Instrument Flight
Ground Procedures
GROUND PROCEDURES
Prior to taking off on an instrument flight, you must ensure that the instruments/displays, navigation
equipment, radios, aircraft lighting, and the hood are in proper operational condition.
INSTRUMENT CHECKLIST
Before each IFR flight, ensure that all the instruments/displays, communications gear, and navigational
equipment are in proper operating order by completing the instrument checklist in NATOPS, Chapter 19,
reprinted below. Check the following list of equipment while in the chocks, prior to taxi. Items marked
with an asterisk must be checked during taxi.
1. Check all communications and navigation equipment for correct operation.
2. Set navigation equipment to local station.
3. Check cockpit lighting, if necessary, and set as low as possible in order to retain night vision. Adjust
the kneeboard lights for use in reading approach plates, charts, kneeboard cards, etc.
4. Vertical speed indicator (VSI) - The VSI on the ADI display is set to zero with weight-on-wheels.
Check the standby VSI for ZERO (note error if not zero).
5. Airspeed indication - Minimum airspeed indication on ADI display is 50 knots. Check standby
airspeed indicator - ZERO.
6. ADI display - Adjust ADI display pitch with the pitch trim selection on the ADI display (+/- 5 degrees),
ensure waterline is on horizon. Adjust the standby AI, ensure waterline is on the horizon.
7. Altimeter - Set the standby altimeter to field barometric pressure. Note the barometric altitude on the
ADI display. (Note error if not equal to field height. The aircraft is down for IFR flight if the error
exceeds +/- 75 ft.). ADI display altitude is based on the barometric altimeter setting on the standby
altimeter.
8. Clock - Set and running.
9. Standby compass - Swings freely, fluid full.
10. HUD, HSI display, ADI display heading indications - Check for proper operation while taxiing.
11. Check turn needle and ball for proper function during turns while taxiing.
LOW ALTITUDE WARNING (LAW)
Procedures for Low Altitude Warning usage are outlined:
1. Takeoff - the LAW is set to the 100- to 200-ft range for low altitude warning during climbout.
2. En route - the LAW is set to at 5,000 ft (platform) if above 5,000 ft; and at the desired altitude; less by
approximately 10 percent if below 5,000 ft.
3. Penetration - during penetrations, the LAW advisory shall be set at 5,000 ft (platform) so the LAW
advisory will serve as a warning to break the rate of descent.
4. Set the LAW to Height Above Touchdown for precision approaches and Minimum Descent Altitude for
non-precision approaches.
(4-01) Original
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