Basic Instruments

Question 1

What are ATIS/ASOS/AWOS/HIWAS

Answer 1

continuous weather reports transmitted over a discrete VHF / VOR frequency. Information / observations from ASOS, AWOS and ATIS also serves as a basic function needed to generate METAR reports

FIH provides information on what each report includes

Question 2

ATIS

Answer 2

normally receivable 20 - 60 nm

Time, ceiling, visibility, obstructions to visibility, temperature, dew point, wind direction/velocity, altimeter, runway in use, and other remarks

Question 3

ASOS/AWOS

Answer 3

ASOS - primary surface weather observing system in the US for small airports, uses several sensors around the airport to provide continuous minute by minute observations

AWOS - a smaller version of ASOS that consist normally of only one set of sensors located near the touch-down area of the primary instrument RWY

Question 4

Categorial Outlook Terms

Answer 4

VFR - greater than 3000 ft and 5 sm
MVFR - 1000 - 3000 ft ceilings 3 - 5 sm
IFR - 500 - < 1000 ft ceilings 1 - < 3 sm
LIFR < 500 ft ceilings < 1 sm

ceilings reported in AGL

Question 5

MOCA

Answer 5

minimum obstacle clearance altitude - lowest altitude along an established route which meets obstacle clearance for entire route & assures navigational reception within 22 nm of VOR

Question 6

MCA

Answer 6

minimum crossing altitude - lowest altitude at a fix which must cross when proceeding in the direction of a higher minimum en-route altitude

Question 7

MEA

Answer 7

minimum en-route altitude - lowest published altitude between fixes which assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and obstacle clearance between fixes

Question 8

MRA

Answer 8

minimum reception altitude - lowest altitude an intersection can be determined

Question 9

MIA

Answer 9

minimum IFR altitude - minimum altitude for IFR operations. Includes: MOCA, MEA, MCA, MSA, MVA… If no altitudes are listed then use 2000 ft over in mountainous and 1000 in non mountainous / 4 nm of course line

Question 10

MSA

Answer 10

minimum safe altitude - altitude that provides at least 1000 ft obstacle clearance for emergency use. Normally called emergency safe altitudes or min sector altitudes

Question 11

ESA

Answer 11

emergency safe altitude - depicted on approach charts, 2000 ft clearance mountainous 1000 ft non mountainous within 100 miles of facility. Used primary for military procedures

Question 12

MSA

Answer 12

minimum sector altitude - depicted on approach charts, provides 2000 ft clearance mountainous and 1000 ft non mountainous within 25 miles of facility. For emergency use only and do not necessarily assure acceptable navigational signal coverage

Question 13

MVA

Answer 13

minimum vectoring altitude - lowest altitude which may be used under emergency conditions which will provide 1000 ft obstacle Clarance within 25 mile of facility

Question 14

Compute ETE for destination

Answer 14

estimated time required enroute from departure AP to destination AP or last fix shown in route of flight exclusive of any planned delays. Allow sufficient time for departure and climb to flight altitude

Question 15

Compute ETE for Alternate

Answer 15

estimated time required enroute from MAP to the missed approach holding point one circuit in the holding pattern - then from the missed approach holding point to the alternate AP including approach and landing

Question 16

What is a straight in landing

Answer 16

a landing made on a RWY aligned within 30 degrees of the final approach course following completion of an Instrument Approach

Question 17

Clear for staring in approach / cleared for the approach

Answer 17

if cleared for straight in the pilot is. expected to continue with the published approach without performing a course reversal / PT.

If cleared for the approach the pilot is expected to perform the course reversal / PT and then continue with the published approach

Question 18

how is the final approach fix designated on charts

Answer 18

the FAF is a fix from which the final approach to the AP is executed and which identifies the beginning of the final approach segment.

A Maltese cross is the symbol for non precision approaches

A lightning Bolt is the symbol for precision approaches

Question 19

NOTAMS

Answer 19

time - critical aeronautical information of either temporary nature or not sufficiently known in advance to permit publication on charts / pubs. This information is essential for enroute, terminal, or landing operations that could affect a pilot’s decision to make a flight.

Question 20

IFR cruising altitudes

Answer 20

MC 0 - 179 odd thousands
MC 180 - 359 even thousands

VFR altitude add 500 ft

Question 21

Special Use Airspace - Prohibited

Answer 21

prohibited from flying through due to national security

Question 22

Special Use Airspace - Restricted

Answer 22

restricted from flying through due to invisible hazards

Question 23

Special Use Airspace - Warning

Answer 23

3 nm outside designed to Warn you of potential hazards to a nonparticipating aircraft

Question 24

Special Use Airspace - Alert Area

Answer 24

designed to alert you to wrest that may contain a high volume of pilot training

Question 25

Special Use Airspace - MOA

Answer 25

established for the purpose of separating certain types of military training activities from IFR traffic

Question 26

Special Use Airspace - Nat'l Security Area

Answer 26

established for increased security and safety of a ground facility. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid NSA's

Question 27

Instrument Departure Procedures

Answer 27

Diverse Departure Procedure - cross departure end of RWY at 35 ft AGL minimum climb gradient of 200 ft/nm if 60 kts climb 400 ft AGL before making any turns

Question 28

Obstacle Departure Procedure

Answer 28

designed to provide obstacle clearance and transition from terminal area to appropriate enroute structure

Question 29

Standard Instrument Departure

Answer 29

designed for system enhancement and to reduce pilot/s controller workload

Question 30

how long does the weather forecast last

Answer 30

1 hr 30 minutes

Question 31

4 times you can not educe visibility by 50%

Answer 31

flying faster than 90 kts copter approaches reduction of visibility below 1/4 sm approach plate starts visibility reduction by helicopter NA

Question 32

when can an aircraft be flown below the published MDA or DA

Answer 32

the approach threshold of the runway must be clear visible the aircraft must be in a safe position to complete the landing

Question 33

VFR exception rule

Answer 33

MEA - field elevation + basic cloud clearance round up to nearest 100 add airspace visibility

Question 34

Approach speed categories

Answer 34

A - 90 kts or less B - 91 kts to 120 kts C - 121 kts to 140 kts

Question 35

Procedure Turn not required

Answer 35

``` No PT Radar Vector Cleared Straight in Approach Tear Drop PT depicted and course reversal required Procedure Turn Barb Holding Pattern ```

Question 36

What are normal usable distance for L-VORs and T-VORs , ILS?

Answer 36

Low - VORs = 40 nm ILS/LOC = 18 nm Terminal VORs = 25 nm Glide Slope = 10 nm

Question 37

upon reaching a holding fix or point to which cleared, what information will ATC expect you to provide without request

Answer 37

Time, altitude when reaching fix or point which cleared

Question 38

Can you file to an airport? 1 - 3 -6

Answer 38

Destination weather at ETA through one hour Radar Navaids Unmonitored 400/1 plus predominate ``` Alternate Radar Navaid unmonitored A N/A Control Airspace GPS ```

Question 39

lost comms

Answer 39

``` Route Assigned Vectored Expected Filed ``` Altitude (Highest) MIA Expected Assigned

Question 40

Class A

Answer 40

IFR Only Mode C Transponder required, Two - way Commo 48 contiguous states plus Alaska within 12 NM 18,000 MSL three FL 600

Question 41

Class B

Answer 41

3 SM / Clear of Clouds Mode C Transponder within 30 NM, ATC clearance, two - way combo SFC - 10,000 MSL or as depicted need clearance prior to entering

Question 42

Class C

Answer 42

3 Sm / 500 Below, 1000 Above, 2000 Horizontal Mode C Transponder within or above, two way comms required, and acknowledgement 5 nm inner core SFC - 4000 AGL / 10 nm outer shelf 1200 AGL - 4000 AGL

Question 43

Class D

Answer 43

3 Sm / 500 Below, 1000 Above, 2000 Horizontal SFC to 2,500 AGL Two way comms required When closed will covert to E - SFC or G - SFC

Question 44

Class E

Answer 44

Above 10,000 MSL 5 Sm / 1000 Below, 1000 Above, 1 SM Horizontal Below 10,000 MSL 3 Sm / 500 Below, 1000 Above, 2000 Horizontal

Question 45

Class G Above 1200 AGL

Answer 45

Above 10,000 MSL 5 SM / 1000 Below, 1000 Above, 1 SM Horizontal Below 10,000 MSL 1 SM Day / 3 SM Day 500 Below 1000 Above 2000 Horizontal

Question 46

Class G Below 1200 AGL

Answer 46

Regardless of MSL 1/2 SM Day / 1 SM Night Clear of Clouds

Question 47

Categories of Airspace

Answer 47

Regulatory - A, B, C, D, E, Prohibited, Restricted Nonregulatory - All other - G, MOA's, Warning Areas, Alert Areas, CFA's, etc....

Question 48

Types of Airspace

Answer 48

Controlled Uncontrolled Special Use Other Airspace

Question 49

Mode C Transponder required when

Answer 49

``` Within Class A Within 30 NM of Class B Within or above all Class C At or above 10,000 ft MSL (except airspace below 2500' AGL) Operations within, across, or into ADIZ ```

Question 50

Transponder Operations (Special Codes)

Answer 50

``` 1200 VFR Flight 4000 Military Restricted / Warning Area 7500 Hijack 7600 Lost Commo 7700 Emergency 7777 Military Interceptor Operations ```

Question 51

Special Use Airspace

Answer 51

``` Prohibited Restricted Warning Alert Area MOA Control Firing Area National Security Area ```

Question 52

Other Airspace Areas

Answer 52

``` Airport Advisory Areas Published VFR Routes Temporary Flight Restrictions TRSA Military Training Routes Parachute Jump Area ADIZ ```

Question 53

What is a VOR

Answer 53

Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range if underlined means no voice accuracy of course alignment +/- 1 degree but no more than 2.5 degree VHF frequencies

Question 54

What is a TACAN

Answer 54

Tactical Air Navigation provides display of range information, DME - provides continuous slant range distance UHF frequencies

Question 55

Instruments TC

Answer 55

TC 3-04.5

Question 56

What is a VORTAC

Answer 56

VOR and TACAN provides VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth, and TACAN distance (DME) frequency pairing information in the FIH

Question 57

What is DME

Answer 57

Distance Measuring Equipment - line of sight principle - frequencies UHF - if TACAN equipped will receive distance if not need DME equipment

Question 58

GPS

Answer 58

3 segments - space, control, user check for restrictions in FLIP, GP, Area Plannng four satellites

Question 59

ILS / VOR cones

Answer 59

ILS 2.5 on either side of center line.