FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII) flashcards

Timed inbound leg length in a standard holding pattern based on altitude, used when no DME/RNAV distance or other leg length is specified.

• 1 minute inbound leg at or below 14,000 feet MSL
• 1 minute 30 seconds inbound leg above 14,000 feet MSL
• DME/RNAV holds instead specify leg length in nautical miles
• Timing begins abeam the fix or when wings level, whichever occurs later

Memory trick: '1 minute low, 1.5 up high' — legs stretch as you climb

A nonradar procedure where aircraft depart a holding fix at specified time intervals to fly an instrument approach when weather is at or above minimums and a tower/radar is not providing separation.

• Requires reported weather at or above approach minimums
• Used when radar is not available for separation
• Only one missed approach aircraft handled at a time
• Requires direct pilot-controller communication

Memory trick: Weather must be 'good enough' before the clock starts ticking

A combined navigation instrument featuring a gyro-stabilized (slaved) compass card and one or two bearing pointers that display magnetic bearing to a selected NDB or VOR station regardless of aircraft heading.

• Compass card is slaved to a flux valve/gyro system for continuous heading display
• Bearing pointer(s) show magnetic bearing to station, not relative bearing
• Eliminates the need to mentally correct fixed-card ADF readings for heading changes

Memory trick: RMI = a compass card that never lies, always pointing straight at the station

A technique where a pilot mentally rehearses procedures and callouts without physically operating the aircraft, reinforcing memory and reducing workload.

• Also called mental imagery or armchair flying
• Reinforces sequence and callouts for complex procedures
• Can be used for approaches, emergencies, and checklists

Memory trick: Chair flying = flying the whole approach without ever leaving your couch.

Continued rehearsal of a skill after initial mastery to increase retention and reliability, especially under stress.

• Goes beyond minimum proficiency
• Builds automatic, stress-resistant performance
• Useful for emergency procedures and critical skills

Memory trick: Overlearning = practicing a fire drill until it's second nature.

A small temperature/dewpoint spread indicates air near saturation; combined with visible moisture and temperatures between 0°C and -20°C, this signals high icing potential.

• Spread near 0 indicates high relative humidity/saturation
• Icing most likely between 0°C and -20°C
• Requires visible moisture (clouds, precipitation) to occur

Memory trick: Small spread, saturated air, icy pair—icing's near.

Regulation requiring the static system, altimeter, and altitude reporting equipment be tested within the preceding 24 calendar months for IFR flight in controlled airspace.

• 24-calendar-month interval, same as transponder check (91.413)
• Applies only to IFR flight in controlled airspace
• Test must be performed by an appropriately certificated repair station or manufacturer

Memory trick: Static system and transponder both nap for 24 months.

The accepted error tolerance for DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) readings, per AIM, is 0.5 NM plus 3% of the distance from the station.

• Formula: tolerance = 0.5 NM + (0.03 × distance)
• At 10 NM, allowable error is 0.8 NM
• Used to validate DME accuracy for arcs and step-down fixes

Memory trick: Half a mile base, plus 3% growing with distance — 'DME grows slack the farther you go.'

Learning occurs best when the student is physically and mentally prepared to learn; forcing learning on an unready student is ineffective.

• Part of Thorndike's laws of learning
• Readiness includes physical, mental, and emotional states
• Instructors should assess student readiness before each lesson

Memory trick: 'READY, EXERCISE, EFFECT, RECENCY, INTENSITY, PRIMACY' — REERIP builds learning.

A condition where the environmental (actual) lapse rate exceeds the dry adiabatic lapse rate, causing rising unsaturated air to remain warmer than its surroundings at every altitude.

• Dry adiabatic lapse rate is approximately 3°C per 1,000 feet
• If environmental lapse rate > DALR, the air mass is absolutely unstable
• Environmental lapse rate is calculated from actual temperature soundings

Memory trick: Steeper than 3-per-1000 means the air is racing upward—absolutely unstable.

Before taking the instrument rating practical test, an applicant must meet several prerequisites including certificate requirements, knowledge test passage, aeronautical experience, and a recent instructional endorsement.

• Applicant must hold a private or commercial pilot certificate with the appropriate category rating.
• Must pass the instrument rating knowledge test.
• Must receive and log ground and flight training in required areas.
• Must receive instruction and endorsement within the preceding 2 calendar months.

Memory trick: 'Two months fresh, or the endorsement's stale.'

When the glideslope becomes unusable during an ILS approach, the approach must be flown as a localizer-only nonprecision approach using the higher LOC MDA and increased visibility minimums published on the same chart.

• LOC minimums use MDA instead of DA
• LOC minimums require greater visibility than the full ILS
• Chart typically publishes both ILS and LOC minima in the same minimums block

Memory trick: 'Lose the Slope, Use the LOC line.'

A pre-flight or pre-approach prediction of GPS Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring availability; if unavailable at the ETA, GPS-based approach guidance may not be usable and an alternate plan is required.

• RAIM ensures GPS position integrity for non-precision approach use
• Predictive RAIM should be checked before flight when GPS is the sole approach means
• If unavailable, pilot must have an alternate approach or navigation method

Memory trick: 'No RAIM, No Claim' to fly the GPS approach.

An airport lacking a published instrument approach procedure may still be filed as an alternate if forecast weather permits a VFR descent, approach, and landing at the ETA.

• Applies only when no instrument approach procedure is published for that airport.
• Requires forecast ceiling/visibility supporting basic VFR descent and landing.
• Different from standard alternate minima (600-2/800-2) used when an approach exists.

Memory trick: 'No approach? No problem — just make sure VFR gets you down.'

Color-coded arcs on the airspeed indicator denote operating speed ranges: white (flap range), green (normal), yellow (caution), and a red line (never-exceed).

• Green arc top = VNO (max structural cruising speed)
• Yellow arc = caution range, smooth air only
• Red line = VNE, never-exceed speed

Memory trick: Green tops out at 'NO-go-fast' (VNO) before yellow caution.

Fast-moving cold fronts produce a narrow band of intense, showery precipitation, possible thunderstorms, and gusty winds, with rapid clearing after passage due to the steep frontal slope.

• Steep slope leads to narrow band of severe weather
• Often produces thunderstorms and gusty winds
• Rapid clearing follows frontal passage

Memory trick: Cold fronts hit 'Hard and Fast' then clear quickly.

A published procedure providing obstacle clearance guidance for departures, identified by a black triangle with a white 'T' on approach charts, found in the Takeoff Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure Procedures section.

• Indicates nonstandard takeoff minimums and/or an ODP exists
• May be textual only or depicted graphically
• Not mandatory unless assigned by ATC as part of a clearance, but recommended for obstacle clearance
• Different from a SID, which requires ATC assignment

Memory trick: 'Trouble T' triangle warns: check takeoff minimums before you go

Mountain wave turbulence forms when strong winds blow perpendicular to a mountain ridge in a stable air mass, creating oscillating wave patterns downwind that can produce severe turbulence and strong vertical currents.

• Requires strong wind (often >25kt) roughly perpendicular to the ridge
• Occurs in stable air masses
• Standing lenticular clouds and rotor clouds are visual indicators
• Can cause severe turbulence and altitude excursions even at high altitudes

Memory trick: Lenticular clouds = frozen wave photos of turbulent air

Ground-based transmitters along the ILS course that provide distinctive lights and audio tones in the cockpit to identify specific points along the approach.

• Outer Marker: blue light, 400 Hz continuous dashes
• Middle Marker: amber light, 1300 Hz alternating dot-dash
• Inner Marker: white light, 3000 Hz continuous dots

Memory trick: Blue sky is far Out, Amber is in the Middle, White is nearly In (the runway)

An instrument procedure where a pilot flies an approach to one runway and, upon reaching minimums with the parallel runway in sight, visually maneuvers to land on a parallel runway spaced 1,200 feet or less from the approach runway.

• Authorized for parallel runways 1,200 ft or less apart
• Uses adjusted (often higher) minimums published on the chart
• No separate IAP or procedure turn needed for the parallel runway
• Pilot must have required visual references for the landing runway

Memory trick: Side-step = 'shuffle over' to the twin runway once you can see it

A rough, milky, opaque ice formation caused by small supercooled water droplets freezing instantly on impact, typically in stratiform clouds.

• Common in stable stratus clouds with small droplets
• Freezes quickly, trapping air bubbles for a rough opaque look
• Less hazardous aerodynamically than clear ice but still degrades performance

Memory trick: Rime is rough and rapid; Clear is smooth and slow.

Simulated instrument time may only be logged by the pilot flying solely by reference to instruments under a view-limiting device; a safety pilot may log PIC time but not instrument time unless also flying by instrument reference.

• Only the pilot under the hood logs simulated instrument time
• Safety pilot may log PIC time as required crewmember
• Actual instrument time requires flight solely by reference to instruments due to weather
• No IFR clearance is required to practice simulated instrument flight in VMC

Memory trick: 'Only the hood-wearer logs the hours; the watcher logs command.'

A backup display mode that allows the multi-function display (MFD) to present primary flight instrument data if the primary flight display (PFD) fails.

• Activated automatically or manually via a reversion switch
• Combines attitude, airspeed, altitude, and heading data on the MFD
• Distinct from standby (backup) instruments, which are separate physical gauges

Memory trick: PFD dies, MFD steps in — reversion mode saves the day.

An ATC clearance allowing an IFR flight to operate in VMC using VFR cruising altitudes while remaining on an IFR flight plan.

• Pilot selects altitude per 91.159 VFR cruising altitude rules
• Must comply with VFR visibility and cloud clearance minimums
• IFR flight plan and separation services continue until canceled or landing

Memory trick: 'On top, pick your own altitude, stay VFR.'

TERPS criteria require the final approach course to be within 30 degrees of the extended runway centerline (and meet descent gradient limits) for straight-in minimums to be published; otherwise only circling minimums are published.

• Maximum course offset for straight-in minimums is 30 degrees
• Descent gradient must also not exceed established limits
• Exceeding these limits results in circling-only minimums for that runway

Memory trick: 'Thirty or it's Circling only.'

Fog that forms when moist, stable air is mechanically lifted over rising terrain and cools adiabatically to the saturation point.

• Does not require clear skies or calm winds like radiation fog
• Common on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains
• Can form with winds and overcast conditions, unlike radiation fog

Memory trick: Upslope fog: air climbs the hill and cools until it can't hold its water anymore.

The technique of beginning the turn onto the inbound course approximately 10 degrees prior to reaching the defining radial while flying a DME arc, to compensate for turn radius.

• Standard lead is 10 degrees
• Compensates for aircraft turn radius
• Used at the completion of a DME arc procedure
• Distance is maintained via DME readings along the arc

Memory trick: Lead by 10 to land on the line

Connections between stimulus and response are strengthened through repetition and practice, and weakened through disuse.

• Emphasizes 'practice makes perfect'
• Applies to both physical and mental skills
• Supports spaced repetition across multiple lessons

Memory trick: 'READY, EXERCISE, EFFECT, RECENCY, INTENSITY, PRIMACY' — REERIP builds learning.

PAR (Precision Approach Radar) provides both azimuth and glidepath to a DH; ASR (Airport Surveillance Radar) provides azimuth only to an MDA.

• PAR: precision approach, azimuth + glidepath, descend to DH
• ASR: nonprecision, azimuth only, descend to MDA
• Controller can give recommended altitudes each mile on ASR final upon request

Memory trick: 'PAR = Precise (both), ASR = Azimuth only (Surveillance).'

ATC may clear an IFR flight for a visual approach when the pilot reports the airport or preceding traffic in sight and weather conditions support visual maneuvering, allowing expedited arrival while remaining on the IFR flight plan.

• Requires airport or preceding aircraft in sight
• Weather must support safe visual maneuvering to the runway
• Aircraft remains on the IFR flight plan during the approach

Memory trick: 'See it, clear it' — visual contact triggers the visual approach clearance.

A course reversal (procedure turn) is not required when the aircraft is radar vectored to the final approach course, when on a route labeled NoPT, when conducting a timed approach from a holding fix, or when cleared for a straight-in approach.

• Radar vectors to final eliminate PT requirement
• Charted 'NoPT' routes skip the course reversal
• Timed approaches from holding fix omit PT
• PT barb only applies to routes without NoPT restriction

Memory trick: Vectors, NoPT labels, and timed approaches all say 'skip the twist'

When previously learned skills or habits interfere with the acquisition of a new, different skill.

• Opposite of positive transfer
• Common when old habits conflict with new procedures
• Instructors must identify and correct these interfering habits early

Memory trick: Positive helps, Negative hurts—like a plus and minus sign fighting.

A wind caused by cold, dense air flowing downhill from higher terrain into valleys under gravity, typically occurring at night with radiational cooling.

• Opposite of anabatic (upslope, daytime) winds
• Common in mountainous terrain on clear, calm nights
• Can cause locally strong, gusty surface winds despite light winds aloft

Memory trick: Kat-abatic = 'cat creeping downhill'—cold air slinks down at night.

At or below an airport's published minimum temperature, a barometric altimeter over-reads true altitude, requiring pilots to add a correction to published minimum altitudes to maintain obstacle clearance.

• Cold temperature restricted airports are listed with a minimum temperature threshold
• Correction values increase with height above the airport and colder temperatures
• Correction is added to the charted altitude, not subtracted

Memory trick: 'Cold air, Add the Fare' — add the correction in the cold.

Under 61.65(a)-(b), an applicant must receive ground training or complete a home-study course on required knowledge areas, with instructor certification of preparedness, before taking the knowledge test.

• Applicant must hold or be concurrently earning a private pilot certificate
• Ground training or home-study course must cover required knowledge areas
• Instructor endorsement certifies the applicant is prepared for the knowledge test

Memory trick: 'Know before you go: knowledge training before the knowledge test.'

Friction within the gimbals of the attitude indicator gyro produces small, temporary pitch and bank errors after turns, which self-correct through the erecting mechanism.

• Most noticeable after turns greater than 180°
• Self-corrects within about 1 minute
• Caused by gimbal friction precession, not instrument failure
• Distinct from total instrument failure from a vacuum or power loss

Memory trick: Turn hard, gyro flinches — but it forgives itself in a minute.

The gradual drift of a vacuum or electric heading indicator caused by internal gyro friction, requiring periodic realignment with the magnetic compass.

• Normal drift is a few degrees per 15-20 minutes
• Reset only during straight-and-level, unaccelerated flight
• Excessive or rapid drift may indicate instrument or vacuum system malfunction

Memory trick: Friction makes the gyro drift—reset it like resetting a clock

When an alternate airport's approach chart does not list specific alternate minimums, standard minimums apply: 600-2 for a precision approach and 800-2 for a nonprecision approach, based on forecast conditions at ETA.

• 600-2 = precision approach standard alternate minimum
• 800-2 = nonprecision approach standard alternate minimum
• Applies only if chart doesn't list 'NA' or other specific minimums
• Some airports/approaches list nonstandard alternate minimums or are not authorized as alternates (NA)

Memory trick: 6-2 for precision, 8-2 for non — remember 'six-two, eight-two'

Regulation specifying the minimum visual references required to descend below DH or MDA, with an additional 100-foot AGL floor when only the approach light system (without red bars) is in sight.

• Approach lights alone: descend no lower than 100 feet above TDZE
• Red terminating bars or red side row bars distinctly visible: may continue below 100 feet
• Other qualifying references (runway, threshold markings, PAPI/VASI, etc.) also permit continued descent
• Flight visibility must also be at or above the published minimum

Memory trick: 'Lights alone stop you at 100 — red bars let you go lower'

14 CFR 61.65 requires 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, of which at least 15 hours must be instrument flight training from an authorized instructor.

• 40 total hours actual/simulated instrument time required
• At least 15 hours must be instructor-given instrument training
• 50 hours of cross-country PIC time also required (10 in an airplane for airplane rating)

Memory trick: '40 to fly blind, 15 with a guide.'

Standard transponder codes alert ATC to specific situations: 7500 hijacking, 7600 radio failure, 7700 general emergency.

• 7600 = two-way radio communications failure
• 7500 = unlawful interference/hijacking
• 7700 = general emergency

Memory trick: '5-High-jack, 6-No-talk, 7-Trouble.'

A continuous risk management cycle where the pilot Perceives hazards, Processes their impact using tools like PAVE/CARE/TEAM, and Performs the best option.

• Perceive: identify hazards
• Process: evaluate impact using risk tools
• Perform: implement best course of action
• Repeats continuously throughout flight

Memory trick: 'See it, Think it, Do it'—Perceive, Process, Perform.

When one pilot uses a view-limiting device, a safety pilot must occupy the other control seat, hold at least a private pilot certificate with appropriate category and class ratings, and have adequate vision forward and to each side.

• Minimum: private pilot cert with correct category/class rating
• No instrument rating required for the safety pilot
• Must occupy the other control seat with adequate visibility

Memory trick: 'Safety pilot just needs the wings, not the hood.'

When only the pitot tube inlet is blocked but the drain hole stays open, trapped pressure leaks to ambient static pressure, causing the airspeed indicator to read toward zero regardless of actual speed.

• Fully sealed blockage (no drain) makes ASI act like an altimeter
• Open drain hole allows pressure to bleed to ambient, causing ASI to read low/zero
• Pitot heat prevents ice-induced blockages in flight

Memory trick: Drain open = pressure drains away, needle fades away

A four-step teaching method: explanation, demonstration, student performance (supervised), and evaluation.

• Explanation clarifies the 'why' and 'how'
• Demonstration shows the skill correctly
• Student performs under direct supervision before evaluation

Memory trick: EDPE: Explain, Demonstrate, Perform, Evaluate

A warm front occurs where warm air advances over retreating cooler air along a gently sloping boundary, producing widespread low stratiform clouds and steady precipitation well ahead of the surface position.

• Gentle frontal slope (about 1:100)
• Widespread stratus/nimbostratus and fog
• Steady precipitation lasting hours
• Poor visibility common near the surface

Memory trick: Warm front = slow, wide, wet blanket of clouds

A pilot may cancel an IFR flight plan in flight only while operating in VFR conditions outside Class A airspace, after which ATC no longer provides IFR separation services.

• Cancellation requires VFR conditions and airspace outside Class A.
• Pilot must notify ATC or the nearest FSS directly.
• Once canceled, IFR separation services end immediately.
• Pilot must not cancel while still in IMC.

Memory trick: 'Cancel only under blue skies, never in the gray.'

An IFR-approved GPS with a current database may be used in lieu of ADF or DME (and in some cases VOR) for identifying fixes on published procedures, per AIM and AC 90-108 guidance.

• Applies to ADF and DME substitution primarily
• Requires IFR-approved GPS with current database
• Also covered under RNAV substitution rules (AC 90-108)
• Does not require VFR conditions or visual verification

Memory trick: 'GPS steps in when ADF steps out' — modern nav covers old gaps.

In the International Standard Atmosphere, temperature decreases at approximately 2°C per 1,000 feet from a sea-level standard of 15°C, up to the tropopause at about 36,000 feet where standard temperature is −56.5°C.

• Sea-level standard: 15°C and 29.92 inHg
• Lapse rate: approximately 2°C per 1,000 feet
• Tropopause standard temperature: approximately -56.5°C at ~36,000 ft

Memory trick: Two degrees colder every thousand feet, like climbing into a freezer

TAS is approximately CAS increased by 2% for every 1,000 feet of altitude under standard atmospheric conditions, reflecting decreasing air density with altitude.

• Rule of thumb: +2% TAS per 1,000 ft above CAS
• Air density decreases with altitude, requiring higher TAS for same dynamic pressure
• IAS≈CAS≈EAS at low speed/altitude with corrections
• TAS is used for flight planning and navigation calculations

Memory trick: Two percent a grand, TAS climbs as planned.

Before IFR flight, a pilot must have checked VOR accuracy within the preceding 30 days using one of several approved methods, each with a specified tolerance.

• VOT check: ±4 degrees.
• Certificated ground checkpoint: ±4 degrees.
• Certificated airborne checkpoint: ±6 degrees.
• Dual VOR receiver check: ±4 degrees difference between the two.

Memory trick: 'VOT and Ground are tight at 4, Air is loose at 6.'

A properly conducted IPC that includes flight review content can satisfy both the IPC and flight review requirements simultaneously, if the instructor provides both endorsements.

• Requires inclusion of 61.56(a) flight review tasks
• Requires satisfactory performance by the pilot
• Requires the instructor to endorse for both events separately
• Saves time by combining two currency requirements into one flight

Memory trick: 'Two birds, one flight' — an IPC can knock out the flight review too.

To act as PIC under IFR or in IMC, a pilot must have performed within the preceding 6 calendar months at least 6 instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting/tracking courses using navigational systems.

• 6 calendar months, not 90 days
• Must include 6 approaches, holding, and course intercept/tracking
• If lapsed >6 months, a 6-month grace period exists before an IPC is required

Memory trick: '6 in 6' — six tasks within six months keeps you IFR legal.

When the static port is obstructed, the airspeed indicator behaves like an altimeter, under-reading during a climb above the blockage point and over-reading during a descent below it.

• Static pressure freezes at the value present at the moment of blockage
• Airspeed = pitot pressure minus static pressure
• Altimeter and VSI freeze completely when static-blocked
• Alternate static source should be selected to restore accurate readings

Memory trick: 'Static stuck, speed's outta luck' — climb high, speed reads low.

An in-flight weather advisory for severe or embedded thunderstorms, lines of thunderstorms with hail ≥3/4 inch, surface winds ≥50 knots, or tornadoes.

• Issued for severe thunderstorm conditions specifically
• Valid for 2 hours, issued every hour with special updates
• Implies severe or greater turbulence, icing, and low-level wind shear

Memory trick: Convective SIGMET = 'Storms So Intense' with hail, wind, or tornadoes.

Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for temperature deviation from standard; higher density altitude significantly degrades aircraft performance.

• Standard temp decreases 2°C per 1,000 ft (ISA lapse rate)
• Approximate rule: add 120 ft density altitude per °C above standard
• High density altitude reduces lift, engine power, and propeller efficiency

Memory trick: Hot and high robs you of sky—density altitude steals performance.

A flight instructor providing instrument training toward a rating must have logged at least 200 hours PIC, with at least 100 hours in the relevant category.

• Applies to instrument training for a rating or 61.65(d) cross-country
• 200 hours total PIC minimum
• At least 100 hours must be in airplane (if teaching airplane instrument)
• Or in helicopter if teaching helicopter instrument

Memory trick: '200 total, 100 in type' — the CFII must earn their stripes first.

CAT is turbulence occurring in clear air, often associated with strong wind shear near the tropopause on the cold (polar) side of the jet stream, especially where the jet curves or changes speed abruptly.

• Jet stream: narrow band of strong winds near the tropopause
• CAT strongest where wind shear is greatest, not where wind speed is highest
• Cold/polar side of jet has the sharpest shear
• Cirrus clouds ('mares' tails') can be a visual clue to jet stream location

Memory trick: Shear, not speed, shakes the plane — look to the cold side of the jet

Unstable air rises freely, producing cumuliform clouds, turbulence, showery precipitation, and good visibility except in precipitation.

• Cumuliform clouds with vertical development
• Turbulent, bumpy flying conditions
• Good visibility except in showers

Memory trick: Unstable air 'Ups and Bumps'—towering clouds and turbulence.

Radiation fog forms over land on clear, calm nights with high relative humidity as the surface cools by radiational heat loss, chilling the adjacent air to its dewpoint.

• Requires clear skies and light/calm winds
• Forms overnight, typically over low-lying areas
• Usually dissipates by mid-morning as the sun heats the ground
• Can be dense enough to produce IFR conditions

Memory trick: Radiation fog = the ground shivers itself into a blanket overnight