Airworthy PrepArea II of 8
Preflight Procedures
14% of the Instrument Rating test, about 8 of the 60 questions. The FAA's test standard lists 3 tasks and 14 knowledge elements and 10 risk management elements for this area. Here is every one, plus sample questions to try.
What the FAA tests
From the Instrument Rating Airplane test standard, FAA-S-ACS-8C.
Task A. Aircraft Systems Related to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations
Knowledge: what you must know
- IR.II.A.K1The general operational characteristics and limitations of applicable anti-icing and deicing systems, including airframe, propeller, intake, fuel, and pitot-static systems.
- IR.II.A.K2Flight control systems.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- IR.II.A.R1Operations in icing conditions.
- IR.II.A.R2Limitations of anti-icing and deicing systems.
- IR.II.A.R3Use of automated systems in instrument conditions.
Task B. Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment
Knowledge: what you must know
- IR.II.B.K1Operation of the aircraft’s applicable flight instrument system(s), including:
- IR.II.B.K1aPitot-static instrument system and associated instruments
- IR.II.B.K1bGyroscopic/electric/vacuum instrument system and associated instruments
- IR.II.B.K1cElectrical systems, electronic flight instrument displays [primary flight display (PFD), multi- function display (MFD)], transponder and automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B)
- IR.II.B.K1dMagnetic compass
- IR.II.B.K2Operation of the aircraft’s applicable navigation system(s), including:
- IR.II.B.K2aVery high frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR), distance measuring equipment (DME), instrument landing system (ILS), marker beacon receiver/indicators
- IR.II.B.K2bArea navigation (RNAV), global positioning system (GPS), Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), flight management system (FMS), autopilot
- IR.II.B.K3Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- IR.II.B.R1Monitoring and management of automated systems.
- IR.II.B.R2Difference between approved and non-approved navigation devices.
- IR.II.B.R3Modes of flight and navigation instruments, including failure conditions.
- IR.II.B.R4Use of an electronic flight bag.
- IR.II.B.R5Use of navigation databases.
Task C. Instrument Flight Deck Check
Knowledge: what you must know
- IR.II.C.K1Purpose of performing an instrument flight deck check and how to detect possible defects.
- IR.II.C.K2IFR airworthiness, including aircraft inspection requirements and required equipment for IFR flight.
- IR.II.C.K3Required procedures, documentation, and limitations of flying with inoperative equipment.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- IR.II.C.R1Operating with inoperative equipment.
- IR.II.C.R2Operating with outdated navigation publications or databases.
Try a sample question
Preflight Procedures · IR.II.A.K1
Your airplane's flight manual describes the wing boots as a deicing system and the heated pitot tube as an anti-icing system. What does that wording tell you about how each one works?
Practice all of preflight procedures
The full course has questions on every element listed here, with an explanation and FAA source for each.