Checkride Prep & IFR Oral Exam Review

ACS Areas of Operation

The Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards (ACS) organizes the checkride into distinct areas of operation. The examiner will test at least one task from each area. Know what is expected:

Common Checkride Failures

Understanding why candidates fail helps you avoid the same mistakes. These are the most common failure areas on the IFR checkride:

Oral Exam Failures

1. Weather minimums confusion: Not knowing takeoff minimums, landing minimums, or alternate airport requirements (1-2-3 rule). Mixing up DA and MDA.
2. Lost communications (91.185): Unable to explain the route, altitude, and approach procedures to follow after losing comms in IMC
3. Approach plate interpretation: Cannot correctly brief an approach, identify minimum altitudes, or explain the missed approach procedure
4. System knowledge gaps: Cannot explain pitot-static failures, vacuum system, or electrical system operations
5. Regulatory knowledge: Not knowing currency requirements (six approaches, holding, intercepting/tracking in 6 months), required equipment (GRABCARD), or IFR fuel requirements

Flight Test Failures

1. Altitude deviations: Exceeding ±100 ft during normal operations or ±200 ft during partial panel
2. Heading control: Exceeding ±10° during normal operations
3. Approach procedure errors: Descending below minimums, failing to time from FAF, missing step-down fixes
4. Holding pattern errors: Incorrect entry, wrong direction of turn, poor timing
5. Missed approach execution: Hesitation, wrong sequence (should be: power, pitch, configure), flying the wrong procedure

Oral Exam Strategy

The oral exam typically lasts 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Your goal is to demonstrate sound aeronautical decision-making and a working knowledge of IFR operations. Here is how to approach it:

Answer Structure

1. Start with the regulation or definition. "Under 14 CFR 91.175, the pilot must have the runway environment in sight and..."
2. Explain the concept. Show you understand the why, not just the what.
3. Give a practical example. "For example, on an ILS to runway 28 at KLGA, the DA would be..."
4. Know when to use references. You can look things up. Saying "Let me verify that in the AIM" is perfectly acceptable and shows good airmanship.

General Tips

• Do not guess. If you do not know, say so and look it up. Guessing wrong is worse than admitting uncertainty.
• Think before speaking. Take a moment to organize your answer. The examiner is not timing your response speed.
• Use your resources. Bring the AIM, FAR/AIM, approach plates, and your flight planning materials. Knowing where to find information is a skill.
• Stay calm. The examiner wants you to pass. They are evaluating whether you are safe to operate in the IFR system.

Weather Minimums Decision-Making

Weather is the most critical go/no-go decision for IFR pilots. Review these minimums until they are automatic:

Takeoff Minimums

Under 14 CFR Part 91, there are no takeoff minimums for Part 91 pilots (unlike Part 121/135). However, prudent pilots set personal minimums. If you cannot return for an approach, you should be able to reach an alternate.

Landing Minimums

Alternate Airport Requirements (1-2-3 Rule)

An alternate airport is required in the flight plan if, at the destination, from 1 hour before to 1 hour after the ETA, the weather is forecast to be less than 2,000 ft ceiling or 3 SM visibility.

Alternate Airport Minimums

Comprehensive Course Review

Here is a high-level summary of what you should know from each lesson. If any topic feels weak, go back and review that lesson's background briefing and review page.

Lesson 1: IFR Fundamentals

Instrument scan, attitude instrument flying, the six-pack, primary and supporting instruments, control and performance concept.

Lesson 2: IFR Navigation & Departures

VOR navigation, GPS basics, airways, ODP vs SID, IFR clearance (CRAFT), departure procedures.

Lesson 3: Holding Patterns

Direct, teardrop, and parallel entries. Standard vs. non-standard holds. Timing, wind correction, DME/GPS holds.

Lesson 4: Non-Precision Approaches

VOR, LOC, NDB approaches. MDA, Dive & Drive, circling approaches, approach categories, missed approach procedures.

Lesson 5: Precision Approaches

ILS components, glideslope, DA vs DH, false glideslopes, ILS critical areas, Cat I/II/III minimums.

Lesson 6: Advancing with LOC and VOR Approaches

LOC and VOR approach procedures, approach categories, CDI sensitivity, circling approaches.

Lesson 7: STARs, VNAV & Descent Management

STAR structure, VNAV descent planning, speed/altitude constraints, GPS approach type hierarchy.

Lesson 8: Enroute Diversions & Lost Communications

Enroute reroutes, lost communications (91.185), AVE-F altitude rules, EFC timing, diversion decision-making.

Lesson 9: System Failures

Pitot-static failures, vacuum pump failure, electrical emergencies, G1000 reversionary mode, unusual attitudes, partial panel, emergency squawk codes.

ATC Audio Practice

Listen to each ATC audio clip in sequence. Practice your readback before listening to the correct version:

1. Briefing:
2. Pilot Initial Call:
3. ATC Response:
4. ATC Clearance:
5. Pilot Readback:

Checkride-Style Approach Practice

The goal today is to fly approaches exactly as you would on the checkride. The instructor will act as the examiner, issuing instructions and evaluating your performance against ACS standards.

Approach Sequence

1. Precision approach (ILS or LPV): Full procedure — clearance, brief, configure, execute, land or go missed
2. Non-precision approach (LOC or VOR): Dive & Drive to MDA, time from FAF, execute missed approach
3. RNAV/GPS approach: Load, activate, brief, fly — demonstrate GPS approach proficiency
4. Circling approach (if applicable): Fly to circling MDA, maneuver to land on a different runway

Full Briefing Flow

Before every approach, deliver a complete approach briefing. Use this format consistently:

System Failure Scenarios

During the approach sequence, the instructor will introduce system failures at various points:

• Vacuum failure during approach: Transition to partial panel, continue using turn coordinator and compass
• Communication failure: Squawk 7600, follow 91.185 (route: assigned, vectored, expected, filed; altitude: highest of MEA, expected, assigned)
• GPS failure during RNAV approach: Switch to a conventional approach (LOC or VOR) — this is why you should always have a backup approach briefed
• Alternator failure: Load shed, advise ATC, divert to nearest suitable airport

Performance Standards

These are maximum tolerances, not targets. Aim for perfection. On the checkride, consistently flying at the edge of tolerances will concern the examiner even if you technically stay within limits.

Master Oral Exam Question Bank

These 30 questions span all 10 lessons and represent the topics most commonly tested on the IFR oral exam. Practice answering each one aloud, as if speaking to an examiner. If you can answer all of these confidently, you are ready.

Preflight & Planning (Lessons 1-2)

1. What are the currency requirements to act as PIC under IFR? (14 CFR 61.57)
2. What instruments and equipment are required for IFR flight? (GRABCARD)
3. What are the IFR fuel requirements under 14 CFR 91.167?
4. Explain the 1-2-3 rule for alternate airport requirements.
5. What are the standard alternate airport minimums for a precision approach? Non-precision?

Clearances & Departures (Lessons 2-3)

6. Break down an IFR clearance using the CRAFT format. What does each letter stand for?
7. What is the difference between an ODP and a SID?
8. When must you fly an ODP? When can you choose not to?
9. What is a void time clearance and when is it used?

Holding Patterns (Lesson 3)

10. Describe the three holding pattern entry types and when each is used.
11. What is standard holding? Non-standard? What determines each?
12. How do you adjust timing in a hold for wind correction?
13. At what altitude does the outbound leg change from 1 minute to 1.5 minutes?

Non-Precision Approaches (Lesson 4)

14. What is the difference between MDA and DA? Which approach types use which?
15. What is the Dive & Drive technique?
16. When does a circling approach apply? What obstacle clearance does circling MDA provide?
17. What is CDI full-scale deflection on a localizer vs. a VOR?

Precision & GPS Approaches (Lessons 5-6)

18. What are the components of an ILS? What is the glideslope angle?
19. What is a false glideslope and how do you avoid intercepting one?
20. Explain the differences between LPV, LNAV/VNAV, LNAV, and LP approach minimums.
21. What is WAAS? What is RAIM? How do they differ?

Weather (Lesson 7)

22. Decode a METAR and a TAF. What do each of the fields represent?
23. What are the differences between AIRMET, SIGMET, and Convective SIGMET?
24. What are the conditions required for structural icing? What types of icing exist?

En Route & Lost Comms (Lesson 8)

25. Explain the lost communications procedure under 14 CFR 91.185. What route do you fly? What altitude? When do you begin an approach?
26. What is the MEA? MOCA? MRA? MCA? How do they differ?

System Failures (Lesson 9)

27. If the static port becomes blocked, what happens to the altimeter, VSI, and ASI?
28. If the pitot tube is completely blocked (ram air and drain), how does the ASI behave during a climb?
29. Which instruments are vacuum-powered? Which are electrically powered? What does each failure affect?
30. Describe the recovery procedure for a nose-high unusual attitude. A nose-low unusual attitude. Why is the sequence different?

Checkride Day Tips

Before the Checkride

• Get a good night's sleep. Fatigue degrades decision-making and flying ability. Do not cram the night before.
• Check the weather early. Know the conditions at the checkride airport and your alternate. Have a go/no-go decision ready.
• Prepare your paperwork: Pilot certificate, medical, photo ID, logbook with instructor endorsements, IACRA application, aircraft documents (AROW), maintenance records showing VOR check within 30 days
• File a flight plan. Have it ready to review with the examiner. This shows organization and professionalism.
• Bring your resources: FAR/AIM, approach plates, current charts, E6B or electronic flight computer, plotter, knee board

During the Oral

• Listen carefully to each question. Answer what is asked — do not volunteer information that could open new lines of questioning.
• Use your references. Looking things up shows good airmanship. Guessing is worse than saying "I would look that up."
• If you do not know, say so. Then explain how you would find the answer.
• Stay professional. The examiner is evaluating your judgment as much as your knowledge.

During the Flight

• Brief every approach out loud. Even if the examiner does not ask. It demonstrates professionalism and thoroughness.
• Fly the airplane first. When something unexpected happens, maintain altitude and heading. Then troubleshoot.
• Communicate. Tell the examiner what you are doing and why. "I am descending to MDA now. I will level at 580 feet."
• If you make a mistake, correct it. The examiner is looking at how you handle errors, not whether you are perfect.
• Use the checklist. Every time. The examiner will notice if you skip it.

Final Resources

• Instrument Rating Files — Full checkride reference packet — all approach plates, charts, and procedures from Lessons 1-9
• Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B)
• Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B)
• Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-8081-66C)
• Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)