Safety Pilot Mock Instrument Check Ride

Overview

Presenters: Andrew (Student/Applicant) & Caleb (DP – Designated Pilot Examiner)
Purpose: Demonstrate and discuss scope of an instrument check ride, including potential questions and flight planning.
Simulation: Andrew is the applicant, Caleb acts as the DP and scenario examiner.

Paperwork: Complete IACRA form 8710, present necessary documents (Bill of Rights, outcomes: pass, discontinued, disapproval).
- Ensure logbooks and airplane inspections are up-to-date.
- Understand required inspections: annual, VOR check, 100-hour if for hire, transponder and pitot-static (24 months), ELT (12 months).
Scenario: Plan an instrument flight from Superior, WI to Marshfield, WI assuming Andrew is already instrument-rated and Caleb is a first-time passenger.

IFR Conditions: Below VFR weather minimums, instrument flight plan, Class A airspace, special VFR at night.

Passenger Requirements: 3 landings within the past 90 days, current instrument pilot (6 approaches, holding, intercepting within the last 6 months), proficiency check in the past 24 months.
Approved Devices: GPS must be FAA-approved and not portable.
- Check TSO (Technical Standard Order) compliance in GPS manual for legality.

Night Landings: Count for day currency as well.
Instrument Approaches: 6 of any type within preceding 6 months for currency requirements, review safety and proficiency considerations.
Out of Currency (past 6 months): Fly with a safety pilot or instructor, cannot file IFR if out of currency.
Logging Simulated Instrument Approaches: Must fly to missed approach point to log.
Logging Actual Instrument Approaches: Must fly to final approach point; actual conditions must exist.
Beyond 12 months: Need an instrument proficiency check (IPC) with CFII or DPE.

Required Inspections: Annual, VOR check (30 days), 100-hour, transponder, pitot-static, ELT.
Performing VOR Check: Chart supplement for location and frequency, go to designated area, set VOR to 180/360, ensure correct from/to indication.
Required Documents: Airworthiness, registration (valid for 3 years), POH/AFM, weight & balance.

Failed Equipment Evaluations: For example, malfunctioning inclinometer or turn coordinator affects IFR legality.
IFR Required Equipment (GRABCARD): Generator/Alternator, Radios, Altimeter, Ball/Slip-skid, Clock, Attitude indicator, Rate of turn indicator, Directional gyro.

Sources: Foreflight, flight service station, aviationweather.gov, phone (1-800-WXBRIEF).
Essential Information: Airspace, NOTAMs, observed weather (METARs, PIREPs), forecasts (TAFs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs), significant weather phenomena.

METAR Decoding: Understand observation time, wind, visibility, sky conditions, temperature, dew point, altimeter, remarks.
Wind Barbs and TAF Analysis: Decode forecasted winds and temperature, stability of atmosphere, freezing levels.
Non-pilot Elements: Understanding weather anomalies, abbreviations (e.g., PWINO – Precipitation Identifier Information Not Available).

Significant Weather Events: High turbulence, wind shear, varied atmospheric pressures, thunderstorms, and microbursts.
Decision Making: Assessing go/no-go based on turbulence, instrument meteorological conditions, passenger considerations.

Completion: Ensure departure, aircraft, flight time, fuel on board, equipment codes are accurate (slant codes like /G for GPS).
Execution and Errors: Unselected filings are not picked up until clearance is activated by ATC.

Aircraft Equipment Codes: GPS (/G), mode S transponder (/R), and other essential capabilities.

The presentation covers critical aspects of instrument training, focusing on practical scenarios, legal requirements, airplane readiness, and weather assessments crucial for informed decision-making during an instrument check ride.