Instrument Rating oral

Departure procedures — instrument rating oral exam questions

Departures come up as "how do you get out of here safely in the clouds" — obstacle departure procedures versus standard instrument departures, where you find them, and when they are mandatory.

The examiner will make you do the climb-gradient math: feet per nautical mile to feet per minute at your groundspeed, and whether this airplane can make it today.

The follow-up is a limitation — a required climb gradient you cannot meet, a "NA at night," a takeoff-minimums note — and what you do instead.

Questions you’ll get

  1. 1What is the difference between an ODP and a SID, and where do you find each?
  2. 2This ODP requires 350 ft/NM to 4,000. Our groundspeed on climb-out is 90 knots. Can we do it?
  3. 3What are standard takeoff minimums, and what does a "T" in a triangle on the chart mean?
  4. 4The only ODP is "NA at night." It is night and IMC. What are your options?
  5. 5How do you know if a departure procedure exists for a runway with no published SID?
  6. 6What is a "diverse departure" and what does it assume about your climb?
  7. 7ATC gives you "climb via SID." What does that actually mean for altitude and speed?
  8. 8You cannot meet the required climb gradient. Walk me through everything you would consider before departing.

Walk in ready

Practice the ft/NM to ft/min conversion at a few groundspeeds until it is instant. Know where takeoff minimums and ODPs live for a given airport and be able to say when an ODP is mandatory.

Practice this out loud — free

More IFR oral topics

Holding proceduresInstrument approachesWeather & alternatesLost communications

All Instrument Rating 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.