Instrument Flight Procedures and IFR Operations
This domain tests how you fly the IFR system: departure, enroute, holding, approach, missed approach and altimetry, with emphasis on procedure design and stabilised operation.
Procedure structure
A flight uses SID, enroute, STAR and approach segments. Minimum sector altitude gives 1,000 ft clearance (2,000 ft in mountainous terrain). Holds are standard right turns, with 1-minute legs at or below 14,000 ft and 1.5 minutes above. Respect procedure-turn, hold and approach speed limits.
Approaches and missed approach
Distinguish precision approaches (ILS, LPV) with a DA from non-precision approaches with an MDA. Fly the published track, check the final approach fix, and be stabilised by the operator's gate. At DA or MDA, either land with the required visual reference or go around; the standard missed approach climb gradient is 2.5%.
Altimetry and speed control
Set QNH below the transition altitude and standard pressure above it. Apply cold-temperature correction to minima and terrain clearance. At 3°, the height lost is about 318 ft/NM, and the required rate is approximately groundspeed × 5.
Worked example
At 140 kt groundspeed on a 3° glideslope, required rate is 140 × 5 = 700 ft/min. From the FAF at 2,500 ft to a DA of 500 ft is 2,000 ft, or about 6.3 NM at 318 ft/NM, taking about 2.7 minutes.
Marks-losing traps
Descending below MDA without the visual reference; using DA for a non-precision approach; ignoring cold-temperature correction; turning too wide in circling; misidentifying the hold entry.