Chapter 6: Radio Instrument Flight Procedures

CHAPTER SIX

RADIO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PROCEDURES

600.

INTRODUCTION

As you have probably realized by now, RIs will be one of the more demanding stages of your

training, and will require much study and concentration. Here, especially, a thorough working

knowledge of procedures is essential to your success on instructional flights. However, you must

go beyond rote memorization of procedures and strive for a clear understanding of each maneuver

before you get into the cockpit and fly the maneuver for the first time. Remember, the knowledge

gained in this stage of your training will be utilized time and time again as you progress through

the training command and in your operational flying.

As important as RI procedures and concepts are, you must be aware of your priorities while in

flight. Remember the golden rule, "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate." Perform these

functions in that order. In other words, maintaining desired flight parameters (heading, altitude,

airspeed, etc.) and monitoring aircraft systems performance should be your first priority. Do not

become preoccupied with navigation at the expense of basic airwork. It would be pointless to

have a precise plot of your position if you accidentally stalled the aircraft while making this plot.

Remember, "Fly the aircraft first."

Navigating your aircraft properly has a higher priority than communicating. To make the

reasoning behind this clear, consider the following. During many flights there are points when

just flying and navigating properly takes all of your concentration. Attempting to engage in radio

communications at this point could overload you to the point of making errors in your flying and

navigating. This is not to say that necessary radio transmissions should be omitted or delayed

excessively. However, a slight delay in reporting your flight situation is preferable to ending up

in a bad situation because you overloaded yourself with communication tasks.

TURN RULE. Maneuvering turns of more than 30 in Instrument Flight are made at standard

rate or 30 AOB, whichever occurs first. For turns of 30 or less, never use an AOB more than the

number of degrees to turn (i.e., 10 heading change do not use over a 10 AOB).

A STUDY HINT. The RI FTI contains several procedures such as "6 Ts," and the sector rules

for Holding Entry, etc. which are devised to organize your time in the airplane and to jog your

memory. But alone, they will not carry you far. Look for the underlying principles and never

lose sight of the big picture, the end result or objective of each maneuver. Visualize your track

over the ground. Each type of maneuver you fly in RI has a direct "real world" application; none

is done just for the sake of a basic airwork exercise.

601.

INSTRUMENT/EQUIPMENT CHECKOUT

Prior to each flight it is essential that all instruments and equipment be checked for proper operation.

Prior to the runup area, the student will have completed the Instrument Checklist and will report to

the instructor,

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