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Questions tagged [instrument-flight-rules]

Instrument flight rules (IFR) are a set of regulations governing aircraft operations. IFR permits flying and navigating by instruments alone in conditions where there is no visual reference outside the aircraft.

Instrument flight rules (IFR) are a set of regulations governing aircraft operations. IFR regulations allow a qualified pilot in a suitably equipped aircraft to fly and navigate using only instruments, without any visual reference outside the aircraft.

IFR may be required because of weather conditions, airspace rules or for other reasons, but a pilot may choose to operate a flight under IFR even when there is no requirement to do so.

IFR is usually contrasted with VFR (); all flights operate under either IFR or VFR. IFR should not be confused with (instrument meteorological conditions), which are weather conditions in which IFR is required.

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Are there ILS approaches where a non-precision procedure isn't allowed?

Are there ILS approaches where the LOC/non-precision procedure isn't authorized?
ryan1618
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How does a pilot switch from IFR to VFR mid-flight?

I had a pilot tell me that a rude ATC controller was making him fly way off route and through clouds and turbulence. So he switched to VFR and climbed out of the mess and towards the direction he wanted to go. Without getting into who was right or…
jskypilot
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Can a pilot initiate an enroute descent to an IAF without ATC 's approval?

An IFR flight is cleared DIRECT to a published IAF for an approach at the destination airport. The cruising altitude is 10,000’, the IAF crossing altitude is 2,000’ and the T/D begins about 24nm prior to the IAF with standard rate of descent. Since…
Ron
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Do Special MEA altitudes and routes in Alaska require WAAS?

Low Enroute IFR charts in Alaska (and maybe elsewhere?) have blue routes and MEAs for GPS equipped aircraft, such as T266, 7000G MEA, below. Is an IFR GPS sufficient to use these, or is WAAS required?
xpda
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Can I fly solo when practicing IFR under the hood?

If I have my instrument rating can I log simulated instrument time under the hood while flying alone as the PIC? Or does a safety pilot have to be present?
Matt
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How should this ODP be flown if heading east?

The KFDK departure procedure for RWY 23 states: DEPARTURE PROCEDURE: Rwy 23, climb heading 229° to 1200 before turning right. Does this only apply if making any sort of right turn after takeoff i.e. to the west? If my course was east or south…
rainkinz
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Can a GPS system be used to identify fixes on conventional instrument approaches?

Is the use of a certified IFR GPS receiver approved for identifying fixes defined by VOR radials, on a conventional (non RNAV) instrument approach? For example, in KCDW LOC RWY 22, the intersections DOWDY, FAAIR and KOLLI (IF, FAF, step down fix,…
Daniel
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Can I go into clouds if I got IFR clearance? (uncontrolled airport)

Just to make sure if I am right before I get in trouble. If I am taking off from an uncontrolled airport for IFR flight, assuming I received IFR clearance on the ground, can I enter into the clouds before I contact approach (or center) after…
BrianT
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Is there a minimum level of lighting required for a runway to have an instrument approach?

Is there a minimum amount or type of lighting, in the form of runway or approach lights, that must be present for a runway to have an instrument approach? I'm curious to know in the context of both the FAA and ICAO.
ryan1618
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Why isn't the airspeed indicator the primary instrument for power during a constant speed climb?

I am studying the primary and secondary IFR instrument designations. I understand that the primary instrument is the one that closest represents your target value, and is normally the one gauge that isn't moving on the panel during the targeted…
Charlie
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Can I shoot any approach at an uncontrolled airport in VMC without any clearance?

I am in IFR Flight plan to an uncontrolled airport. I find out that the weather is well above VFR limit, and hence canceled IFR flight plan. But I want to shoot an approach (with safety pilot) for my currency. In this case, can I still shoot any…
BrianT
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What type of flight plan are ZeroG experience flights?

According to flightradar24, the ZeroG experience flights are on an IFR flightplan climbing into Class A airspace. Do they file lat long fixes for the flightplans or do they use fixes to guide the flights? Are they assigned block altitudes to do the…
sv1068
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Is it legal to fly this approach in Bahrain if the VORTAC is out of service?

Can I fly the VOR/DME/ILS RWY 33R approach at Bahrain/Isa Airbase (OBBS) if the OBBS VORTAC is out of service?
Robert
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What is the difference between RAIL and SFL lights?

What is the difference between Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (RAIL) and Sequenced Flashing Lights (SFL)? Both of them are same in terms of flashing light.
Aviat
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When a VOR is an IAF, must it be treated as a fly-over waypoint, or is fly-by acceptable?

I have a VOR approach at KMDQ that has you fly outbound from the VOR as the IAF, do a procedure turn and come back to the VOR as the Final approach fix. My question is, when you are using it as the IAF, do you have to wait for the flip on the VOR…
Matthew Rasmussen
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