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Quiz: Can You Answer These 5 IFR Checkride Questions?

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Good luck!


  1. 1) Your NAV 2 radio fails while you're en-route on an IFR flight plan. You're in visual conditions, and it looks like you will be for the remainder of the flight. You're using GPS, and don't plan on using your NAV 2 radio for the flight. Do you need to notify ATC?

    You need to inform ATC.  FAR 91.187 requires you to tell ATC about any navigational, approach or communications equipment malfunction.  Just tell them it won't affect your flight.

    You need to inform ATC.  FAR 91.187 requires you to tell ATC about any navigational, approach or communications equipment malfunction.  Just tell them it won't affect your flight.

  2. 2) You've entered icing conditions, your static heat fails, and your static ports ice over. Your pitot tube remains clear. ATC clears you to descend. How will your airspeed read?

    It happens like this: your airspeed indicator compares dynamic (ram) pressure from the pitot tube against static pressure from your static ports.  If you start to descend and your static ports are clogged, the static pressure in your airspeed indicator will be lower than the surrounding air, and the airspeed will read faster than you're actually flying, because there's not enough static pressure to offset the ram air.

    It happens like this: your airspeed indicator compares dynamic (ram) pressure from the pitot tube against static pressure from your static ports.  If you start to descend and your static ports are clogged, the static pressure in your airspeed indicator will be lower than the surrounding air, and the airspeed will read faster than you're actually flying, because there's not enough static pressure to offset the ram air.

  3. 3) You're instructed to hold at 14,000' MSL. What's your maximum holding speed?

    When you're above 6,000' MSL and at or below 14,000' MSL, you're limited to 230 KIAS in a holding pattern - unless you receive an exception from ATC.

    When you're above 6,000' MSL and at or below 14,000' MSL, you're limited to 230 KIAS in a holding pattern - unless you receive an exception from ATC.

  4. 4) Why does Cascade Approach Control have a star (*) by its frequency?
    View FAA Chart

    The star means approach control operates part-time.

    The star means approach control operates part-time.

  5. 5) If your attitude indicator fails in flight, can you hang your flashlight from the visor to tell if you're banking left or right, assuming you stay coordinated?

    Unfortunately, this just doesn't work. As long as you're coordinated, the flashlight will hang straight down. Give it a try on your next flight (in VMC, of course).

    Unfortunately, this just doesn't work. As long as you're coordinated, the flashlight will hang straight down. Give it a try on your next flight (in VMC, of course).

That could have gone better, but we're happy you tried it!

You scored % Better luck next time.

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You scored: %

Nice work. That wasn't easy, and you nailed it.

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Corey Komarec

Corey is an Airbus 320 First Officer for a U.S. Major Carrier. He graduated as an aviation major from the University of North Dakota, and he's been flying since he was 16. You can reach him at corey@boldmethod.com.

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