IFR Checkride Notes 2024

 I was fortunate to have a firm but fair FAA DPE and the following was my experience:

• How to maintain your IFR currency. (6 approaches in preceding 6 months, 6 mo. grace period, IPC thereafter)
• Aircraft log review, Student log review for long IFR crosscountry
• Plan flight to KSBP from KRHV
• Cessna 172P Weight and Balance (360lbs in the front seats).
• Reference Winds Aloft to calculate time in flight and fuel burn (13 gallons rounded up)
• Retrieve Weather, discuss options to depart, weather on arrival, need for alternates (1-2-3 rule)
• Review basic ok to turn altitude if no ODP or SID (400ft AGL, 200ft/nm climb)

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  Important to know when you can turn (at what altitude) when not specified in an ODP, SID

  
  
• I got this question on turn altitude wrong. Here is the link to the 400ft, 35ft above DER, 200ft/nm figures: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap5_section_2.html
• Low IFR Chart, what is frequency above the Center Box? (You listen to FSS talk on 112.6, your talk on 122.1 and let them know your are transmitting on PXN VOR, ensure audio panel is set to NAV/COM) 

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  Speak on 122.1, you receive on 112.6 the Panoche VOR

  
  
  
• Weather Cameras https://weathercams.faa.gov/map/-121.81972,37.1461,10/airport/RHV/details/trends
• https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/1473/how-do-i-contact-flight-service-while-in-flight
• Query on Military Training routes
• Query on VOR change over change over distances and service volumes.
• Why are some airports green? (IFR procedures into those airports) Useful in planning alternates
• Rule of 3 https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/FAA-H-8083-16B_Chapter_3.pdf
• Asked about MOCA vs MEA
• Icing Questions - what are 3 types of icing and which is worst? (Clear due to being invisible before a certain severity)
• What is de-icing vs. anti-icing? (de-icing would be boots, don't activate until you actually have icing) Anti would be prevention systems
• Checkride: 3 approaches, 1 hold, 1 partial panel, 2 non-precision and 1 precision, fly VFR flight following and make sure ATC know that you are with examiner for your checkride (I didn't) for priority in routing. I was vectored out of hold to 2nd and 3rd approaches.
• Unusual Attitudes a nose high and nose low scenario.