IFR Preflight
Preflight info required for IFR
W.K.R.A.F.T
- weather (reports and forecast)
- known traffic delays
- runway lengths
- alternates
- fuel requirements
- takeoff and landing performance
Life cycle of a thunderstorm
- cumulous
- mature
- dissipating
Surface analysis chart
Generated from surface station reports, Shows pressure systems, isobars, fronts, airmass boundaries, issued every 3 hours, valid for 6
Static port blockage - Airspeed indicator
At higher altitudes airspeed will indicate lower than it should. At lower altitudes – higher than it should.
What is needed to act as PIC?
flight review every 24 cal months
Types of hypoxia
- hypoxic = insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain
- hypemic = Inability of the blood to carry the O2 molecules (carbon monoxide poisoning)
- histotoxic = caused by drugs or alcohol
- stagnant = caused by blood not flowing well through the body (excess G's)
Weather depiction chart
generated from surface station observations, depicts VFR Marginal IFR, issued every 3 hours
Static port blockage - altimeter
will freeze on the altitude where it was blocked
Min. aeronautical experience required for an airplane instrument rating
- 50 hours XC PIC
- 40 hours actual or simulated instrument time
- XC of 250 nm, along airway directed by ATC, 3 approach at diff airports, on IFR flight plan
Oxygen Requirements
12,500 - 14,000 = crew supplemental oxygen for 30 mins
14,000 = crew supplemental oxygen used for entire flight
15,000 = each occupant provided with oxygen for entire flight
Radar summary chart
Depicts precipitation type, intensity, coverage, movement, echoes, and maximum tops. Issued hourly
Static port blockage - VSI
freezes at 0
IFR alternate rule
1-2-3 rule
1 hour before to 1 hour after flight
2000ft ceilings
3sm vis
Both air inlet and drain hole are clogged
airspeed indicator will act as an altimeter
Low level significant weather chart
Forecasts significant weather conditions for a 12 and 24 hour period from the surface to 24,000 ft, issued 4 times a day
- red = ceilings less than 1000ft and vis less 3 miles
- dark blue = ceilings 1000-3000ft vis 3-5 miles
- orange =turbulence
- teal dashed = freezing level above mean sea level
- teal wavy = freezing level at surface
when using alternate static source is used
Airspeed indicator – indicate faster than it should.
Altimeter – indicate higher than it should.
VSI – momentarily show a climb.
True airspeed, mach number, ground speed
true airspeed Actual speed through the air. EAS corrected for nonstandard temperature and pressure, mach number is the ratio of TAS to the local speed of sound, ground speed actual speed over the ground. TAS corrected for wind conditions
Indicated airspeed
Calibrated airspeed
Equivalent airspeed
indicated is airspeed indicated on airspeed indicator, calibrated is IAS corrected for position and instrument errors, equivalent is CAS corrected for compressibility
High-level significant weather charts
Depicts forecasts of significant weather phenomena for FL250 to FL630, issued 4 times a day
- red = thunderstorms and cumulonimbus clouds
- yellow = moderate or severe turbulence
- straight green arrow = jetstreams (80kt and above depicted)
- green arrow with no barbs = Jet Depth
- green hash marks = each pair indicates successive 20kt wind speed changes referenced to Jet Max
Ram air inlet blocked - drain hole open
Airspeed will drop to zero