IFR Quick-Review Study Guide - Airplane .
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PREFLIGHT INFO REQUIRED FOR IFR
IS A DESTINATION ALTERNATE REQUIRED?
“NW KRAFT”– §91.103
“1-2-3” RULE
■ N - NOTAMs.
A destination alternate is always required, unless:
■ W - Weather reports and forecasts.
■ An instrument approach is published and
■ K - Known traffic delays as advised by ATC. available for the destination, AND,
■ R - Runway length of intended use. ■ For at least 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA:
■ A - Alternatives available if flight cannot be completed as Ceiling will be at least 2000’ above airport
planned. elevation; and
■ F - Fuel requirements Visibility will be at least 3 SM.
■ T - Takeoff and landing performance data. §91.169
IFR FLIGHT PLAN §91.173
■ Requirement: no person may operate an aircraft in controlled YES
airspace under IFR unless that person has:
Filed an IFR flight plan; and
Received an appropriate ATC clearance. MIN WEATHER CONDITIONS REQUIRED AT AN
■ Although technically permitted by §91.173, taking off into ALTERNATE
IMC in uncontrolled airspace (Class G) without a clearance Use the alternate airport minima published in the
or a release, under certain conditions, was ruled by the procedure charts, or, if none:
NTSB as a violation of §91.13, careless or reckless ■ For a Precision approach:
operation and has gotten pilots in trouble with the FAA. 600 ft ceiling and 2 SM visibility.
See FAA letter to Lamb, 2016, and NTSB Order EA-3935.
■ For a Non-precision approach:
■ How to file an IFR flight plan? 800 ft ceiling and 2 SM visibility.
FSS ■ If no instrument approach available at the
□ by phone (1-800-WX-BRIEF) alternate:
□ over the radio (GCO/RCO) Ceiling & visibility must allow descent from MEA,
approach and landing under VFR.
□ In person.
§91.169
Online
□ [Link] (Leido), [Link] (Garmin)
EFB (e.g., Foreflight) FILING AN ALTERNATE - GPS CONSIDERATIONS
With ATC (over radio, or phone if no other means available) ■ Equipped with a non-WAAS GPS? Flight plan can
□ Pop-up IFR clearances let pilots transition from VFR to be based on GPS approach availability at either the
destination or the alternate, but not at both.
IFR, even without a previously filed flight plan
(required by §91.173(a)), under ATC authorization. ■ WAAS Without baro-VNAV? Flight plan may be
□ While filing a flight plan (with FSS) is preferred, pop-ups filed based on LNAV or circling minimas at the
allow to quickly get the flight into the system. (i.e, when alternate (regardless of the available approaches at
the destination).
weather is deteriorating fast during VFR). They are
subject to ATC workload and not guaranteed. ■ WAAS with baro-VNAV? LNAV/VNAV or RNP 0.3
□ You must be at or above the minimum IFR altitude, or are allowed as basis for the flight plan’s alternate
climb to it under VFR. (Requires Special Authorization & RNP availability).
■ File at least 30 minutes prior to estimated departure. Non- AIM 1-1-17b.5, 1-1-18c.9, 1-2-3d
scheduled flights above FL230 should be filed at least 4
hours before est. departure time. (AIM 5-1-6) IFR CRUISING ALTITUDES §91.179
■ Flight plan cancellation (AIM 5-1-15)
Controlled airspace
Towered airports - automatically canceled by ATC upon
IFR Cruising altitudes are as assigned by ATC.
landing.
Non-towered airports - Pilot must contact ATC / FSS to Uncontrolled airspace
cancel (by radio or phone) (Based on magnetic course) 0º
Can cancel anytime in flight if out of IMC and out of Below FL290
class A airspace. ■ 0º-179º: ODD thousands (below 359º
18,000’) or Flight Levels (at or EVEN
Thousands ODD
■ Preferred IFR Routes are published in the Chart Supplement above FL180) or FLs Thousands
179º
U.S. The AIM recommends filing a preferred route if one is ■ 180º-359º: EVEN thousands or FLs
available. (AIM 5-1-6) (below 18,000’) or Flight Levels
(at or above FL180)
Above FL290 (in non-RVSM) 180º
IFR MINIMUM FUEL REQUIREMENTS §91.167
■ 0º-179º: Flight Levels at 4,000’ intervals starting at FL290
(e.g., FL 290, 330, 370)
Fuel from 45 Minutes ■ 180º-359º: Flight Levels at 4,000’ intervals starting at FL310
Fuel from calculated (e.g., FL 310, 350, 390)
+ +
departure to destination to
most distant at FL290-FL410 (in RVSM)
destination
alternate normal
airport ■ 0º-179º: Odd Flight Levels at 2,000’ intervals starting at FL290
(if alternate required) cruise (e.g., FL 290, 310, 330)
■ 180º-359º: Even Flight Levels at 2,000’ intervals starting at
*Other fuel requirements exist for 121, 135, Flag and supplemental operations FL300 (e.g., FL 300, 320, 340)
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