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Quiz: Could You Pass An Instrument Checkride Today?

This story was made in partnership with AOPA. Ready to join the largest aviation community in the world? Sign up and become an AOPA Member today.
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How would you do on an instrument checkride today?


  1. 1) Your NAV 2 radio fails while you're en-route on an IFR flight. You're in visual conditions, and you will be for the remainder of the flight. You're using GPS, and you don't plan on using your NAV 2 radio for the flight. Do you need to notify ATC?

    Yep, you need to inform ATC.  FAR 91.187 requires you to tell ATC about any navigational, approach or communications equipment malfunction. Tell them what failed, and that you don't expect it to affect the remainder of your flight.

    Yep, you need to inform ATC.  FAR 91.187 requires you to tell ATC about any navigational, approach or communications equipment malfunction. Tell them what failed, and that you don't expect it to affect the remainder of your flight.

  2. 2) The winds are favoring runways 12L/R at KBJC. If you fly the RNAV 30R approach, are you able to perform a circling approach to runway 12L at night, assuming all equipment is operative?
    View KBJC RNAV 30R Approach Chart

    There aren't any restrictions that would prevent you from circling to runway 12L.

    There aren't any restrictions that would prevent you from circling to runway 12L.

  3. 3) You've entered icing conditions, your static heat fails, and your static ports ice over. Your pitot tube remains clear. ATC clears you to descend. How will your airspeed read as you descend?

    Your airspeed indicator compares dynamic (ram) pressure from the pitot tube against static pressure from your static ports.  If you start to descend and your static ports are clogged, the static pressure in your airspeed indicator will be lower than the surrounding air, and the airspeed will read faster than you're actually flying, because there's not enough static pressure to offset the ram air.

    Your airspeed indicator compares dynamic (ram) pressure from the pitot tube against static pressure from your static ports.  If you start to descend and your static ports are clogged, the static pressure in your airspeed indicator will be lower than the surrounding air, and the airspeed will read faster than you're actually flying, because there's not enough static pressure to offset the ram air.

  4. 4) You're instructed to hold at 14,000' MSL. What's your maximum holding speed?

    When you're above 6,000' MSL and at or below 14,000' MSL, you're limited to 230 KIAS in a holding pattern, unless you receive an exception from ATC.

    When you're above 6,000' MSL and at or below 14,000' MSL, you're limited to 230 KIAS in a holding pattern, unless you receive an exception from ATC.

  5. 5) Why does CAPE Approach Control have a star (*) by its frequency?
    View Nantucket Memorial ILS RWY 24 Approach Chart

    The star means approach control operates part-time.

    The star means approach control operates part-time.

  6. 6) If your attitude indicator fails in flight, can you hang your flashlight from the visor to tell if you're banking left or right, assuming you stay coordinated?

    Unfortunately, this doesn't work. As long as you're coordinated, the flashlight will hang straight down in a bank. Give it a try on your next flight (in VMC, of course).

    Unfortunately, this doesn't work. As long as you're coordinated, the flashlight will hang straight down in a bank. Give it a try on your next flight (in VMC, of course).

It looks like you need to brush up a little before your checkride...

You scored % Better luck next time.

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Not bad...

You scored % Nice work.

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Nailed it!

You scored % You'd fly through your checkride today!

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