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Instrument Checkride Preparation Guide

Mar 18, 2025

Instrument ACS Guide and Checkride Preparation

Introduction

  • Objective: Provide a comprehensive guide to the Instrument ACS to prepare for check rides and impress the DPE.
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Mock Oral Instrument Check Ride Overview

Pilot Qualifications

  • K1: Qualifications, Certification, and Recency
    • Hour Requirements: 50 hours cross-country as PIC, 40 hours simulated/actual instrument time (15 with instructor), 250 nautical mile cross-country flight with instructor.
    • Application Requirements: Must have a Private Pilot certificate or be concurrently applying, read/speak/write/understand English.
    • Recency Requirements: Flight review every 2 years, 3 takeoffs/landings in the preceding 90 days, 6 instrument approaches within 6 months (use of aircraft/simulator).
  • K2: Privileges and Limitations
    • Commercial pilots without an instrument cannot carry passengers further than 50 nautical miles or at night.
  • K3: Basic Med Privileges
    • Operate aircraft with max weight 6,000 lbs, carry up to six occupants, fly up to 18,000 ft MSL.
  • Proficiency vs. Currency: Importance of proficiency in conducting tasks with competence, beyond mere currency.

Personal Minimums and Fitness

  • Setting Personal Minimums: Depends on aircraft type, autopilot presence, etc.
  • Fitness and Psychological Factors: Use "I'm Safe" checklist to ensure readiness for flight.
  • Flying Unfamiliar Aircraft: Importance of additional training when switching aircraft or systems.

Instrument Flight Requirements

  • When Required: IFR flight conditions, Class A airspace, special VFR at night, etc.
  • Information PIC Must Have: Use acronym NW KRAFT for necessary info before flight.
  • RAIM: Ensures signal coverage, alerts pilot during lapses.

Weather Information

Obtaining Weather Briefings

  • Sources: Use ForeFlight, other approved sources.
  • Accepted Weather Products: Understand and use various weather products.
  • Atmospheric Composition and Stability: Review from Private Pilot training.

Risk Management

  • NEXRAD Limitations: Can be outdated, important to understand severe weather handling.
  • Selecting Alternates: Know 1-2-3 rule and alternate selection criteria.

Weather Phenomena

  • Fronts and Icing: Understand characteristics of cold/warm fronts, icing types, and handling.
  • SIGMETs and AIRMETs: Know differences and types (Tango, Sierra, Zulu).

Cross Country Flight Planning

  • Flight Plan Elements: Understand elements unique to IFR flight plans.
  • Alternate Planning: Criteria for selecting viable alternates.
  • Use of Technology: Use ForeFlight and apps for planning and calculations.

Pre-flight Procedures

Airplane Systems for IFR Operations

  • Icing Prevention: Know systems in the aircraft for de-icing.
  • Pito-Static and Vacuum Systems: Understand operation and limitations.

Flight Instruments and Navigation

  • Pitch, Bank, and Power Instruments: Understand and use correctly.
  • Magnetic Compass: Know errors and corrections (UNOS, ANDS).

ATC Clearances and Procedures

Compliance and Responsibility

  • Pilot Responsibility: Announce takeoffs, stay informed of frequencies, comply with ATC.
  • Lost Communication Procedures: Follow AVEF and ALT rules, squawk 7600.

Holding Procedures

  • Entry Techniques: Direct, teardrop, parallel entries and wind correction.

Instrument Approach Procedures

Precision and Non-Precision Approaches

  • ILS Components: Localizer, Glideslope, Marker Beacons.
  • Descend Below DA/MDA: Conditions required, runway environment in sight.

RNAV and GPS Approaches

  • Types: LNAV, LNAV+V, LPV, LP.
  • WAAS and RAIM: Differences and importance for precision.

Aeronautical Decision Making

Spatial Disorientation and Illusions

  • Types of Illusions: Inversion, Coriolis, Elevator, etc.
  • Optical Illusions: Runway width, slope, and black hole effects.

Hypoxia

  • Types and Symptoms: Hypoxic, hypemic, stagnant, histotoxic.

Conclusion

  • Review: Comprehensive run-through of topics for IFR check ride.
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This guide serves as a comprehensive reference for students preparing for their IFR check ride, ensuring thorough coverage of all necessary topics and regulations.

Full transcript