Free Instrument Rating Airplane Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Instrument Rating Airplane practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A private pilot holds an airplane single-engine land rating and plans to act as PIC on an IFR flight in visual weather. All medical and recent-experience requirements are met. Which additional qualification is required for that flight?

   1. A. An airplane instrument rating
   2. B. An airplane multiengine rating
   3. C. A complex-airplane endorsement
   4. D. A high-performance endorsement

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 61.3(e) applies to flight "under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR flight". Visual weather does not remove the instrument-rating requirement for an IFR flight.

   Reference: 14 CFR 61.3 — Requirement for Certificates, Ratings, and Authorizations — §61.3(e)(1)

2. 2A pilot checks the operating principle of the airplane's pneumatic wing deicing boots before an IFR flight. How does that system remove accumulated ice?

   1. A. Heat the leading edge to release the ice bond
   2. B. Inflate rubber tubes to fracture the ice layer
   3. C. Pulse the metal skin to release the ice bond
   4. D. Spread freezing-point depressant along the surface

   Answer: B

   Explanation: AC 91-74B describes a valve that "selectively inflates all tubes or half of the tubes intermittently to crack the ice". Airflow then removes the fractured ice. Heating, electroimpact, and fluid systems use different ice-protection mechanisms.

   Reference: Pilot Guide: Flight in Icing Conditions — ¶3-4(a), p.19

3. 3An airplane remains on the ground at a nontowered airport when its IFR clearance void time expires. What is the effect on the pilot's authority to depart IFR?

   1. A. It remains valid until the thirty-minute overdue-aircraft reporting period has elapsed
   2. B. It is restored when the pilot initiates takeoff before the overdue reporting period ends
   3. C. It is withdrawn until ATC issues a new release acknowledged by the pilot
   4. D. It is restored when the pilot broadcasts departure and confirms that local traffic is clear

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The AIM says expiry "withdraws the pilot's authority to depart IFR until a new departure release/release time has been issued by ATC and is acknowledged by the pilot." The 30-minute overdue period is not a departure extension.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Departure Procedures — ¶5-2-7, Clearance Void Times

4. 4A pilot uses the control-and-performance method to establish a new flight condition on instruments. Which pair provides the immediate attitude and power references used to set that condition?

   1. A. Altimeter and vertical speed indicator
   2. B. Attitude indicator and manifold pressure gauge
   3. C. Airspeed indicator and vertical speed indicator
   4. D. Heading indicator and course deviation indicator

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states: "Control is determined by reference to the attitude and power indicators." An attitude indicator and manifold pressure gauge provide those two references; the other pairs indicate performance or navigation rather than both control inputs.

   Reference: Instrument Flying Handbook — Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying — Control and Performance Method — Control Instruments

5. 5An airplane is directly east of a VOR and tracks straight west toward the station without wind. On which VOR radial is the airplane located before station passage?

   1. A. 090° radial
   2. B. 180° radial
   3. C. 270° radial
   4. D. 360° radial

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states: "The courses oriented FROM the station are called radials." A position east of the VOR is on its 090° radial even while the airplane heads inbound on 270°.

   Reference: Instrument Flying Handbook — Navigation Systems — VOR — Radials

6. 6An airplane is flying an LNAV approach with advisory vertical guidance. The runway remains obscured and no required visual reference is available. How should the pilot treat the published minimum descent altitude?

   1. A. Treat it as a decision altitude and continue along the advisory path
   2. B. Treat it as a descent limit despite the advisory vertical indication
   3. C. Replace it with the altitude indicated by the advisory glidepath
   4. D. Replace it with the decision altitude from the LPV minima line

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 91.175(c)(3) requires that "at least one of the following visual references for the intended runway is distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot:" before descent below the applicable MDA. An advisory vertical indication is not such a runway visual reference and does not authorize descending below the published MDA.

   Reference: 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and landing under IFR — §91.175(c)(3)

7. 7An airplane loses two-way radio communications in IMC while being radar vectored to join an airway at a named fix. VFR flight is not practicable. What route should the pilot follow immediately after the failure?

   1. A. Direct to the destination airport reference point
   2. B. Direct to the filed route's next waypoint
   3. C. Direct to the departure airport's navigation facility
   4. D. Direct to the fix specified in the vector clearance

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Section 91.185(c)(1)(ii) prescribes "the direct route from the point of radio failure to the fix, route, or airway specified in the vector clearance". The named fix in that clearance, rather than an independently selected destination or filed waypoint, controls this vectoring situation.

   Reference: 14 CFR 91.185 — IFR operations: Two-way radio communications failure — §91.185(c)(1)(ii)

8. 8During postflight inspection after precipitation static degraded the radios, a pilot discovers broken static wicks. What is the handbook's recommended timing for replacing them?

   1. A. At the next annual inspection regardless of further IFR use
   2. B. Before the next instrument flight
   3. C. After the next flight confirms renewed radio interference
   4. D. At the next transponder inspection regardless of further IFR use

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states: "Broken or missing static wicks should be replaced before an instrument flight." The discovered discrepancy therefore calls for replacement before another IFR operation rather than waiting for recurrence or an unrelated scheduled inspection.

   Reference: Instrument Flying Handbook — IFR Flight — Precipitation Static — Static wicks

9. 9An airplane pilot uses the ordinary aircraft-based recent-experience provisions of §61.57(c)(1), with no exception applicable. When checking eligibility to act as PIC on an October IFR flight, which lookback period applies to the required approaches, holding, and course interception and tracking?

   1. A. The 90 days preceding the flight
   2. B. The 6 calendar months preceding October
   3. C. The 12 calendar months preceding October
   4. D. The 24 calendar months preceding October

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 61.57(c)(1) specifies "Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight". For an October flight, the relevant calendar months are April through September; passenger-carrying, medical, and flight-review intervals do not replace this requirement.

   Reference: 14 CFR 61.57 — Recent Flight Experience: Pilot in Command — §61.57(c)(1)

10. 10A fuel-injected airplane's normal induction-air source becomes obstructed by ice during an IFR flight. Which installed system provides a replacement path for combustion air?

    1. A. Pitot heat
    2. B. Propeller deicing
    3. C. Alternate air
    4. D. Windshield anti-icing

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The handbook states: "Manufacturers provide an alternate air source that may be selected in case the normal system malfunctions." This addresses the blocked induction-air source; the other named protection systems do not supply combustion air.

    Reference: Instrument Flying Handbook — Aerodynamic Factors — Types of Icing — Induction Icing