Instrument Rating oral
Instrument approaches — instrument rating oral exam questions
You will brief an approach off the plate, start to finish: frequencies, courses, altitudes, the final approach fix, minimums, the missed approach, and the airport and runway environment.
The examiner wants to hear the plate become a plan — what you set up, what you look for, what you do at each fix — and to know you understand the difference between a precision and a non-precision approach, DA vs. MDA, and what visual references let you go below minimums.
The follow-up is a failure: the glideslope drops at the final approach fix, or you break out and are not lined up. What now.
Questions you’ll get
- 1Brief this ILS approach to me from the plate. Everything from the feeder route to the missed.
- 2What is the difference between a DA and an MDA, and how do you fly each?
- 3Under 91.175, what do you need to see to continue below DA/MDA?
- 4The glideslope flags at the final approach fix. What approach do you now have, and what are your minimums?
- 5Walk me through the missed approach for this plate — the first three actions in order.
- 6What is required for a procedure turn, and when are you not allowed to fly one?
- 7How do you determine if an approach is authorized when the reported weather is below minimums?
- 8You break out at minimums but you are well right of centerline. Land or go missed? Why?
Walk in ready
Build a consistent approach brief flow and use it every time so it is muscle memory. Know 91.175 word for what it requires, and rehearse the "lose the glideslope, revert to LOC" transition so the minimums change does not rattle you.
More IFR oral topics
PilotPrep is a study aid. It is not the FAA, it doesn’t replace your CFI or an endorsement, and practicing here doesn’t guarantee passing the practical. These are representative questions, not a script the examiner follows — always defer to your instructor and the current ACS and FARs.