Instrument Rating and IFR
Flight Planning
Tailwinds Flying Club
Winter Safety Session – 2009
Instrument Rating
Pilot and Plane Requirements
“I fly VFR, why do I need to know IFR requirements?”
Low ceilings and visibility, which can catch pilots unaware or lure pilots to
fly further, are the most deadly killers.
- AOPA Air Safety Foundation
VFR into IMC accounted for 87.5 percent of all fatal weather accidents in
SEF (single engine fixed gear) aircraft. Most of these accidents could
have been avoided had the pilot reversed course at the first recognition
of instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), or not departed at all.
2004 Nall Report
Instrument Rating
You and Tailwinds Flying Club
• Safer pilot
• Personal life insurance, when available, provides discounts
for pilots with IFR ratings
• The club encourages continued training and certifications
– Club instructors less expensive then typical training schools
– Use of club planes
Instrument Rating
Pilot and Plane Requirements
FAR 61.65 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
GENERAL
• Must hold at least a current private pilot certificate
• Be able to read, speak, write the English language
• Receive and log ground training on the aeronautical knowledge areas
• Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying
the pilot is ready to take the required knowledge test
• Receive and log flight training on the areas of operation
• Endorsement from an authorized instructor that the pilot is prepared to
take the required practical test
• Pass the required practical and knowledge tests
The pilot must meet the aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency as
required by parts (b) (c)
Instrument Rating
Pilot and Plane Requirements
FAR 61.65
• 50 hours cross-country flight time as PIC
• 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of
operation per FAR 61.65 (d) (i) (ii) (iii)
– 15 hours instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft
category for which the instrument rating is sought;
– 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the instrument rating sought
from an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within 60 days
preceding the date of the test;
– Instrument training on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one
cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under IFR, and consists of • A distance of at least 250 nm along airways or ATC-directed routing
• Instrument approach at each airport
• Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems
• Part (e) relates to the use of flight simulators or flight training device
Instrument Rating
Pilot and Plane Requirements
FAR 91.201 (b) (c) (d)
(b) Visual-flight rules (day) – Instruments required
• AI, Altimeter, Magnetic DI, Tachometer, Oil pressure, Temperature
gauge, Manifold pressure, fuel, landing gear (if retractable), safety belts
(shoulder harness for front seats), documents (AROW), anti-collision
lights
(c) Visual-flight rules (night)
• Instruments and equipment specified for day VFR plus; position lights,
landing light, source of electrical energy
(d) Instrument flight rules
• Instruments and equipment specified above plus; two-way radio,
gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator, slip-skid indicator, adjustable
barometric pressure sensitive altimeter, clock (display hour, minutes,
and seconds), generator/alternator, gyroscopic pitch and bank
indicator, gyroscopic direction indicator
Instrument Rating
Club Airplanes
• All of the club airplanes are instrument rated
• Garmin GNS 430
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Flight plans
Current approach procedures
Nearest airports includes approaches
Frequency lists (departure, enroute, or arrival)
• Auto-pilot
– Archer
– Arrow
– Six
IFR Weather
Weather Effects
Weather effects you need to understand
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Icing
Snow showers
Thunderstorms
Temperature inversions
Fast-moving fronts producing high winds
Fog
Be aware of changes in the weather before and during
your flight
Listen to your inner voice and know your minimums
IFR Weather
Weather Sources
Preflight
• Online
– AOPA Weather
(www.AOPA.com)
– DTN – Meteorlogix
(http://aviation.dtn.com)
– ADDS –
(http://adds.aviationweat
her.noaa.gov)
• FSS (800.992.7433)
• FBO – Valters Aviation
(www.valtersaviation.com)
• ASOS (STP – 651.298.1410)
In flight
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FSS – 122.2
AWOS (21D – 120.075)
ATIS – (STP – 118.35)
Enroute: 122.0
Tower
ATC
HIWAS (MSP Gopher 117.3)
IFR Flight Planning
21D – Lake Elmo Airport
Approved approaches and arrival charts
IFR Flight Planning
What are the take-off minimums for Lake Elmo Airport?
IFR Flight Planning
Destination and Alternate Airports
Destination Airport
Alternate
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Approach charts
Frequencies
Topography
Obstructions
Runway(s) visual aids
Towered / non-towered
How far – 45 min.
Runway(s)
Obstructions
Weather
ATIS / AWOS / ASOS
Frequencies
Make sure the alternate is a good choice
before you go there
IFR Flight Planning
IFR Check List
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8.
Charts, plates, clipboard
(kneeboard), 2 pencils
Copy ATIS – AWOS
Altimeter within 75 feet
DG set
Check fluid level in
magnetic compass
Attitude indicator set
VSI showing ‘0’ rate
Pitot heat check – ammeter
deflected
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15.
Marker beacons on and
tested – lights, speaker, test
GPS/VORs currently tested
and logged
Set GPS/VOR frequencies
ADF test – set to 0 degrees,
swing needle, listen
Alternate static air check
for deflections in
instruments
Check time and set
Call for taxi and clearance
IFR Training
Instruction and Practice
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Use the club’s instructors
Fly with/as a safety pilot
Take online courses
Use flight simulators
Fly practice approaches
Practice IFR flight planning
Thanks!
Questions?