normajean21

im taking the instrument written next weekend and going to take the checkride in bare minimum instruments. since as i understand it the requirements are 1 precision and 2 non precision. i will be forced to do the ils approach a timed approach and the vor. since these are my only options as far as the avionics. does nebody have any tips as to how i can prepare in the computer flight sim for this. the only thing thats holding be back that i dont understand right now as far as the oral is concerned is holding entrys and understanding the approach plates. any advice would be greatly appreciated. -eric dfw texas.

de727ups

I guess you are saying an ILS, a LOC (timed approach?) and a VOR. That would meet the requirements.

The way I teach holding entries is to break the Heading Indicator into a three segment pie shape. Parallel is the 110 degrees of arc on the left side of the HI. Teardrop is 70 degrees of arc on the right side. And direct is 180 degrees on the bottom half. Then, take the holding radial and impose it on the HI. Which segment of the HI the holding radial falls into will be your entry type. That probably makes no sense, but it's hard to explain in words. This method is commonly explained in the IFR training manuals.

As far as approach plates, just start looking at the different types and as you find symbols you don't know, look them up. There should be an explaination of the symbols in the front of the jepp manual.

normajean21

yes its an ils loc and vor. where does the timed approach come in? is it just a dive and drive? i understand the pie. i use my hand for left and right turns and that helps. it also helps to draw a picture. ive been told i dont have to understand the entry to perfection until i go for the double I or the atp. i have plenty of plates to look at and i will start going at that in earnest. however the minor details of the information provided seems to make all the difference and that can prove frustrating at times.

Slice

Holding Quiz

Good for learning hold entries.

LucasM

I hope what you are saying is that you are just taking your written exam next week, other wise if I were you I would reconsider taking the checkride and study longer. Make sure you can explain everything letter and number on the approach plates, as well as regulations (i.e. alternate minimums, currency requirements, etc.)

There are the 3 ways to enter a holding pattern (direct, teardrop, and parallel). How you enter the hold is your decision considering there is no regulation saying how you have to do it, just do it. I personally never fly a parallel becuase there is no real way of knowing where you are it, since you are on the outside of the radial or whatever and don't consider it very safe. Also, when/if I get reestablished back inbound to the VOR from flying a parallel entry, I am much closer to the VOR and have less time to figure out what my wind drift correction angle will be. Say for example I turn back inbound from a parallel entry and get reestablished, I may only have 15-20 seconds before I pass the VOR again. If I fly a teardrop radial for 1 minute outbound, once I reintercept my radial inbound I will have about another minute to figure out where I am and correct for wind, and can breathe for a few seconds before my next turn.

Normally I only fly direct and teardrop. On the teardrop, if i'm holding over a VOR, I will fly a radial outbound for 1 minute instead of a heading. Why? Because that way I know where I am at exactly, and I will not drift off course. A DPE once recommended doing a procedure turn to enter a hold, kind of like you would for an ILS, or VOR approach.

normajean21

just the written. i start the flying in a couple of weeks. my instructor claims he can do it in 40 hours. is that average for an amateur or is that pushing it a bit? i know i could have done the private in 40 but i took 60 before i did the checkride. as far as the entries are u saying i can choose any one i want in relation to where i am regardless of whether its for the instrument II or atp?

ryan1234

Try to understand things as simple as possible... a lot of Instrument stuff will seem very complicated but it isn't that bad... it all makes sense... sort of. Just always remember the basics keep your Altitude and Heading... many, many students are so caught up in understanding procedures, etc that they forget the basics and importance of their altitude and heading.

-example is a DME arc... you will probably be taught to turn the OBS etc, etc... what matters to ATC is that you maintain your distance (DME,GPS), altitude(Altimeter) and direction (HI, MC)

Timed approaches (approaches in general) are a fuction of groundspeed (always remember this!).
Once you start actually flying stuff will make more sense.

Instrument flying is something you want to try to perfect before ATP or II..... you may make a few mistakes here and there.. but it is something you really want to try to do right the first time.

Just get the basics (i.e. flying by the instruments) first!

de727ups

There is this old skool thing called "timed approaches" that is giving me the willies with respect to your post. Are you talking about a non-precision approach where you have to time to define the MAP? If so, that's no big deal. You always do the 5 T's passing the FAF. Time, Turn, Twist, Throttle, Talk. The first one, Time, is where you hit the clock and that gives you a time to the MAP. Only way around that is if you have DME or GPS to define the MAP.

normajean21

its hack the clock and time to the map. i dont even have dme. its literally ils localizer and 1 vor needle. i got the private in a tomahawk and my instructor is just now putting in the ils so he can teach instruments in it. sportys mentioned the 5t's im assuming this pertains to the check ride? does this only apply to the timed approaches?

de727ups

5 T's is a good habit pattern on any IFR approach passing over the FAF. Not all of the T's will apply, but it's a good habit to run through them.

You don't need DME. The clock is how we did it old skool. It's no big deal.