IFR checkride soon | TheaterFire

[-]

30KAviation@reddit

IFR confusion can be more normal than many pilots admit. Most training teaches IFR in rapid fire fashion, but in the airplane it all shows up at once which is where people get behind (multiple approaches/missed approaches back-to-back, etc.)

The biggest shift comes from learning how to see the whole flow of the system (clearance -> enroute -> approach) in a seamless fashion that doesn’t feel overwhelming, and learning about what actually matters in each phase, as well as what to generally expect from ATC so that you can think ahead. It’s the same general framework every time, regardless of weather changes, different airports, airplanes, etc.

I’m a CFI/CFII/MEI/ATP and current airline pilot, and personally struggled with my instrument training as did several students of mine. Now, with a much clearer understanding of the IFR framework, I’ve recently put together a program that is live and is designed to help bridge the gap between knowing procedures and understanding how it all comes together to make you comfortable flying in the IFR world.

Bring your questions if you have any! They’re more than welcome!

If you want details, feel free to reach out and I’d be more than happy to share. Congratulations on approaching your checkride! Instrument flying is a fantastic experience and extremely useful in the real world!

[-]

Flaky_Summer_9800@reddit

I remember getting super stumped on one question. It’s the only question I can remember him asking me. It’s been a few years, but the question was “how would atc know what equipment capabilities you have”? So if you have say RNAV or DME. Had never been asked that before on prior stage checks, nor had I read it or been taught it. He also wanted the specific codes that corresponds to it on the aircraft I was taking the ride in. The location of them is in your flight plan.

[-]

No-Foundation-8034@reddit

I dont know how soon is soon. But i would really recommend you read the AIM front to back intentionally, without skipping notes (looking at you AIM 1-2-3)

While it is always taught that the AIM is not legally binding, “just advisory”, it really is how we fly IFR, and IFR is not a rating you want to rote memorize, you want to really understand it

[-]

kmac6821@reddit

Not at all disagreeing with you for an instrument student. Now that I’m on the “inside” so to speak, I see how the AIM is not always written by those with a complete understanding of a particular topic. There is plenty in the AIM that is mostly correct, but not quite fully there. Or, it was written when a statement used to be true and was never updated when reality changed.

For that reason, I recommend reading the various orders instead to see how the puzzle pieces mostly fit together.

[-]

PG67AW@reddit

Can you give an example of the not quite there?

[-]

kmac6821@reddit

Absolutely. Here are a few examples:

“When flying published GPS overlay or stand alone procedures with distance specified, the holding fix will be a waypoint in the database and the end of the outbound leg will be determined by the ATD.” In modern avionics, the distance for the outbound leg is calculated using the coded distance for the inbound leg. It is the coded distance that is charted.

“Holding patterns at USAF airfields only - 310 KIAS maximum, unless otherwise depicted.” -Incorrect.

“Holding patterns at Navy fields only - 230 KIAS maximum, unless otherwise depicted.” -Incorrect.

“Unless specified otherwise, required obstacle clearance for all departures, including diverse, is based on the pilot crossing the departure end of the runway at least 35 feet above the departure end of runway elevation…” - no, it is not. It is based on crossing the DER at 0’. It has been over 20 years since TERPS assumed 35’.

[-]

Different_Hour2257@reddit

You can make flashcards and don't forget to focus on these things (like for every checkride) : https://www.airheadatpl.com/blog/checklist-challenge-11-things-to-focus-on-before-your-checkride

[-]

Ok_Method_2790@reddit (OP)

Also, checkride isn’t tomorrow type of soon but it is in a couple weeks, just trying to be as prepared as I can be. You all have left some great questions and I’ll be sure to implement even more situational material into my studying. Thanks!

[-]

randombrain@reddit

This is a real-world scenario that happened to me during the second week after I was certified to work radar. Details changed, of course.

You have filed a flight plan from Ionia County Airport (Y70) to South Bend via VIO V274 PMM V55 GIJ direct with a filed altitude of 060. Pretend all the airway segments are usable.

The AWOS at Y70 is reporting ceiling OVC015 and visibility 10SM—marginal VFR, to be sure, but still legal VFR.

Your cell carrier has poor coverage near Ionia, so you elect to depart VFR. You take off from Runway 28. Because you are VFR, you maintain 500' below the cloud layer—1000' AGL, 1800' MSL. You call Great Lakes Approach airborne to pick up your IFR clearance.

The Great Lakes Approach controller issues your squawk code and identifies you on radar. They give you the Grand Rapids altimeter setting and confirm that you are at 1800' MSL. Then they say this:

Cherokee 345, you're below my MVA. Are you able to maintain your own terrain and obstruction clearance through 2500?

What do you say, and why?

[-]

Helpful-Lion-6316@reddit

Not OP, would you say “unable”? Because Y70 is at 800 feet MSL that means clouds are at 2300, so you can’t climb up to 2500 without getting clearance?

[-]

randombrain@reddit

Give OP a chance to respond, but...

!Whether or not you can maintain VMC wasn't the question. Whether or not you can maintain VFR wasn't the question. ATC already knows you need an IFR clearance in order to climb to 2500; if they didn't know that, they wouldn't be asking this question at all.!<

!If you say that you are able to maintain your own clearance through 2500, ATC's response will be: "Cleared to South Bend via direct Victory, then as filed, climb and maintain 3000." (Or whatever altitude.)
If you say you can't: "Roger, unable IFR clearance. Maintain VFR. Say intentions."!<

[-]

cazzipropri@reddit

And here's a collection of 64 hard instrument oral questions...

[-]

randombrain@reddit

This is a really tricky question that the examiner probably won't ask you, and probably won't ever be a factor in your IFR flying career... until the day that it is.

Compare and contrast:

IFR departure from Ionia County Airport (Y70). You got your clearance on the ground via telephone. AWOS reports 3SM vis and OVC007.
IFR departure from Hiram Cure Airport (C43). You got your clearance on the ground via telephone. There is no AWOS, but you pull up ForeFlight and you see that both Y70 and LAN are reporting 3SM vis and OVC007.

How do you safely navigate yourself from 0' AGL to the minimum safe IFR altitude?

[-]

randombrain@reddit

Compare and contrast:

You are on an IFR flight plan cleared direct Ionia County Airport (Y70) descending to 030. Ten miles out, you report the field in sight. ATC tells you "Cleared visual approach Ionia County, report cancellation of IFR in the air on this frequency or on the ground via telephone, change to advisory frequency approved."
You are on an IFR flight plan cleared direct Capital Region Airport (LAN) descending to 030. Ten miles out, you report the field in sight. ATC tells you "Cleared visual approach Runway 28L, contact Lansing Tower."

I'm specifically wondering what is the same, and what is different, about your approach to the airport and your selection of landing runway.

[-]

randombrain@reddit

You're going in to GRR. You get the ATIS, which has 05016KT SCT013 BKN035 and says that both the ILS RWY 08R and the ILS RWY 35 are in use.

You're cleared the ILS RWY 08R. Brief the expected immediate/initial response from ATC if something happens and you report going missed, or get sent around, on short final.

Note: The answer does NOT involve the Victory VOR. Explain why.

[-]

TxAggieMike@reddit

Some resources to aid in preparation:

Flight insight IFR sheet: https://www.flight-insight.com/ifr-pdf

https://www.pilotscafe.com/IFR-quick-review-guide/

Gold Seal instrument “Cheat Sheet” — https://goldseal.link/ifrcheatsheet

VSL.aero ACE Guide

Seth Lake’s VSL.aero YT channel and his series in on decoding the Instrument Airplane ACS.

[-]

TxAggieMike@reddit

Search the sub…

The question pops up daily.

[-]

rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hey guys, my IFR checkride is coming up soon. Of course studying like a mad man but the nerves are still high! If any of y’all have any suggestions of areas to study extra, any good questions, or any tips send them my way!

Please downvote this comment until it collapses.

Questions about this comment? Please see this wiki post before contacting the mods.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact the mods of this subreddit.