BY PILOTS, FOR PILOTS
At‑a‑Glance
Overview
Extremely knowledgeable and professional examiner. Started with IFR regulations and moved systematically through approach procedures. Very thorough on missed approach procedures and alternate requirements. Flight portion was challenging but fair — she creates realistic scenarios and expects precise flying. Strong emphasis on proper clearance compliance and communication with ATC.
Oral — Topics & Prompts
- IFR Flight Plan Requirements: Equipment requirements for different types of approaches; alternate airport requirements; fuel requirements for IFR flight.
- Approach Procedures: Components of an instrument approach; difference between precision and non‑precision; stabilized approach criteria; when to go missed.
- Missed Approach Procedures: When is the missed approach point; what if you see the runway at MAP but not the required references; obstacle clearance during missed.
- IFR Weather Minimums: Takeoff minimums vs landing minimums; alternate minimums; how to determine if you need an alternate; ceiling vs visibility.
- Navigation Systems: VOR accuracy checks; ILS components and accuracy; GPS RAIM; differences between WAAS and non‑WAAS approaches.
- IFR Charts and Publications: How to read approach plates; what does the profile view tell you; where do you find takeoff minimums; NOTAMs and their impact.
- Lost Communication Procedures: Route to fly if comms fail; altitude to maintain; when to begin approach; difference between VFR and IFR conditions.
- Holding Procedures: Standard vs non‑standard holding; wind correction in holds; maximum holding speeds; when do you need to slow down.
- Spatial Disorientation: Types of illusions; how to prevent and recover; why instrument flying is mentally demanding; vestibular vs visual systems.
- IFR Emergencies: Vacuum failure scenarios; electrical failure in IMC; what equipment can you lose and still continue IFR; emergency authority.
- Icing Conditions: Types of icing; temperature ranges; what to do if you encounter icing; anti‑ice vs de‑ice systems.
- ATC System: How does radar work; what can controllers see; transponder codes; difference between flight following and IFR clearance.
Flight — Sequence & Standards
- IFR Departure: Obtain clearance, read back correctly; taxi and departure procedures; comply with SID; proper communications.
- Partial Panel: Vacuum failure simulation; fly using limited instruments; demonstrate compass and GPS navigation without attitude indicator.
- Unusual Attitudes: Recovery from nose‑high and nose‑low attitudes under the hood; proper scan and control inputs; minimize altitude loss.
- Holding Pattern: Direct entry into published hold; wind correction techniques; proper timing and speeds; hold clearance limit understanding.
- VOR Approach: Fly full VOR approach including procedure turn; proper course guidance and descent rates; missed approach execution.
- ILS Approach: Precision approach with localizer and glideslope; demonstrate course corrections; decision height procedures; land or go missed.
- GPS Approach: RNAV approach with WAAS; understand GPS navigation; proper waypoint sequencing; compare with VOR techniques.
- Circling Approach: Break out of clouds and circle to land on different runway; maintain approach category speeds; stay within circling radius.
- Missed Approach: Execute published missed approach procedure; fly to missed approach holding fix; request further clearance.
- Intercepting and Tracking: Intercept specific radials and courses; demonstrate proper bracketing technique; wind correction angles.
- ATC Communications: Proper phraseology throughout; read back clearances correctly; request amendments when needed; position reports.
- Emergency Scenarios: Simulated electrical failure; what equipment becomes unusable; continue approach or execute missed based on conditions.
Surprises / Curveballs
- Changing approach in flight: Tower switched from ILS to VOR approach due to equipment outage; had to brief new approach quickly.
- Hold instructions modified: ATC gave non‑standard hold with left turns; had to visualize entry and execute correctly.
- Partial panel during approach: Lost attitude indicator during ILS approach; complete approach using remaining instruments.
- Circling approach wind shift: Wind changed during circle‑to‑land; had to adjust pattern and landing technique.
- GPS outage simulation: Lost GPS during RNAV approach; discuss options and execute missed approach or continue with ground‑based nav.
- Runway closure NOTAM: Discovered destination runway closed; plan alternate approach to different runway with higher minimums.
Tips for the Next Pilot
- Know your approach plates inside and out — she will ask about every symbol and note.
- Practice partial panel until it's smooth — expect to lose attitude indicator during a critical phase.
- Understand the difference between different types of approaches and when you'd use each.
- Be precise with altitude and heading control — instrument standards are tighter than VFR.
- Chair fly missed approaches until they're automatic — know exactly what to do at MAP.
- Study lost communication procedures thoroughly — this is a big topic for her.
- Practice holding patterns with wind — she will give you non‑standard entries.
- Know your equipment limitations — what happens when various systems fail.