CFI Instrument Practical Test Standards, FAA-S-8081-9B, June 2001

III. Preflight Preparation

C. Instrument Cockpit Check

1. Communications equipment
   a. Loss of communications under IFR may be considered an emergency requiring compliance with Sec. 91.185
   b. Confirm position, stability of radio antennas
   c. Use all radios preflight. Request "radio check."
   d. Transponder on standby
   1) Reply light ON during warmup
   2) Use transponder self test function
2. Navigation equipment
   a. VORs
   1) Confirm postion, stability of nav antennas
   2) 14 CFR Sec. 91.171 requires VOR accuracy check within 30 days prior to IFR flight
   a) KLPR ground check point: DJB on 113.6
   b) Record date, place, bearing error(s) and sign - every 30 days
   c) No-go if error > 4°
   b. DME
   1) Check ON, test annunciation
   2) Note distance from VOR/DME if available
   c. ILS
   If LOC on field, then tune, identify, note correct indication
   d. MB
   Push button to check indicator lights
   e. ADF
   1) If NDB receivable, then tune, identifiy, note correct indication
   2) Test button: note movement and return of needle
   f. GPS
   1) Confirm IFR approved, certified
   2) Follow appropriate start-up and self-test procedures
   3) Check RAIM availability
3. Magnetic compass
   a. Fluid-filled
   b. Moves freely
   c. Correctly indicates known headings (taxiways, runways)
4. Heading indicator (HI)/horizontal situation indicator (HSI)/remote magnetic indicator (RMI)
   a. Check suction gauge pressure (4.5 - 5.4 inHg, C-TR182)
   b. Allow 5 minutes for gyro to attain normal operating speed (3 minutes for electric instrument)
   c. Set to magnetic compass heading before taxi
   d. Note correct indications on known headings during taxi
5. Attitude indicator (AI)
   a. Allow 5 minutes for gyro speed up
   b. Note horizon bar aligned correctly, stops vibrating
   c. Adjust miniature airplane to horizon bar
   d. Unreliable if
   1) Horizon bar fails to remain horizontal during straight ahead taxi,or
   2) Banks more than 5° during taxi turns
6. Altimeter (ALT)
   a. Check maintenance logbook for static system and altimeter check within 24 months (Sec. 91.411)
   b. Check static ports open, clear
   c. Set to current reported altimeter setting
   d. Record ALT error = difference between ALT indication and known field elevation
   e. Conservative, safe practice: add any ALT error to approach MDA or DH during flight (Sollman)
   f. ALT error > 75 feet indicates ALT needs evaluation and repair
7. Turn-and-slip indicator/turn coordinator (TC)
   a. During taxi turns, ball moves freely to outside of turn
   b. During straight taxi, miniature airplane level
8. Vertical-speed indicator (VSI)
   a. Check maintenance logbook for static system (and altimeter) check within 24 months (Sec. 91.411)
   b. Note/set level indication
9. Airspeed indicator
   a. Check maintenance logbook for static system (and altimeter) check within 24 months (Sec. 91.411)
   b. Confirm pitot heat available
   c. Note appropriately increasing rate during initial takeoff roll
10. Outside air temperature
    Note correct indication
11. Clock
    1) Set correct time
    2) Confirm operating

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