing nonprecision approaches
b) VOR/DME based RNAV approaches
c) Stand-alone RNAV (GPS) approaches
d) RNAV (GPS) approaches with vertical guidance (APV)
e) RNAV (GPS) precision approaches (WAAS and LAAS)
✔✔What is the GPS overlay program? - ✔✔GPS Approach Overlay Program is
authorization for pilots to use GPS avionic under IFR for flying designated NPAs, except
LOC, LDA and SDF.
✔✔What is a GPS stand-alone approach? - ✔✔Consists of a sequence of waypoints
defining the point-to-point track to be flown, including the initial approach, intermediate,
final approach, missed approach, missed approach turning, and missed approach
holding waypoints. All except missed approach at runway threshold are labeled with
five-letter alpha character name.
✔✔What is a TAA with regard to GPS approaches? - ✔✔Terminal Arrival Area provides
a NoPT for aircraft using approach (transition from enroute to approach) and has three
standard area: straight-in, left base, and right base. (The T on the GPS approach)
✔✔When flying a GPS approach, is it necessary to monitor ground-based NAVAIDs as
a backup to the GPS equipment? - ✔✔No, those avionics for other ground-based
NAVAIDs are not required to be installed, operational, turned on or monitored.
✔✔When can RNAV equipment be used as a substitute means of navigation guidance?
(AIM 1-2-3) - ✔✔a) Determine aircraft position over or distance from a VOR, TACAN,
NDB, compass locator, DME fix; or a named fix defined by a VOR radial, TACAN
