When to file IFR?
When do you need to file an alternate?
WWW.RRUM
• Wx: <2000ft and 3 mi vis (even if a VFR descent from a MIA can be accomplished), can be 1500 and 3 if 2 independent precision approaches are available and operable
• Winds out of limits
• no Weather reporting capability
• Radar required for approaches
• RVSM: if you need to be in RVSM airspace to get to the destination
• Unmonitored NAVAIDs
• Minimums for the lowest approach > 1500 and 3
What disqualifies an alternate?
What are the visibility and cloud clearance requirements for the different types of airspace?
Airspace Visibility Requirement Cloud Clearance Requirement
Class A None None
Class B 3 SM Clear of clouds
Class C 3 SM 500’ below, 1000’ above, and 2000’ laterally
Class D 3 SM 500’ below, 1000’ above, and 2000’ laterally
Class E (Below 10,000’ MSL) 3 SM 500’ below, 1000’ above, and 2000’ laterally
Class E (At or above 10,000’ MSL) 5 SM 1000’ below, 1000’ above, 1 SM laterally
Class G (Below 10,000’ MSL) 3 SM 500’ below, 1000’ above, and 2000’ laterally
Class G (At or above 10,000’ MSL) 5 SM 1000’ below, 1000’ above, 1 SM laterally
What is the minimum climb gradient required when departing an airfield under IFR?
• 200 ft./NM
What minimums are needed for circling/straight-in approaches?
• Weather must be at or above both ceiling AND visibility requirements
Can you begin your enroute descent or instrument approach if the weather at your destination is below mins?
• No
What do you do if the weather goes below mins after you’ve already begun the approach? AFI 11-202V3, 8.17.1.1
• Continue to the MAP and execute the missed approach or climbout procedure
If a TEMPO condition at your alternate (+1 hour of your ETA) shows weather below mins due to thunderstorms, snow showers, or rain showers, can you still use that airfield as an alternate? AFI 11-202V3, 8.8
• Yes. However, if the TEMPO exists because of any other condition that pushes the weather below approach minimums (fog, haze, winds, etc.), you cannot use that airfield as an alternate.
If the forecast for your destination shows weather in limits, but includes a TEMPO line that is not, can you still file to that airfield? AFI 11-202V3, 8.6.1
• Yes, but you need to file an alternate
VFR ceiling and visibility? AFI 11-202V3, 7.2.2
• 1500’ and 3 SM
How does fuel planning change if you are filing with visibility only versus ceiling/visibility? AFI 11-202V3, 2.4.3.1
What are the weather minimums for takeoff in IMC? AFI 11-202V3, 8.11
When must you report “gear down” on an approach? AFI 11-202V3, 5.13
• Before crossing the runway threshold
What are the different types of IFR departures? AFI 11-202V3, 8.12.3
What if your destination doesn’t have published instrument approaches? AFI 11-202V3, 8.5
* File to a nearby airfield with approaches, get below IMC, and proceed VFR to your destination
Can you use an airfield without any published or compatible approaches as an alternate? AFI 11-202V3, 8.8.2
• Yes, but forecast weather at that airfield, ±1 hour of your ETA, must permit a VFR descent from the Minimum IFR Altitude to a VFR approach and landing
An approach can bring you to the runway as much as _____ degrees off centerline and still be considered a straight-in approach. AFMAN 11-217V1, 6.5.4.4.7
• 30 degrees
What is the standard direction for holding? AFMAN 11-217V1, 8.1.1
• Right-hand turns
What must you do if you go one dot below or two dots above glideslope during an ILS? AFMAN 11-217V1, 12.2.1.3.1
• You must adhere to the Localizer minimums, but if you can recapture the glideslope within the Localizer minimums, you may resume the ILS
What are the different types of ODPs? AFMAN 11-217V1, 7.4.1
When can you legally descend below the MDA? AFMAN 11-217V1, 12.2.2.9.2
• Sufficient visual references within the runway environment must be established and the aircraft is in a position to land safely
What must you do if you lose sight of the runway during a circling approach? AFMAN 11-217V1, 14.4.2.4
What is a VDP, and how do you calculate one if it isn’t published? AFMAN 11-217V1, 12.1.1.3/12.1.1.3.2
• Visual Descent Point, it is the point during a non-precision approach when you can descend out of the MDA if the runway is in sight. The VDP normally allows for a 3 degree glideslope.
• Divide the Height Above Touchdown (HAT by the glideslope x100
• Ex. HAT = 368 feet, Glideslope = 3 degrees
o 368 ft’ / 300 = 1.2 NM