Instrument Rating IR(A) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

IR(A) definition

An instrument rating for aeroplanes that permits the holder to fly under IFR, issued under Part-FCL Subpart B after completing an approved course and passing the skill test.

IR(A) theoretical subjects

Seven subjects: Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge, Flight Planning and Monitoring, Human Performance, Meteorology, Radio Navigation, and IFR Communications; each requires a 75% pass mark.

IR(A) skill test content

Includes pre-flight, departure, en-route IFR, precision and non-precision approaches, missed approach, circling approach where applicable, and abnormal/emergency procedures under IFR.

IR(A) recency rule

Within the preceding 12 months the pilot must have completed 3 IFR departures, 3 IFR arrivals and 3 instrument approaches, or a proficiency check, to retain IR privileges.

IR proficiency check validity

A proficiency check for the IR(A) is valid for 12 months and may be combined with a type rating check if the examiner is authorised for both.

CB-IR route

Competency-based instrument rating allowing reduced training (minimum 40 hours instrument time, up to 10 in an FSTD) for experienced pilots meeting Part-FCL Appendix 6 prerequisites.

Examiner certificate validity

Under Part-FCL Subpart K, examiner certificates are valid for 3 years and require initial and recurrent standardisation training plus competent authority oversight.

IRE(A) authorisation

An Instrument Rating Examiner (aeroplanes) authorised to conduct IR(A) skill tests and proficiency checks, holding a valid examiner certificate and standardisation record.

IR(A) medical class

Commercial IR privileges require a Class 1 medical certificate; private IR privileges require at least a Class 2 certificate, both issued under Part-MED.

Class 1 validity under 40

For single-pilot commercial operations, a Class 1 medical certificate is valid for 12 months for applicants under 40 years of age.

Class 1 validity age 40-59

A Class 1 medical certificate is valid for 6 months for applicants aged 40 to 59 exercising single-pilot commercial IR privileges.

Class 2 validity

A Class 2 medical certificate is valid for 24 months for applicants under 40 and 12 months for applicants aged 40 and above.

Colour vision requirement

IR(A) applicants must have normal colour vision or pass an approved colour vision test such as the CAD or Holmes-Wright lantern to interpret instrument and chart colour coding.

Class 1 ECG requirement

A normal ECG is required at initial Class 1 examination and periodically thereafter, including at ages 40, 50, 60 and annually after age 60.

Class 1 visual acuity

Distant visual acuity of at least 6/9 in each eye separately, with or without correction, and near acuity of at least N5 at 30-50 cm.

Hearing standard Class 1

Hearing must be sufficient for safe performance, assessed by audiometry including speech discrimination in quiet and with background noise; a hearing aid assessment may be required.

Disqualifying medications

Psychoactive substances and medications impairing cognitive or psychomotor performance are disqualifying for IR privileges unless an approved waiver is granted by the licensing authority.

Expired medical effect

A pilot must not act as PIC under IFR without a valid medical certificate appropriate to the operation; expiry suspends IR privileges until renewed.

FSTD qualification basis

FSTDs used for IR(A) training must be qualified by the competent authority under CS-FSTD(A) for aeroplanes, with the qualification level determining permitted training credits.

FNPT II definition

A Flight Navigation Procedure Trainer Level II qualified for instrument procedure training, permitting up to 20 hours of IR(A) training credit including instrument approaches.

FFS level C or D use

A Full Flight Simulator level C or D may be used for the entire IR(A) skill test, including approach and missed approach, if qualified for the manoeuvres and the examiner is authorised.

Maximum FSTD credit

Up to 30 hours of the required IR(A) instrument flight time may be completed in an FFS or FNPT II, and up to 10 hours in an FNPT I or FTD.

FNPT I credit limit

An FNPT Level I or Flight Training Device may be credited for a maximum of 10 hours towards the IR(A) instrument flight time requirement.

FSTD recurrent evaluation

FSTD qualification certificates are time-limited (typically 12 months) and require periodic recurrent evaluations by the competent authority to confirm continued compliance.

FSTD validation data

Objective evidence of FSTD fidelity, including validation data and motion/visual system performance, must be retained by the operator and provided to the authority on request.

ATO FSTD approval

Use of an FSTD for IR(A) training requires operation under the ATO's approval and an instructor holding the appropriate rating with FSTD instructional privileges.

Skill test in aeroplane

Unless the competent authority approves otherwise, the IR(A) skill test must include at least one instrument approach conducted in the aeroplane rather than solely in an FSTD.

FTD levels 1-3

Flight Training Devices levels 1 to 3 are qualified under CS-FSTD(A) for defined training credits, with higher levels permitting greater credit towards IR(A) instrument time.

FFS levels A-D

Full Flight Simulators are qualified at levels A to D; higher levels (C and D) permit broader use for IR(A) training and checking including skill tests.

IR(A) course completion

Applicants must hold a certificate of completion of an approved IR training course issued by an ATO before taking the IR(A) skill test.

Night rating prerequisite

Applicants for the IR(A) must hold at least a PPL(A) with night rating privileges before commencing IR training.

Combined IR and type check

An IR(A) proficiency check may be combined with a type rating check when the examiner is authorised for both and the device or aircraft supports both checks.