Instrument pilot oral prep

Mastering the Instrument Rating oral exam requires moving beyond VFR thinking—you are proving to the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) that you can safely operate an aircraft solely by reference to instruments in IFR conditions, manage high workload, and make sound IFR go/no-go decisions.

1. Core IFR Focus Areas

📌 Pilot Qualifications & Currency (14 CFR 61.57)

• 6 HITT (Instrument Currency - 6 calendar months):
• 6 instrument approaches
• Holding procedures & tasks
• Intercepting & Tracking courses through the use of navigational Tronic systems.
• Grace Period: If uncurrent for more than 6 months, you have a 6-month safety period to restore currency with a safety pilot, instructor, or simulator. Beyond 12 months uncurrent, you must pass an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC).
• Safety Pilot Requirements: Must hold at least a Private Pilot certificate with appropriate category/class ratings, hold a current medical, and have adequate forward and side vision.

📌 IFR Required Equipment (14 CFR 91.205)

• Day/Night VFR Equipment + GRABCARD:
• Generator / Alternator
• Radios (two-way navigation and communication equipment suitable for route)
• Altimeter (sensitive / adjustable for barometric pressure)
• Ball (slip-skid indicator)
• Clock (digital or sweep-second hand mounted in aircraft)
• Attitude indicator
• Rate-of-turn indicator
• Directional gyro (heading indicator)

📌 Preflight & Fuel Requirements (14 CFR 91.103 & 91.167)

• NWKRAFT (Preflight Action): NOTAMs, Weather reports/forecasts, Known traffic delays, Runway lengths, Alternates available, Fuel requirements, Takeoff/landing performance data.
• Fuel Minimums: Enough fuel to reach first airport of intended landing + fly to alternate (if required) + fly for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed.
• When is an Alternate Required? (1-2-3 Rule):
• From 1 hour before to 1 hour after estimated time of arrival...
• Ceiling is predicted below 2,000 ft AGL...
• Visibility is predicted below 3 Statute Miles.
• Alternate Weather Minimums (at ETA):
• Precision Approach: 600 ft ceiling & 2 SM visibility.
• Non-Precision Approach: 800 ft ceiling & 2 SM visibility.
• No Instrument Approach: Must allow descent from MEA to landing under basic VFR.

2. Essential IFR Acronyms & Memory Aids

AcronymPurposeBreakdownCRAFTATC Clearance ElementsClearance Limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency (departure), Transponder codeMARVELOUS VFR C500Mandatory IFR Altitude/Position ReportsMissed approach, Airspeed change (±5% or 10 kt), Reaching a holding fix, VACATing an altitude, ETA change (>2 min), Leaving assigned holding fix, Out of service nav equipment, Unable to climb/descend 500 fpm, Safety of flight compromised, VFR on top changes, Final approach fix inbound, Radio/Nav failure, Compulsory reporting points, 500 fpm climb/descent unableAVE FLost Comms - Route SelectionFly in order: Assigned, Vectored, Expected, FiledMEALost Comms - Altitude SelectionFly the highest of: Minimum IFR altitude, Expected altitude, Assigned altitude

3. Departure, En Route & Approach Concepts

• IFR Departure Procedures:
• ODP (Obstacle Departure Procedure): Textual or graphic; pilot preference unless assigned by ATC; provides obstacle clearance.
• SID (Standard Instrument Departure): System enhancement; requires ATC clearance; simplifies clearances and controls traffic flow.
• Diverse Vector Area (DVA): ATC vectors from radar environment in lieu of ODP.
• En Route Altitudes:
• MEA (Minimum En-route Altitude): Guarantees obstacle clearance (1,000' non-mountainous / 2,000' mountainous) AND acceptable navigation signal coverage.
• MOCA (Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude): Guarantees obstacle clearance along entire route, but nav signal coverage only within 22 NM of VOR.
• MAA (Maximum Authorized Altitude): Highest altitude authorized for route (prevents signal overlap).
• When Can You Descend Below DA/MDA? (14 CFR 91.175):

1. Continuous position to land using normal maneuvers.
2. Flight visibility at or above published approach minimums.
3. Visual reference for intended runway in sight (runway environment: threshold, touchdown zone, REIL, VASI/PAPI, approach lights—down to 100 ft above TDZE unless red terminating bars/side row bars in sight).

4. High-Yield Scenario Questions to Practice

1. "You are on an IFR flight plan in IMC at 6,000 feet and lose all two-way radio communications. What route and altitude do you fly?"
2. "You break out at 200 feet above touchdown zone elevation and see the approach light system, but not the threshold or runway surface. Can you descend lower?"
3. "If your pitot tube gets completely blocked by ice (including the drain hole) while cruising in cloud cover, what will your airspeed indicator display as you climb or descend?"
4. "Explain the difference between an ILS, LPV, LNAV/VNAV, and LNAV approach."

5. Execution Rules on Checkride Day

• Know Your Avionics: Know how to set up holding patterns, suspend sequencing (OBS mode), and load approaches/vectors-to-final in your specific GPS system (e.g., Garmin G1000 or GTN 650/750).
• Reference Charts & POH: Never guess on static numbers (like system specs or Published Minimums). State where you will look it up (Approach Plate, AIM, FAR/AIM).
• Explain SRM (Single-Pilot Resource Management): Emphasize how you use autopilot, brief approaches early, set up radios ahead of time, and manage cockpit workload.