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Teaching and Learning Flying - Airplane Instrument Rating

IFR Cross-Country Planning


DEFINITION

Planning for a specific IFR flight is the fourth major area of preflight preparation after pilot, weather and airplane are considered. According to 14 CFR Sec. 61.1, any flight involving navigation to and landing at a point other than the point of departure maybe logged as cross-country time; however, for purposes of meeting aeronautical experience requirements for a commercial certificate or for an instrument rating, cross-country flight must include a landing at least 50 NM from the departure point. The time when the pilot operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions may be logged as instrument time (Sec. 61.51). An IFR cross-country flight in controlled airspace involves filing an IFR flight plan and obtaining an ATC clearance. For training purposes in preparation for an instrument rating, most or all of the flight should be conducted under actual or simulated IFR conditions.

SAFETY FACTORS

Thorough preflight planning provides the essential foundation for exercising good judgment in making go/no-go decisions, and choosing among alernatives. Preflight planning contributes substantially to safe and efficient IFR flight.
Cross-country emergency conditions
Loss of communications
Loss of gyroscopic attitude and heading indicators
Filing an IFR flight plan

TOLERANCES

Instrument Rating PTS (FAA-S-8081-4D) I.B. To determine that the applicant
  1. Exhibits adequate knowledge of the elements by presenting and explaining a pre-planned cross-country flight, as previously assigned by the examiner (preplanning is at the examiner's discretion). It should be planned using real time weather and conform to the regulatory requirements for instrument flight rules within the airspace in which the flight will be conducted.
  2. Exhibits adequate knowledge of the aircraft's performance capabilities by calculating the estimated time en route and total fuel requirements based upon factors such as
      a. Power settings
      b. Operating altitude or flight level
      c. Wind
      d. Fuel reserve requirements
  3. Selects and correctly interprets the current and applicable en route charts, instrument departure procedures (DPs), RNAV, STAR, and Standard Instrument Approach Procedure Charts (IAPs)
  4. Obtains and correctly interprets applicable NOTAM information
  5. Determines the calculated performance is within the aircraft's capability and operating limitations
  6. Completes and files an IFR flight plan in a manner that accurately reflects the conditions of the proposed flight. (Does not have to be filed with ATC.)
  7. Demonstrates adequate knowledge of GPS and RAIM capability, when aircraft is so equipped
Instrument Instructor PTS (FAA-S-8081-9B) III.B. adds (instructional knowledge of):
    Regulatory requirements for instrument flight within various types of airspace

OBJECTIVES

To develop the pilot's knowledge, skill and judgment in IFR cross-country planning to meet the applicable practical test standards and to enhance the safety of flight

PROCEDURES

  • List the four major areas of preflight preparation
  • Discuss the elements of IFR cross-country planning
  • Demonstrate selected elements of IFR cross-country planning
  • Coach pilot practice in planning an IFR cross-country flight
    1. Assemble equipment/materials
      • Low-altitude IFR en route charts, area charts
      • IAPs (NACO TPPs), DPs, STARs
      • AFD, preferred routes, other source(s) of airport info
      • Weather/NOTAMs info
      • Calculator/computer/plotter/pencils, erasers
      • Navigation logs/flight plan forms
      • Sectionals, Class B charts
      • AIM
    2. Obtain, record all relevant weather info (include alternate airports)
    3. Study, record relevant airport info
    4. Choose, record route on IFR nav log
      • DPs
      • Consider preferred IFR, tower en route control (TEC), airway, and direct (RNAV, GPS) routes
      • STARs, IAPs and IAFs
      • List defining navigation fixes/waypoints for each leg
      • Record magnetic courses and
      • Distances (each leg and total)
    5. Select, record navigation and communication frequencies
    6. Identify airspace, obstructions, terrain features, alternate airports
    7. Choose altitude(s)
        Consider magnetic course, minimum IFR altitudes, winds and temperatures aloft, cloud tops, turbulence, icing, aircraft performance, oxygen availability
    8. Estimate, record fuel for start, run-up, taxi and takeoff
    9. Estimate and record time, fuel and distance for climb (e.g., 1983 C-TR182)
    10. Alternate simple rule-of-thumb to estimate time to first fix: compute as for other legs and add one minute for each 2000 feet of climb (Sollman)
    11. Choose cruise power setting (e.g., 1983 C-TR182 at 8000 ft)
      • Estimate TAS
      • Calculate GS
      • Calculate, record time and fuel for cruise (each leg and total)
    12. Estimate time and fuel for approach
    13. Choose, record route from intended destination (primary) to alternate
      • Calculate, record time and fuel for cruise from primary to alternate (each leg and total)
      • Estimate time and fuel for approach at alternate
    14. Calculate reserve fuel requirement for flight at normal cruise for 45 minutes
    15. Weight and balance: calculate and verify within limits (e.g., 1983 C-TR182)
    16. Takeoff and landing performance: estimate distances; verify OK (e.g., C-TR182 takeoff and landing distance)
    17. Check IFR navigation log complete
    18. Flight plan: complete form; file
Flight Plan Form

COMMON ERRORS

  • Failure to assemble all relevant, necessary materials/equipment
  • Use of outdated aeronautical charts
  • Inadequate, incomplete weather briefing
  • Improper interpretation of weather information
  • Inadequate study of airport info
  • Poor choice of route
    • Consider DPs, preferred IFR, tower en route control, airway, and direct (GPS) routes, STARs, IAFs
    • Weather factors (turbulence, clouds, icing)
  • Poor choice of altitude
    • Consider magnetic course, minimum IFR altitudes, aircraft performance, oxygen availability
    • Weather factors including winds and temperatures aloft, cloud tops, turbulence, icing
  • Underestimation of fuel requirement
    • Include fuel for start, taxi, run-up, takeoff, climb, cruise, approach & missed approach x 2, cruise to alternate airport, approach & missed approach x 2, cruise 45 minutes more
    • Be conservative
  • Failure to properly calculate weight and balance
  • Failure to properly estimate takeoff and landing performance
  • Failure to properly complete and file IFR flight plan

References
Greg Gordon MD, CFII
Updated: