Instrument Pilot Oral Exam_ Essential
Terms & Definitions
2026-2027
Expert-Verified Questions and Answers
(With A+ Grades Guarantee)
,IR.I.A.K1 125hr
An applicant for an instrument rating must have at least
how much and what type of flight time as pilot? (14 CFR 50 hr XC time
61.65)
40 hours for part 61 and 35 for 141 time of simulated or actual
IR.I.A.K1 In 6 calendar months you have to do these to remain current:
What are the recency-of-experience requirements to be - 6 approaches
PIC of a flight under IFR? To carry passengers - Holding
- Tracking and Intercepting Course
Once currency has lapsed
- 6 months to regain currency by doing those
If 12 months have elapsed
Must complete an IPC with an authorized instructor
To carry passengers: 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days in an
aircraft of the same category, class and type, if a type rating is required
Full stop at night
IR.I.A.K1 A pilot may log as instrument flight time only that time during which he/she operates
What conditions are necessary for a pilot to log instrument the aircraft solely by reference to instruments, under actual or simulated conditions.
time?
IR.I.A.K1 1. location
When logging instrument time, what should be included in 2. Type of approach
each logbook entry? 3. Safety pilot
IR.I.A.K2 a. Under IFR weather and flight plan
When is an instrument rating required? (14 CFR 61.3e, b. Class A airspace
91.157) c. Under Special VFR within Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E surface areas
between sunset and sunrise.
IR.I.A.K3
What are the requirements of Basic Med
IR.A.I.R1 Currency is Legal and Proficiency is Skill
What is the difference between currency and proficiency
IR.I.A.R2 Those minimums in which one feels comfortable based on experience and skill
Define Personal Minimums and Describe yours
What are the required qualifications for a person to act as a. Private Pilot Certificate with appropriate category and class ratings
a "safety pilot"? what if the flight is in IFR?
b. Appropriate medical certificate
c. If the flight is in IFR (flight plan) the PIC must be instrument rated and current
IR.I.A.K1 The FAA has never defined the term "actual"
What conditions must exist in order to log "actual"
instrument flight time? But its reasonable to log flight in IMC conditions with flight being conducted solely
by reference to instruments.
What is IMC When the weather conditions are below the VFR minimums specified for visual
meteorological conditions.
What is the definition of the term "flight time"? The time between when the aircraft moves for the purpose of flight and when it
comes to rest.
,IR.I C.K1 R- Runway lengths and distance
What information must a pilot-in-command be familiar with A- ATC delays
before a flight? (14 CFR 91.103) W- Weather reports and forecasts
F- fuel requirements
A- Alternate airports
T- Takeoff and landing distance
IR.I.C.K3C,c No alternate is destination + 45 min
What are the fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions?
Alternate is Destination + Alternate + 45 min
1R.I.C.K1 Generally, en route approved receivers provide essentially the same navigation
What is the difference between approved and non- information as a VFR-only loran or GPS, the principal difference being that an IFR-
approved navigation devices? approved en route receiver has RAIM. It's quite possible that a receiver capable of
being IFR- approved was not certified for IFR when it was installed.
IR.II.B.K2 a. Verify its installed and the databases are not expired. Review WAAS NOTAMs
Before conducting an IFR flight using GPS equipment for b. Review GPS RAIM availability for non-WAAS receivers.
navigation, what basic preflight checks should be made? c. Check the route of flight fixes
IR.V.A.K2 Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring
What is RAIM? Explain the function of RAIM, what if it
doesn't work the 5th satellite that makes sure the GPS signals are being received at all times.
The GPS will tell us its not by INTEG
IR.V.A.R1 WAAS coverage is confirmed to be available along the entire route of flight.
When is a RAIM check required? what if you lose RAIM,
how long should you continue to fly Outside the U.S. or in areas where WAAS coverage is not available, operators are
required to check GPS RAIM availability.
If loss of RAIM for 5 or more min, discontinue the flight
IR.V.A.R3 1. contact a FSS to obtain non-precision approach RAIM. You'll get RAIM for a
What are several methods a pilot can use to satisfy the period of 1 hour before to 1 hour after the ETA.
predictive RAIM requirement (RAIM check)?
2. Use www.raimprediction.net.
3. Use 3rd party interface, FAA/Volpe Center RAIM prediction data without altering
performance values to predict RAIM outages for the aircraft's predicted flight path
and times.
d. Use the RAIM prediction capability (for TSO-C129a/Class A1/B1/C1 equipment)
to provide non-precision approach RAIM
Who is responsible for determining if an aircraft is in an The pilot-in-command is responsible
airworthy condition?
IR.IIC.K2 Tachometer
What instruments are required for VFR day/night Oil temperature gauge
Manifold pressure gauge
Airspeed indicator
Temperature gauge
Oil Pressure gauge
Altimeter
Fuel gauge for each tank
Flotation gear
Landing gear positon light
Anti collision lights
Magnetic Compass
ELT
Seatbelts
NIGHT
Fuses (circuit breakers)
Landing light
Anti collision lights
Position lights (nav light)
Source of electricity (alternator or generator)
, What aircrafts are not required to have an ELT all but jets, scheduled flights, training flights 50nm from airport, new aircrafts single
seats
What aircraft instruments/equipment are required for IFR Those required for VFR day and night and...
operations? Generator or alternator of adequate capacity
Radios (nav. and comm. equipment suitable for the route to be flown)
Altimeter (sensitive, kolsman window)
Ball (slip/skid indicator of turn coordinator)
Clock (sweep second hand)
Attitude indicator
Rate of turn coordinator
Directional gyro
D-ME or RNAV (for flight at FL240 and above if VOR equipment is required for the
route
IR.II.C.K2 A- Annual 1 year
What are the required tests and inspections of aircraft and V- VOR
equipment to be legal for IFR flight? I- 100 Hour
A- Altimeter, altitude reporting (IFR) 24 months
T- Transponder 24 months
E- ELT (if half used, or more than an hour)
S- Static (IFR) 24 months
IR.I.B.R5 Yes its what we use on fore-flight
Are electronic chart systems approved for use as a
replacement for paper reference material in the cockpit? If Must be up to date
so what's the rule?
IR.II.C.K3 Airworthiness Certificate
What documents must be on board an aircraft to make it Registration Certificate
legal for IFR flight? Radio station license (if conducting international operations, valid for 5 years)
Owner's manual or operating limitations
Weight and balance data
What additional aircraft documentation should be onboard Most systems require an Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS) and Cockpit
an aircraft equipped with an IFR-approved GPS? Reference Guide or Quick Reference Guide to be onboard as a limitation of use
How often are GPS databases required to be updated? Navigation database = 28 days.
Obstacle databases = 56 days
Can a GPS with an expired database be used for Has to be current.
navigation under IFR?
You can if you use a current en route chart to manually verify
IR.II.C.R2 If the pilots can do it without disassembling the avionics unit with special tools, they
Can a pilot perform the required database updates or must can update the system.
this action be accomplished by authorized maintenance
personnel?
IR.II.C.R1 Just need to make sure that during preflight:
When utilizing GPS for IFR navigation, are you required to 1. The equipment is onboard and operational
have an alternate means of navigation appropriate for the 2. All required checks have been performed (VOR)
route of flight? 3. Don't need an alternate if RAIM is used for integrity monitoring.
4. If you lost RAIM, then yes.
IR.II.C.K1 Refer to the FAA-approved AFM and AFM supplements
How can a pilot determine what type of operations a GPS
receiver is approved for
Can a handheld GPS receiver be used for IFR operations? No, just to help situational awareness.
Terms & Definitions
2026-2027
Expert-Verified Questions and Answers
(With A+ Grades Guarantee)
,IR.I.A.K1 125hr
An applicant for an instrument rating must have at least
how much and what type of flight time as pilot? (14 CFR 50 hr XC time
61.65)
40 hours for part 61 and 35 for 141 time of simulated or actual
IR.I.A.K1 In 6 calendar months you have to do these to remain current:
What are the recency-of-experience requirements to be - 6 approaches
PIC of a flight under IFR? To carry passengers - Holding
- Tracking and Intercepting Course
Once currency has lapsed
- 6 months to regain currency by doing those
If 12 months have elapsed
Must complete an IPC with an authorized instructor
To carry passengers: 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days in an
aircraft of the same category, class and type, if a type rating is required
Full stop at night
IR.I.A.K1 A pilot may log as instrument flight time only that time during which he/she operates
What conditions are necessary for a pilot to log instrument the aircraft solely by reference to instruments, under actual or simulated conditions.
time?
IR.I.A.K1 1. location
When logging instrument time, what should be included in 2. Type of approach
each logbook entry? 3. Safety pilot
IR.I.A.K2 a. Under IFR weather and flight plan
When is an instrument rating required? (14 CFR 61.3e, b. Class A airspace
91.157) c. Under Special VFR within Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E surface areas
between sunset and sunrise.
IR.I.A.K3
What are the requirements of Basic Med
IR.A.I.R1 Currency is Legal and Proficiency is Skill
What is the difference between currency and proficiency
IR.I.A.R2 Those minimums in which one feels comfortable based on experience and skill
Define Personal Minimums and Describe yours
What are the required qualifications for a person to act as a. Private Pilot Certificate with appropriate category and class ratings
a "safety pilot"? what if the flight is in IFR?
b. Appropriate medical certificate
c. If the flight is in IFR (flight plan) the PIC must be instrument rated and current
IR.I.A.K1 The FAA has never defined the term "actual"
What conditions must exist in order to log "actual"
instrument flight time? But its reasonable to log flight in IMC conditions with flight being conducted solely
by reference to instruments.
What is IMC When the weather conditions are below the VFR minimums specified for visual
meteorological conditions.
What is the definition of the term "flight time"? The time between when the aircraft moves for the purpose of flight and when it
comes to rest.
,IR.I C.K1 R- Runway lengths and distance
What information must a pilot-in-command be familiar with A- ATC delays
before a flight? (14 CFR 91.103) W- Weather reports and forecasts
F- fuel requirements
A- Alternate airports
T- Takeoff and landing distance
IR.I.C.K3C,c No alternate is destination + 45 min
What are the fuel requirements for flight in IFR conditions?
Alternate is Destination + Alternate + 45 min
1R.I.C.K1 Generally, en route approved receivers provide essentially the same navigation
What is the difference between approved and non- information as a VFR-only loran or GPS, the principal difference being that an IFR-
approved navigation devices? approved en route receiver has RAIM. It's quite possible that a receiver capable of
being IFR- approved was not certified for IFR when it was installed.
IR.II.B.K2 a. Verify its installed and the databases are not expired. Review WAAS NOTAMs
Before conducting an IFR flight using GPS equipment for b. Review GPS RAIM availability for non-WAAS receivers.
navigation, what basic preflight checks should be made? c. Check the route of flight fixes
IR.V.A.K2 Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring
What is RAIM? Explain the function of RAIM, what if it
doesn't work the 5th satellite that makes sure the GPS signals are being received at all times.
The GPS will tell us its not by INTEG
IR.V.A.R1 WAAS coverage is confirmed to be available along the entire route of flight.
When is a RAIM check required? what if you lose RAIM,
how long should you continue to fly Outside the U.S. or in areas where WAAS coverage is not available, operators are
required to check GPS RAIM availability.
If loss of RAIM for 5 or more min, discontinue the flight
IR.V.A.R3 1. contact a FSS to obtain non-precision approach RAIM. You'll get RAIM for a
What are several methods a pilot can use to satisfy the period of 1 hour before to 1 hour after the ETA.
predictive RAIM requirement (RAIM check)?
2. Use www.raimprediction.net.
3. Use 3rd party interface, FAA/Volpe Center RAIM prediction data without altering
performance values to predict RAIM outages for the aircraft's predicted flight path
and times.
d. Use the RAIM prediction capability (for TSO-C129a/Class A1/B1/C1 equipment)
to provide non-precision approach RAIM
Who is responsible for determining if an aircraft is in an The pilot-in-command is responsible
airworthy condition?
IR.IIC.K2 Tachometer
What instruments are required for VFR day/night Oil temperature gauge
Manifold pressure gauge
Airspeed indicator
Temperature gauge
Oil Pressure gauge
Altimeter
Fuel gauge for each tank
Flotation gear
Landing gear positon light
Anti collision lights
Magnetic Compass
ELT
Seatbelts
NIGHT
Fuses (circuit breakers)
Landing light
Anti collision lights
Position lights (nav light)
Source of electricity (alternator or generator)
, What aircrafts are not required to have an ELT all but jets, scheduled flights, training flights 50nm from airport, new aircrafts single
seats
What aircraft instruments/equipment are required for IFR Those required for VFR day and night and...
operations? Generator or alternator of adequate capacity
Radios (nav. and comm. equipment suitable for the route to be flown)
Altimeter (sensitive, kolsman window)
Ball (slip/skid indicator of turn coordinator)
Clock (sweep second hand)
Attitude indicator
Rate of turn coordinator
Directional gyro
D-ME or RNAV (for flight at FL240 and above if VOR equipment is required for the
route
IR.II.C.K2 A- Annual 1 year
What are the required tests and inspections of aircraft and V- VOR
equipment to be legal for IFR flight? I- 100 Hour
A- Altimeter, altitude reporting (IFR) 24 months
T- Transponder 24 months
E- ELT (if half used, or more than an hour)
S- Static (IFR) 24 months
IR.I.B.R5 Yes its what we use on fore-flight
Are electronic chart systems approved for use as a
replacement for paper reference material in the cockpit? If Must be up to date
so what's the rule?
IR.II.C.K3 Airworthiness Certificate
What documents must be on board an aircraft to make it Registration Certificate
legal for IFR flight? Radio station license (if conducting international operations, valid for 5 years)
Owner's manual or operating limitations
Weight and balance data
What additional aircraft documentation should be onboard Most systems require an Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS) and Cockpit
an aircraft equipped with an IFR-approved GPS? Reference Guide or Quick Reference Guide to be onboard as a limitation of use
How often are GPS databases required to be updated? Navigation database = 28 days.
Obstacle databases = 56 days
Can a GPS with an expired database be used for Has to be current.
navigation under IFR?
You can if you use a current en route chart to manually verify
IR.II.C.R2 If the pilots can do it without disassembling the avionics unit with special tools, they
Can a pilot perform the required database updates or must can update the system.
this action be accomplished by authorized maintenance
personnel?
IR.II.C.R1 Just need to make sure that during preflight:
When utilizing GPS for IFR navigation, are you required to 1. The equipment is onboard and operational
have an alternate means of navigation appropriate for the 2. All required checks have been performed (VOR)
route of flight? 3. Don't need an alternate if RAIM is used for integrity monitoring.
4. If you lost RAIM, then yes.
IR.II.C.K1 Refer to the FAA-approved AFM and AFM supplements
How can a pilot determine what type of operations a GPS
receiver is approved for
Can a handheld GPS receiver be used for IFR operations? No, just to help situational awareness.
