Instruments and Approaches

In general:

• 6 IFR procedures most instrument pilots rarely fly.
• Aeronautical Chart Users Guide (excellent resource).
• Bracketing the CDI. (R Machado) - technique for VOR/GPS course tracking.
• Briefs / Briefing:
• 4 items you should brief before every instrument departure.
• Errors/Mistakes:
• 3 COMMON mistakes made by instrument pilots.
• 3 of the most common mistakes pilots make on IFR flights.
• Common IFR approach mistakes to avoid. (Finer Points vid).
• FAA changes instrument rating cross country requirement.
• The XC with 3 different approaches does not imply (require) 3 different sources.
• IFR Insights: A practical approach. (Course by AOPA).
• IFR Quick-Review sheets (one of the best summaries of rules by Pilots Café)
• IFR Refresher. (COPA Vid).
• Instrument Cockpit Check / another version
• Instrument flying & nav tips from ATC Controller & CFI. (Sporty's vid)
• Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). See Flight Reviews.
• Instrument rating, how to get it and why you should.
• Logging time - log something to the effect of "Sim IMC w/ VLD for 61.129(a)(3)(i)". This will save people a headache down the road if they try to get a commercial rating.
• Lost Communication (IFR).
• Proficiency - 9 tips for staying IFR proficient.
• RCO vs GCO. (vid)
• Review questions by Fly the Wing.
• Runway selection: Why pick a runway with an ILS? (Vid 47 or Vid 103).
• Safety pilot - who can be one? (Vid 119).
• Seven habits for IFR approaches. (Flying Mag).
• Shortcuts every (instrument) pilot wants.
• Study Guides:
• Flight Insight study guide.
• Pilots Café has some great resources.
• Technique: how I set up for practice approaches from KFLY into KCOS.
• Terminal procedures (search at FAA) .
• The art of instrument approaches - 7 tips for proficient flying.
• Why do some airports have multiple RNAV approaches to the same runway? (Vid 39).
• Also see Pilot Tips of the Week.

Alternates:

• 6 factors to consider before picking an IFR alternate.
• Alternate fuel planning for IFR. (Vid 23).
• Can you file to an 'alternate not authorized' airport? (Vid 136).
• IFR alternate (weather) requirements. (Vid22 or Vid 83).
• Does alternate need a published approach? Why or why not?  Based on forecast.
• What are the approach requirements for an alternate?\
• What are the forecast requirements for alternate airport?  At ETA must be:
• 600' ceiling w/ 2 SM visibility (airports w/ precision approach)
• 800' ceiling w/ 2 SM visibility (airports w/ non-precision approach)
• When do you need an alternate?
• When WX at destination airport +/- 1 hour of ETA is forecast to be less than 2000’ ceiling and visibility is forecast to be less than 3 miles (123 rule)
• What constitutes a ceiling?  The lowest broken, overcast, or obscuration (not thin or partial) cloud layer
• Where do you find the non-standard alternate minimums? (checkride).

Altitudes, minimum (IFR) +

• 10 minimum IFR altitudes you should know.
• MAA – max authorized alt, marked with “MAA-“
• MCA – min crossing alt, min al at which to cross when proceeding to higher segment, marked with an “X” flag
• 150 FPNM (0-5K’ MSL); 120 FPNM (5K-10K’ MSL); 100 FPNM (10K’ MSL or above)
• MEA – min enroute alt, NAVAID reception & obstacle clearance (top number on route)
• Also see "Enroute / Climb / Descent" below.
• If MEA and MOCA exists, you can use MEA but not below MOCA.
• What is MEA and MOCA and the difference? (checkride)
• MEA (RNAV) – same but annotated with “G”, just below MEA
• MIA – min IFR alt, unless prescribed, 1K (non-mountain ) & 2k (mountain) clearance.
• MRA – min reception altitude, marked with “R” flag
• MOCA – min obstruction clearance alt, lowest to meet obstacle clearance and reception only to 22nm of VOR.  Marked with *
• MSA – min sector alt, min 1K obstacle clearance usually w/in 25nm
• MTA – min turn alt, provides obstacle clearance for both turn after and turn anticipation, marked with “MTA”. (Vid 30).
• MVA – min vectoring alt, for radar, the 1K & 2K clearance, can be lower than other alts (sometimes MRVA – min radar vector alt or ASMA – ATC surveillance min alt)
• OROCA – off route obstruction clearance alt, 1K obstacle clearance in non-mountainous and 2K in mountainous.  No signal guarantee.  The large numbers in grids. (sometimes MORA – min off route alt or Grid MORA)
• Minimum altitudes you may use for IFR Operations: (checkride)
• Except when necessary for takeoff / landing, minimum altitudes are:
• 2K’ above nearest obstacle w/in 4 NM of course (mountainous)
• 1K’ above nearest obstacle w/in 4 NM of course (non-mountainous)
• See also, Airspace and Altitude.

Approaches:

• AIM vs. ACS: Why do they use different definitions for a precision approach? (Vid 126).
• Altimeter setting - do you need it to start an approach? (Vid 10).
• Approach Categories
• A: < 90 KTS; B: 91-120 KTS; C: 121-140 KTS; D: 141-165 KTS; E: > 166 KTS
• Should you fly your next approach at Cat A, B or C minimums?
• Approach Lighting / Lights: see Airports and Lighting below.
• Approach Title:
• If procedure ends in "A, B, C..." there are multiple circling approaches.
• If procedure ends in "Z, Y, X..." there are multiple ST-IN approaches.
• How instrument procedures and fixes are named.
• Briefing:
• How to brief an approach, in 10 steps. (bm)
• PAIN MOM (my method, see Acronyms and Mnemonics)
• Seven habits for IFR approaches
• Charts / Plates
• Easily read instrument approach plates. (King)
• Knowledge Check/Quizzes:
• Can you fly the RNAV RWY 9 Approach into San Diego?
• The final approach fix for the precision...10Qs.
• The winds are favoring runway 12L... 5Qs.
• What does the 'A' inside the triangle mean? 6Qs.
• What does the circle... 6Qs.
• What does the 'T' inside the triangle... 6Qs.
• Why is 8000' marked... 6Qs.
• Why is the missed approach point RW05L... 5Qs.
• What is this number? 6Qs.
• What is this section of an approach chart... 6Qs
• Also see Charts below.
• Circling approaches
• Can you circle-to-land from an ILS glide slope?
• How to circle-to-land from an approach.
• How to fly a circling only approach.
• See Missed Approach below.
• DA (decision altitude) see Minimums below.
• Descent / Descent Rate:
• Dive and Drive: Fact or Fiction? Maybe both?
• I don’t use “dive & drive”, rather "step-downs with controlled (often higher) descents".
• What's the maximum safe descent rate on an instrument approach?
• DME (distance measuring equipment):
• Do you need to compensate for slant range when using GPS? (Vid 128).
• GPS vs. DME distance for IFR flying. or Vid 61.
• How DME works.
• Using actual DME on an approach.
• When can you use actual/real DME on an approach? Vid 100.
• Why do standalone DME facilities exist? (Vid 133).
• ILS/LOC:
• Back course:
• Can you use glideslope on a back course approach? (Vid 101).
• Flying a localizer back course. (Vid 38).
• Where are you located on the back course? (vid 55).
• If your right wing is on the shaded part of the feather, then steering is "right" (correct). If it's your left wing, steering is "wrong" or back course.
• Can you circle-to-land from an ILS glide slope?
• Course scalloping - what is it? (Vid 125).
• Critical area at non-towered airports. (Vid 112).
• Critical area, when should you hold short? Or Vid 135.
• False glideslope - how do you know if you're on one? (Vid 116).
• Final approach fix - where is it? Vid 40, Vid 96 or Vid 124.
• Also see Final Approach Segment below.
• GPS to LOC - when should you switch? (Vid 110).
• How to fly a perfect ILS approach. (bm).
• ILS - How it works.
• ILS on the chopping block? (IFR Article).
• Quizzes:
• The glideslope utilizes two frequency... 6Qs.
• What does the # symbol indicate... 6Qs
• Runways with an ILS - why you should use one. (Vid 47).
• Scale deflection for a localizer. (Vid 121).
• Unreliable ILS signal causes a missed approach.
• See also vertical guidance below.
• LDA (localizer directional aid)
• How an LDA works.
• Least common approaches - 7 of them and how they work.
• LOC (localizer) see ILS/LOC above.
• LP approach
• LPV and LNAV/RNAV, the differences:
• Is an LPV considered a precision approach? (Vid 108)
• They’re both GPS approaches with vertical guidance, but similarities end there.
• The difference between LPV & LNAV/VNAV approaches.
• See RNAV (GPS) Approaches below.
• MDA (decision altitude) see Minimums below.
• Minimums:
• DA vs. MDA: What's the difference? (or Vid 105)
• Decision altitude (DA) and decision height (DH) - the difference.
• GPS approach minimums. (King)
• Is obstacle clearance guaranteed below MDA or DA? (Vid 27 or Vid 45).
• Minimums, descending below :
• Can you use the approach lights to descend on a non-precision approach?
• Position to land, required visibility, runway environment (12).
• Runway (itself, markings, lights) = 3
• Threshold (itself, markings, lights) = 3
• Touchdown zone (itself, markings, lights) = 3
• Visual approach slope indicator
• Runway end identifier lights
• Red terminating bars or red side row bars (see below)
• The approach lights - allow you to descend to 100 feet above touchdown zone elevation (to find another reference) OR below 100 feet if the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable.
• To descent below mins and/or land, you need to see at least one of these...
• Version 1 or Version 2 or the list above.
• Missed approach and Missed approach point (MAP):
• 5 common mistakes made during IFR missed approaches.
• Can you fly a visual go-around on an instrument approach clearance?
• Do missed approaches always end in a hold? (Vid 114 or Vid 71).
• How to go missed from a circling approach.
• If on a visual approach under IFR, do you need to contact ATC immediately?
• Should you go missed if you fly past the VDP on an instrument approach?
• What if you go around after the MAP?
• Where's the missed approach point?  Visual descent point explained.
• PAR (Precision Approach Radar):
• How to fly a radar-guided approach.
• Plates (see charts / plates above)
• RNAV (GPS) Approaches:
• Difference between LPV and LNAV/VNAV.
• boldmethod and boldmethod live (Vid).
• Explanations by:  FAA.
• Remember, even with vertical guidance, and while using a DA (decision altitude), these are NOT considered precision approaches.  They are APVs (APproaches with Vertical guidance).  If you remember "guidance"/"glidepath" vs "glideslope", it will help separate these from precision approaches. RNAVs give glidepaths, while an ILS gives glideslope.
• LNAV - Lateral Navigation (uses an MDA)
• LNAV +V
• Only shows on your GPS (if able), not on plates.  The vertical glide path is advisory only…you still need to fly step-down altitudes and MDA.
• Why won't +V clear stepdowns in the summer? (Vid 25).
• Will +V guidance clear stepdown restrictions? (Vid 16)
• LNAV/VNAV - Lateral Navigation/Vertical Navigation (uses a DA)
• First GPS approaches with vertical guidance – designed for BARO-aided GPS.
• Do not have increasing angular guidance as you approach the runway.  They decrease to 0.3 nm sensitivity when w/in 2nm of FAF – all the way to MAP.
• The lowest they can go is 250’ above touchdown, but due to obstacles it’s often higher
• LP - Localizer Performance w/o Vertical Guidance (uses an MDA)
• LPV - Localizer Performance w/ Vertical Guidance (uses a DA)
• Uses WAAS/GPS, but NOT precision. They are APV (approach with vertical guidance).  BARO-aided GPS doesn’t suffice.
• They are more sensitive as you get closer and are about 700’ at the threshold (like an ILS), but they essentially turn linear after the threshold
• Can’t use precision alternate minimums.  You need WX that meets LNAV, circling or LNAV/VNAV DA
• Minimums - see above.
• RNAV and GPS: What's the difference?
• RNP, written "RNAV (RNP)", see below.
• Loading one in G1000 (see Equipment).
• Quizzes:
• You're 5 miles out proceeding direct... 6Qs.
• You're inbound from the northeast... 6Qs.
• You're inbound to Richmond... 6Qs.
• See also vertical guidance below.
• RNAV RNP approach (FAA page)
• RNAV (GPS) vs. RNAV (RNP). (Vid 129).
• When you see RNP in the approach label, it can be interpreted as 'authorization required' because in reality, any RNAV has some RNP.
• Why do RNAV (GPS) approaches say 'RNP' in the top-left? (Vid 14).
• RVR
• You must use 2400 RVR when RVR is not begin reported
• 2400 = 1/2 SM visibility
• Segments:
• Fly visual segment - what is it? (Vid 35 or Vid 98).
• Initial Approach Segment:
• This begins at the initial approach fix and ends where it joins the intermediate approach segment.
• Intermediate Approach Segment?
• This segment (normally aligned within 30 degrees of the runway) begins at the intermediate point and ends at the beginning of the final approach course.
• Final Approach Segment:
• For a precision approach, this begins where the glide slope is intercepted at the minimum glide slope intercept altitude shown on the approach chart;
• For a non-precision approach, this begins at either a designated Final Approach Fix (FAF) or at the point where you are established on the final approach course.
• Final Approach Fix vs. Final Approach Point. (Vid 115).
• When the FAF is not designated, such as where there is a VOR or NDB on the field of intended landing as published, the Final Approach Point (FAP) is where the procedure turn intersects the final approach course inbound.
• 5 ways to join final on an instrument approach.
• Should you ask to be 'cleared straight in'? (vid 44).
• Missed Approach Segment:
• The missed approach segment begins at the MAP and ends at a designated point.
• See also Missed Approach above.
• Stable Approaches:
• Criteria...
• All briefings and checklists have been actioned.
• Aircraft in planned landing configuration.
• Aircraft on correct flight path.
• Aircraft speed is between final approach speed +10 KIAS and VREF.
• Power setting is appropriate for the aircraft configuration.
• Procedures for stable approaches. (Flying mag).
• What makes an instrument approach unstable?
• Steep approach: Tips to manage a steep approach. (Vid 127).

• Stepdown altitudes:
• Do you need to meet them when going visual? (Vid 33, Vid 48, Vid 68, Vid 97).
• Stipple:
• Does it guarantee obstacle protection? (Vid 69).
• What is it? (Vid 11).
• Understanding GPS approaches (Pilot Workshop)
• Vectors / Vectors to Final:
• Cutting you loose – at the end of vectors.
• Visual approaches:
• 6 reasons why you should always back up a visual approach with an instrument approach.
• 6 tips for flying a great visual approach.
• Do you need to cancel IFR when flying a visual approach? (Vid 56 or Vid 131).
• Can VFR aircraft be cleared for a visual approach? (Vid 156).
• Charted Visual Approach.
• Flying visual approach at night safely.
• How to land from a visual approach.
• What are the requirements to fly a visual approach? (Vid 109).
• Will ATC clear VFR aircraft for a visual approach? (Vid 136).
• Visual Descent Point (VDP):
• Calculate your own VDP when an approach doesn't have one.
• Should you go missed if you fly past the VDP on an instrument approach?
• What is the VDP based on? (vid 41)
• Where's the missed approach point?  Visual descent point explained.
• VOR (own section below)

Arcs/Arching:

• Can you arc using GPS? (Vid 111).

Arrivals / STARS:

• Quiz: If you were going to file the... 6Qs.
• You're 'cleared for the ILS' at 10,000 feet on a STAR arrival. What now?

Charts:

• 4 of the least common IFR chart symbols.
• 7 rarely seen IFR chart symbols, and what you should know about them.
• 10 types of IFR routes published on enroute charts.
• Aeronautical Chart Users Guide (excellent resource).
• Currency - is my instrument chart current? (Vid 5).
• Quiz:
• This green line represents... 5Qs.
• What does the blue '8000G'... 5Qs.
• What does the route symbol next to the blue arrow... 6Qs.
• What does the zig-zag line... 5Qs.
• What is the green, dotted... 4Qs.
• What's the total mileage between navaids... 6Qs.
• You're planning to fly over the Hangtown... 6Qs.

Clearances:

• Dude, where’s my clearance?  The FAA wants you to call ATC directly...
• Getting an Amended IFR clearance.
• Getting an IFR clearance. (Vid 65).
• 7 ways to pick up your IFR clearance at a non-towered airport.
• How to pick up an IFR clearance.
• Should you ask to be 'cleared straight in'? (vid 44).
• VFR on Top clearance:
• How to use a 'VFR-On-Top' clearance.
• What is it? (Vid 53).
• VFR Over-The-Top:
• VFR over the top: Legal, but not clever.
• What are the requirements? (vid 68).
• Void Time - what is it?
• What is a cruise clearance? (Vid 134).  How to use a cruise clearance.

Departures:

• AIM: cross DER > 35’, 400’ before first turn, 200 FPNM until minimum IFR altitude*
• 200 FPNM = 233 FPM @ 60 GS, 267 @ 80, 300 @ 90
• * unless specified different (crossing alt, DP) turn @ higher altitude or @ fix
• Departure clearance from a Class C airport. (Vid 19).
• DPs and ODPs (ODPs are normally narrative)
• Obstacles w/in 1nm & < 200’ tall are “low close-in obstacles” and are generally NOT factored in ODP
• IFR departure from a towered airport.
• Minimum takeoff WX?  There isn’t, but a technique is highest published circling mins.
• ODPs
• Can you depart an airport under IFR if there's no SID or ODP? (Vid 52 or Vid 95).
• Can you depart IFR from an airport with no SID and no ODP?
• Do you have to fly the Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP)? (Vid 107).
• Flying an Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP). (Vid 99)
• Flying the Dalles One Departure (ODP). (vid 4),
• Quizzes:
• Standard Instrument Departures... 6Qs.
• SIDs (Standard Instrument Departures):
• Does a 'climb and maintain' clearance delete your crossing restrictions on a SID?
• Visual departures
• Should VFR departures contact clearance delivery? (vid)
• Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) under IFR - how to.

Enroute / Climb / Descent:

• Can you fly an airway using GPS? (Vid 130).
• Can you navigate a victor airway using GPS? (Vid 84).
• Descend Via:
• 15 questions about 'Descend Via' clearances...answered.
• You're given a 'descend via' clearance. How low can you go?
• If your airway MEA changes, when should you climb? (Vid 31, Vid 49 or Vid 82).
• When should you start a 'pilot's-discretion' descent?

Filing / Planning:

• Airports without approaches:
• Breaking it off. (Av Safety).
• You're flying IFR to an airport with no approach. Now what?
• Can you file to an 'alternate not authorized' airport? (Vid 58).
• Choosing acceptable IFR weather. (MzeroA Vid).
• Choosing the best IFR route. (PW Vid).
• Filing airways vs. filing airway fixes. (Vid 132).
• Filing in ForeFlight. See Electronic Flight Bags.
• Fuel:
• Alternate fuel planning for IFR. (Vid 23).
• Fuel planning for IFR flights. (Vid 9).
• Go or No Go: above or below the clouds? (Air Facts).
• Quiz: Preflight planning an IFR flight.
• What approach is in use at my destination? (Vid 10).
• What really matters to ATC in an IFR flight plan. (AF Vid).
• Would you go? MVFR conditions with a chance for icing.

GPS:

• As a system - see Systems / Equipment.
• In several places on this page.

Holding:

• Aircraft holding procedures, explained.
• Hold everything (long but good article about holding).
• Holding pattern entries, do they matter? (FP vid)
• How to enter a holding pattern.
• Memorize holding pattern entries for good.
• Quizzes:
• How far out from your holding fix... 6Qs.
• Standard holding patterns… 5Qs or 7Qs.
• You're planning to hold at 6,000' MSL... 5Qs.

Instrument Proficiency Course (IPC): see Flight Reviews.

Knowledge Check/Quizzes/Scenarios:

• IFR Challenge from Pilot Workshops:
• What would you do? Video 023033.
• What would you do? Video 04252024.
• Quizzes:
• Do you know your IFR NAVAIDs?
• For category 1 approaches... 6Qs.
• Unless ATC authorizes you otherwise... 6Qs.
• You're planning an IFR flight... 6Qa.
• You haven't done a VOR check... 5Qs.
• You're in an SR-22T 10 miles... 7Qs.
• Also see Regulations below.
• Would you go? IFR cross country into low ceilings and scattered storms.
• You're flying IFR to an airport with no instrument approach. Now what?

Lighting / Lights / Approach Lights: also see Airports.

• Approach lighting systems explained.
• How far out do PAPI lights guarantee obstacle protection? (Vid 176).
• Don't forget runway lights on instrument approaches. (Vid 17).

NAVAIDs: Navigational Aids

• Animated storyboard by the FAA.
• Quizzes:
• An ILS glide slope path... 6Qs.
• You're flying an ILS approach... 6 Qs.
• Why are there dashed lines through... 6Qs.
• The 9 most used aircraft NAVAIDs in history.
• These are physical devices on the ground that aircraft can detect and navigate toward.

Procedure Turns:

• Procedure turn and RNAV circling. (Air Facts vid).
• Procedure turns explained.
• Procedure turn fix altitude. (Vid 34).
• You won't fly a procedure turn when... (Vid 14 or Vid 18).
• What's a procedure turn fix altitude? (Vid 63)
• When can you start descending on a procedure turn? (Vid 43)
• When do I need to fly the procedure turn? (Vid 64 or Vid 123)
• When you DO NOT perform them (SHARPTT)

Radar:

• Primary and secondary radar + ADS-B. (vid)

Regulations:

• Quizzes: 
• Are these IFR scenarios right Or wrong?
• You are choosing an alternate... 5Qs.
• You're getting ready for an IFR cross country... 6Qs.
• You're planning an IFR flight with 45... 7Qs.
• When fuel planning under IFR... 5Qs.

RNAV (Area Navigation):

• RNAV and GPS: What's the difference?
• TAA: here it's Terminal Arrival Areas, not Technically Advanced Aircraft.
• TAA distance and bearing. (Vid 36).
• Tips for determining TAA distance and bearing.
• See RNAV (GPS) Approaches above.

Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs): see Departures above.

Vertical Guidance / VNAV:

• The four types of vertical guidance (Vid 7) in IFR flying (Vid 19).

VOR: +

• 7 things you should know about VOR navigation.
• Approach, VOR
• How VOR approaches work.
• How to use RNAV on a VOR approach. (vid).
• RNAV guidance on a VOR approach. (Vid 117).
• Checks (five)
• VOR test signal (VOT) +/- 4°
• Designated VOR system checkpoint on an airport +/- 4°
• Airborne checkpoint +/- 4°
• Prominent ground point along a selected radial +/- 6°
• Dual VOR check +/- 4°.
• Due every 30 days
• LOG: Each person making the VOR operational check shall enter the date, place, bearing error, and sign the aircraft log or other record
• How do you know where a VOR checkpoint is on the airport? What does it look like and how is it marked?
• Where is a VOT located on the airport?
• Finding your position with a VOR. (also helps with the written exam).
• Quiz:
• 5 questions to see how much you know about VORs.
• Types of VORs, and how to identify them.
• What are the different ways to check a VOR?
• VOT, designated airborne or ground check, radio to radio, and maintenance shop
• What is a VOT? And how is a VOR checkpoint and a VOT different?
• What is the maximum deviation for each type of check?
• What must be recorded when accomplishing a check?
• Name, date, place and bearing error
• Where can you find VOR checkpoints and VOTs?
• Why your VOR course doesn't match the GPS. Vid 120 or Vid 46. 
• VOR Navigation has changed, and you probably missed it.
• VOR Orienter - this will help you on the written.
• VOR check, how to do one before your next IFR flight.
• VOR simulator - great resource
• VOR to VOR on airways, how to do it w/o GPS.

Weather:

• 6 of the most hazardous weather conditions for IFR pilots.
• Quizzes:
• You're flying the ILS to runway 25... 6Qs.

Other Information:

• 7 of the most unique approaches in the US.

- FIG -