Regulations and Publications Related to IFR Operation
Regulations and Publications Related to IFR Operation
Objective: the student will be introduced to the publications related to aviation. The publications include FARs, AIM, POH, and AC’s.
Completion Standards: the student will be able to identify the locations where information can be retrieved from. The student will be able to identify what information pertains to them.
References: FAR part 1, 61, 71, 91, 95, 97 and NTSB part 830, AIM, PHAK, IFH, POH, TPP
Equipment: White Board and markers, iPad/ computer
IP’s Actions:
Assess student
State the objective and completion standards
Writes down references
Provide attention getter
Present content
Assessment
Assign Homework
SP’s Actions:
Take notes
Ask Questions
Introduction:
(Attention Getter) : (Link goes here)
Motivation: (Discuss purpose for lesson and relate to Attention getter)
Overview:
14 CFR parts 61, 71, 91, 95, and 97
FAA-H-8083-15, Instrument Flying Handbook.
Aeronautical Information Manual.
Practical Test Standards.
Airport Facility Directory.
Standard Instrument Departures/Terminal Arrivals.
En Route Charts.
Standard Instrument Approach Procedure Charts.
Content:
14 CFR parts 1, 61, 91, and NTSB part 830
The various regulations dictating the rules for aviation in the US are divided into various official documents. These are primarily 14 CFR parts 1, 61, and 91 as well as the NTSB part 830 regulations.
14 CFR Part 1
This section primarily provides general definitions, abbreviations, and symbols for the subsequent parts.
14 CFR Part 61 (Pilot)
This section details guidance for certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. It includes the requirements for issuing all certificates and ratings. Details the privileges and limitations of each, and the conditions under which each is necessary. It has numerous subparts for ratings and pilot authorization, student pilots, recreational pilots, private pilots, commercial pilots, airline transport pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and sport pilots.
14 CFR Part 71
This section deals with Air space rules, dimensions, traffic, and piloting requirements.
14 CFR Part 91 (Airplane)
This section details the general operating and flight rules. This includes subparts regarding general operation, flight rules (VFR and IFR), equipment, instrument, and certificate requirements. special flight operations, maintenance and alterations, large and turbine powered multi engine aircraft, fractional ownership program aircraft, foreign aircraft operations, operation of US registry aircraft, operating nose limits, and waivers.
91.171
91.175
91.205
91.209
91.213
14 CFR Part 95
This section deals with IFR Minimum en-route altitudes, mountainous areas, and changeover points.
Subpart A = General.
Subpart B = Designated Mountainous Areas.
Subpart C = En-Route IFR Altitudes.
Subpart D = Changeover Points.
14 CFR Part 97
This section deals with Standard Instrument Approach Procedures and the regulations surrounding them.
NTSB Part 830
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is a function within the US Department of Transportation (DOT) that has rule-making authority similar to the FAA. This section of the NTSB rules is concerned with how accidents/incidents are handled.
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
This is essentially the "bible" for pilots. It contains a vast amount of basic flight information and ATC procedures in the US. The AIM is not formally a regulatory document, but documents what the FAA considers to be "best practices" and a pilot should consider carefully before operating in a manner contrary to what is documented in the AIM.
Air Navigation
Aeronautical Lighting and Airport Visual Aids
Airspace
Air Traffic Control
Air Traffic Procedures
Emergency Procedures
Safety of Flight
Medical Facts for Pilots
Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications
Helicopter Operations
The Pilot/Controller Glossary
Aviation Related Publications link
There are a number of publications made available by the FAA and other agencies which are central to aircraft and aviation operations in the US. They are the chart supplement, the aeronautical information manual, FAA advisory circulars, notice to airmen (NOTAM), notices to airmen publication, airman certification standards/practical test standards, and the aircraft pilot’s operating handbook. Each addresses specific areas and each has a specific focus.
IFH
IPH
AIM
Advisory Circulars link
Issued as a systematic means for issuing nonregulatory material of interest to the aviation public. Not binding unless incorporated into a regulation by reference. Provide guidance/info on a subject, or show a method for complying with a FAR that is acceptable by the FAA.
Number system of general subject matter areas corresponding with the FAR subjects
00—General
10—Procedural Rules
20—Aircraft
60—Airmen
70—Airspace
90—Air Traffic and General Operating Rules
120—Air Carriers, Air Travel Clubs, and Operators for Compensation/Hire: Certification and Ops
140—Schools and Other Certificated Agencies
150—Airport Noise Compatibility Planning
170—Navigation Facilities
180—Administrative Regulations
190—Withholding Security Information
210—Flight Info (Aeronautical charts, doesn’t relate to the FARs)
Airman Certification Standards / Practical Test Standards link
The FARs specify areas in which knowledge/skill must be shown before the issuance of a certificate. The FARs provide flexibility to permit the FAA to publish the PTS and ACS with tasks the pilots must demonstrate skill in. At this time the FAA is migrating from PTS style documents to ACS style documents, but that transition is still under way. The ACS is the *"New PTS".
Currently there are PTSs for sport pilot, flight instructor, flight instructor instrument, ATP, and type ratings. All others have been transitioned to ACS style documents which are updated and modernized standards. So far the FAA has released the private pilot, instrument rating, and commercial pilot as ACSs and the rest will come over time.
Supplement (Formerly known as AF/D)
This was formerly known as the Airport/Facility Directory and is a publication which is published every eight weeks by the National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO). It is a directory of all airports, seaplane bases, and heliports open to the public; communications data; navigational facilities; and certain special notices and procedures.
A directory is published for each of seven geographical districts (NW, SW, NC SC, EC, NE, and SE). These publications are critical for cross country planning and contain all pertinent information regarding airports, navaids, FSS contact information, and other critical flight data.
DEPARTURE PROCEDURE CHARTS (WHAT to do at Take-Off)
Obstacle Departure Procedure: ODP’s are a means of safely
Navigating a pilot from the departure airport to the IFR En-Route Structure.
They are established to climb an aircraft to a safe altitude, within the vicinity of the airport, prior to joining the en-route structure.
Standard Instrument Departures: SID’s are a means of safely
Navigating a pilot from the departure airport to the IFR En-Route Structure.
They are established to climb an aircraft to a safe altitude in a particular cardinal direction (N, E, S, W, etc.)
IFR LOW EN-ROUTE CHARTS
IFR Low En-Route Charts are established for aircraft operating in the IFR Flight Environment below 18,000’ MSL.
IFR EN-ROUTE ALTITUDES
Minimum En-Route Altitude (MEA)
The MEA Altitude guarantees a pilot two things:
Obstacle Clearance
1,000’ Non-Mountainous
2,000’ Mountainous
Navigation Coverage
For the Entire Route Segment
Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude (MOCA)
The MOCA guarantees a pilot two things:
Obstacle Clearance
1,000’ Non-Mountainous
2,000’ Mountainous
Navigation Coverage
For 22NM from Each VOR
Maximum Authorized Altitude (MAA)
A Maximum Authorized Altitude (MAA) can be established for multiple reasons.
It can help keep aircraft below certain approach paths or they can be
Established so that an aircraft does not accidentally establish a connection with 2 VORs of the same frequency.
Minimum Reception Altitude (MRA)
MRAs are established altitudes for pilots to pick up off-route VORs.
This can be helpful when pilots are looking to identify certain waypoints using crossing radials from the off-route VOR.
Minimum Crossing Altitude (MCA)
MCAs are established for pilot’s to meet crossing restrictions at waypoints and clear rising terrain along their route of flight. MCAs are direction of flight specific.
Off Route Obstacle Clearance Altitude (OROCA)
The Off-Route Obstacle Clearance Altitude (OROCA) provides terrain clearance for pilots not flying on Victor Airways.
There will be a depicted altitude for each section that a pilot must remain above to be guaranteed obstacle clearance in that particular section of the map.
This equates to 1,000’ clearance in Non-Mountainous Areas
2,000’ clearance in Mountainous Areas.
IFR EN-ROUTE WAYPOINTS
Fly-By Waypoints:
When approaching a Fly-By Waypoint, a pilot may “cut the corner” so to speak.
He/she does not need to cross the waypoint prior to making a course direction change.
Fly-Over Waypoints:
When approaching a Fly-Over Waypoint,
the pilot must cross the waypoint prior to making any course direction change.
Compulsory vs Non-Compulsory Points:
Compulsory means mandatory.
It is mandatory for pilots to make position reports to ATC when crossing these points when not in radar contact with ATC.
Non-Compulsory
These points are not mandatory. Pilots do not need to make position reports to ATC at these points unless requested by ATC.
IFR EN-ROUTE CHANGEOVER POINTS
When there is no depicted changeover point between two VORs,
the pilot should switch from tracking on VOR to the next at the halfway point.
Some Victor Airways have depicted VOR Changeover Points. At these points, the pilot should switch from tracking one VOR to the next.
The third time a pilot should switch from tracking one VOR to the next is when there is a bend in the airway.
These are depicted with an “X” when necessary.
STANDARD TERMINAL ARRIVALS
Terminal Arrival Procedures are used to safely
Navigate IFR aircraft from the En-Route Structure to beginning the approach and landing phases at the destination airport.
INSTRUMENT APPROACH PLATES
Instrument Approaches are used to safely navigate the pilot from the Arrival or En-Route Structures of the IFR Environment down to landing at the destination airport.
Each instrument approach plate is broken into multiple sections, they are:
Briefing Section
Plan View Section
Profile View Section
Approach Minimums Section
Runway Layout Diagram
The Briefing Section
The briefing section of the approach plate contains the following elements and items:
Approach and Airport Name
Applicable Navigation Frequency
Final Approach Course
Landing Runway Information
Applicable Approach Notes
Approach Lighting System
Missed Approach Procedure
Approach Communication Frequencies
The symbols in the Notes of the Briefing Section have the following associated meanings:
T = Indicates Airport has Non-Standard Takeoff Minimums
A = Indicates this Approach has Non-Standard Alternate Minimums
The Plan View Section
The plan view section of the approach plate contains the following elements and items:
Indicates Radar is Required
Localizer Frequency and Morse Code ID
Approach Course
Initial Approach Fix (IAF)
IAF Distance from the Localizer
Final Approach Fix (FAF)
FAF Distance from the Localizer
Altitudes, Courses, and Distances
Missed Approach Procedure
Alternate Missed Approach Holding Fix
MSA (Minimum Sector Altitudes)
Minimum Sector Altitudes
Minimum Sector Altitudes (MSA’s) are given to pilots for emergency situational awareness. The MSA will always be established for a certain radius around a point (typically a navigation system). In this example we can see the MSA is established as a 25NM radius around the OGD VOR.
The radius is then broken into sectors and each sector is assigned an altitude. If flying within the established radius and at the altitude assigned for the sector, a pilot is guaranteed 1,000’ Obstacle Clearance in Mountainous and Non-Mountainous areas.
The Profile View Section
The profile view section of the approach plate contains the following elements and items:
Missed Approach Pictorial Instructions
Waypoints on the Approach
Waypoint Distances from the Localizer
Minimum Altitudes at each Waypoint
Approach Course
Glideslope Intercept Altitude
VDP (LOC Only)
Beginning of the Missed Approach
Glideslope Angle and Threshold Crossing Height
Distances Between Waypoints
Visual Descent Point (VDP)
VDP stands for “Visual Descent Point.”
At this point, the pilot will make the decision to either continue to landing or to execute the Missed Approach Procedure.
However, the pilot cannot begin the Missed Approach Procedure until reaching the Missed Approach Point.
VDP’s are only applicable for non-precision approaches. Hence, the “LOC Only” symbol seen on the chart does not apply if flying the approach as an ILS Approach.
The Minimums Section
The minimums section of the approach plate contains the following elements and items:
Aircraft Approach Categories
Types of Approaches Available
Minimum Descent Altitudes
Minimum Flight Visibilities
Minimum Descent Altitudes in AGL
Flight Visibility is the horizontal distance the pilot can see from the pilot seat in the cockpit. This means it is based on pilot judgement not reported ground visibility values found in ATIS and AWOS reports.
Approach Categories
How to know which Aircraft Approach Category Minimums a pilot should adhere to. Approach Categories are based on an aircraft’s approach speed. Some aircraft will have published approach speeds in the aircraft’s POH. Some aircraft will not have published approach speeds in the POH.
In this situation, a pilot can figure his/her approach speed by taking the aircraft’s Vso (stall speed) and multiply it by 1.3. Once the pilot knows his/her aircraft’s approach speed, he/she can also know which approach category they fall in by adhering to the approach category numbers below.
Runway Layout Section
The runway layout section of the approach plate contains the following elements and items:
Airport Elevation
Touchdown Zone Elevation (TDZE)
Runway Numbers
Runway Obstacles
Runway Lengths and Widths
Runway Slope Grades
Runway Lighting
Pilot Controlled Lighting
Visual Glideslope Indicators
Approach Course
Runway Declared Distances
Type of Approach Light System
Aircraft Approach Categories
Category A = 0-90 KIAS
Category B = 91-120 KIAS
Category C = 121-140 KIAS
Category D = 141 KIAS - Above
Conclusion
14 CFR parts 61, 71, 91, 95, and 97
FAA-H-8083-15, Instrument Flying Handbook.
Aeronautical Information Manual.
Practical Test Standards.
Airport Facility Directory.
Standard Instrument Departures/Terminal Arrivals.
En Route Charts.
Standard Instrument Approach Procedure Charts.
(Questions to assess student)
Where can I find information on private pilot certificate?
Where can I find the testing standards for^?
Where can I find info for instrument procedures
HW: Look over FARs for instrument and look over the IFH and IPH