instrument rating
What is the minimum instrument flight experience required before applying for an instrument rating
50 hours cross-country PIC and 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time
What is the minimum age for an unrestricted ATP certificate?
23 years old.
How long is a first-class medical valid for a pilot under 40?
12 months.
What does “cold temperature correction” mean in IFR operations?
Adjusting altitudes upward in cold weather because true altitude is lower than indicated altitude.
What are the required entries for logging PIC time?
Date, total time, location or route, aircraft type/ID, and conditions (day/night, instrument).
Name three components required for an instrument approach procedure to be published.
Navigation facility, missed approach segment, and obstacle clearance data.
How many total flight hours are required for a standard ATP?
1,500 total hours.
What color vision test alternatives are acceptable to the FAA if a pilot fails the Ishihara test?
Farnsworth Lantern (FALANT), Dvorine, or operational color signal light test.
What is the maximum allowable deviation from course when using a VOR at 30 NM?
±4° (4 NM off course at 60 NM, so 2 NM at 30 NM).
How long must a pilot keep logbook records used to prove currency for an FAA checkride?
Indefinitely
When performing a holding pattern at 14,000 feet MSL, what is the standard inbound leg time?
1 minute 30 seconds.
Under Part 121, what is the maximum flight time allowed in 24 consecutive hours for a two-pilot crew?
8 hours flight time (unless augmented crew).
Name three disqualifying conditions for any class of medical certificate.
Epilepsy, bipolar disorder, substance dependence, or severe cardiac disease
Explain the purpose of the ISA deviation and how it affects true altitude in cold weather.
Deviation from International Standard Atmosphere affects air density; colder-than-standard air lowers true altitude.
Under what condition can simulated instrument time not be logged toward currency or ratings?
If no safety pilot is present or not acting as a required crewmember.
During an ILS approach, at what point are you considered to have gone below “decision altitude”?
When the aircraft’s main gear passes below DA, not when the altimeter first indicates it.
What are the PIC cross-country and night hour minimums for ATP eligibility?
500 hours cross-country and 100 hours night.
What is a Special Issuance Authorization and how often must it be renewed?
It’s a time-limited medical approval for a disqualifying condition; typically renewed annually or per FAA-specified interval.
How does coffin corner relate to Mach buffet and stall buffet at high altitude?
It’s the narrow band where critical Mach number (shockwave onset) and stall speed converge — leaving almost no safe speed margin.
When logging approaches for IFR currency, what conditions must be met for the approach to count?
Must be flown to published minimums (or MDA/DA), under actual/simulated IMC, and under ATC or safety pilot observation.
Explain the difference between RAIM and WAAS integrity monitoring systems and how each affects GPS-based IFR navigation.
RAIM uses internal GPS satellites to detect signal errors; WAAS provides external correction via ground and geostationary satellites, allowing LPV and higher accuracy.
Explain the difference between the ATP-CTP course and the ATP written exam.
ATP-CTP is a prerequisite course (ground + simulator) focusing on high-altitude, turbine, and crew ops; the written exam tests knowledge for the ATP certificate.
Explain the difference between a CACI and a SI authorization.
CACI (Conditions AME Can Issue) are pre-approved manageable conditions AMEs can issue directly; SI (Special Issuance) requires FAA review and periodic reauthorization.
Describe how Coriolis illusion and somatogravic illusion differ in IFR flight.
Coriolis = head movement during turn causes false pitch/roll sensation; Somatogravic = rapid acceleration feels like pitch-up, often after takeoff.
Explain the FAA’s stance on electronic logbooks — what makes them legally valid?
Must include the same info as paper logs and be able to produce a reliable printed copy; digital signature or printout accepted for verification.