BDCA Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam flashcards
BDCA Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- IFR cruising level rule
- For magnetic tracks 000-179 degrees use odd thousands; for 180-359 degrees use even thousands. This separates opposing traffic in controlled airspace.
- Alternate aerodrome requirement
- An alternate is required unless the destination has an approved instrument approach and forecast weather permits descent from MDA or DA and landing in visual conditions.
- Lost communication procedure
- Continue on the last assigned route and altitude, or the minimum safe altitude, then follow the published lost-communication procedure and land at a suitable aerodrome.
- Groundspeed calculation
- Groundspeed equals true airspeed plus tailwind component or minus headwind component. Time en route equals distance divided by groundspeed.
- Fuel planning formula
- Total fuel equals trip fuel plus reserve plus alternate fuel plus contingency. Reserve fuel is not available for normal route planning.
- Holding pattern entries
- Entry type depends on the aircraft bearing to the holding fix: direct, parallel, or teardrop. Standard holds use right-hand turns.
- VOR radial tracking
- A centered CDI with a TO indication means the selected radial leads to the station. Reverse sensing occurs when tracking a radial behind the station.
- DME slant range
- DME measures slant range, not ground distance. Error is greatest directly overhead and decreases as distance from the station increases.
- RAIM prediction
- Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring must be available for GPS approaches. If RAIM is unavailable, another means of navigation or an alternate is required.
- Decision altitude versus MDA
- Precision and APV approaches use a decision altitude requiring immediate missed approach if no visual reference. Non-precision approaches use a minimum descent altitude.
- Missed approach point
- The MAP is where a missed approach must begin if the required visual reference is not established. Do not turn before the MAP unless published.
- Approach category Vat
- Approach category is based on Vat, which is 1.3 times the stall speed in landing configuration. Category determines published minima.
- Supercooled liquid water
- Water droplets remain liquid below 0 C and freeze on impact with the airframe. Freezing rain indicates severe icing potential.
- Microburst response
- A microburst causes rapid airspeed loss and sink. Execute a go-around immediately and do not attempt to outclimb the downdraft.
- High to low look out below
- Flying from high pressure to low pressure without resetting the altimeter places the aircraft lower than indicated. Reset the altimeter to the local setting.
- Time of useful consciousness
- At FL350, useful consciousness lasts roughly 30 to 60 seconds without supplemental oxygen. Hypoxia impairs judgment before symptoms are noticed.
- Spatial disorientation
- Vestibular illusions conflict with actual aircraft attitude. Trust the flight instruments and cross-check to maintain control.
- Threat and error management
- TEM identifies threats before flight, errors during flight, and undesired aircraft states. Countermeasures include briefings, checklists, and monitoring.
- Blocked pitot tube
- A blocked pitot tube causes the airspeed indicator to behave like an altimeter, increasing in climb and decreasing in descent.
- Blocked static port
- A blocked static port causes the altimeter to freeze and the airspeed indicator to over-read in climb and under-read in descent.
- Standard rate turn
- A standard rate turn is 3 degrees per second, completing 360 degrees in two minutes. The turn coordinator indicates rate and coordination.
- Magnetic compass errors
- Variation is geographic, deviation is aircraft-induced, and dip errors occur during acceleration and turns in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Turbine engine limits
- Monitor EGT, ITT or TGT, N1, N2, and fuel flow. Exceeding any limit requires immediate corrective action and a report.
- Density altitude effect
- High altitude and high temperature reduce air density, decreasing thrust and climb performance. Account for density altitude in takeoff planning.
- Minimum control speed Vmc
- Vmc is the minimum airspeed at which directional control can be maintained with one engine inoperative. Maintain Vmc or above during engine-out flight.
- Emergency transponder codes
- Squawk 7500 for hijack, 7600 for radio failure, and 7700 for emergency. These codes alert ATC to the nature of the situation.
- ADS-B Out function
- ADS-B Out broadcasts position, altitude, and velocity to ATC and other aircraft. It requires valid GPS and certified transponder equipment.
- TCAS resolution advisory
- A resolution advisory directs an immediate maneuver to avoid traffic. Follow the RA promptly and notify ATC of the deviation.
- Sterile cockpit rule
- No non-essential conversation or activity below 10,000 feet or during critical phases such as taxi, takeoff, approach, and landing.
- IFR clearance readback
- Read back altitude assignments, runway assignments, hold short instructions, and route clearances. 'Roger' does not confirm a clearance.
- Minimum safe altitude
- MSA is normally 1000 feet above the highest obstacle within 25 nautical miles of the reference point, providing terrain clearance for emergency use.
- PAPI glidepath indication
- PAPI shows red over white on glidepath, white over white too high, and red over red too low. It provides visual vertical guidance on approach.