### Objective Learn proper IFR planning procedures and communications techniques, including copying clearances and normal communications ### Resources - [[IFH]] Appendix A (clearance shorthand) > [!tip] Pre-Lesson Reading/Homework here: [[~ IRA Pre-Lesson Reading]] ### Builds On [[IRA2.1 Charts and Approach Plates]] ### Schedule Ground 3.0 hr ### Lesson Elements #### IFR Flight Planning 1. Navigation logs, plotters, computers (E6B, etc.), wind computations 2. Route selection 1. Using preferred IFR routing and [[TEC]] routes 2. Most frequently cleared route 3. Obtaining weather briefings, including NOTAMS and adverse conditions such as icing, wind shear and turbulence^[Weather details covered in [[IRA3.1 IFR Weather and Weather Services]]] 4. [[Alternate Airport Selection (IFR)]] 5. Knowledge of [[GPS]] and [[RAIM]] capability and prediction, and when necessary to check 1. [[FDE]] 6. Fuel planning and requirements ([[FAR 91.167 IFR Fuel Reqs]]) 7. Flight plan forms and filing 1. [Equipment codes](https://support.foreflight.com/hc/en-us/articles/360049193173-ICAO-Equipment-and-PBN-Code-Setup-Guide) on [[ForeFlight]] 8. Obtaining clearance 1. Clearance typically available 30min before departure time and 120min after 2. Procedures for activating and closing IFR flight plans 9. [[Personal minimums]] and go/no-go decisions ([[Complete IFR Preflight Checklist]]) 10. Common errors 1. Inadequate preflight planning and briefings 2. Incorrect understanding of alternate minimums #### IFR Flying > [!tip] Practice Approaches in [[VFR]] vs Actual [[IFR]] > 1. Essentially developing two skills: one for VFR practice^[How we maintain currency and generally practice] and one for IFR flights^[How we actually fly under IFR] > 2. Much shared phraseology, but some key differences > 1. [[Practice Approach Radio Communication Examples]] > 2. [[IFR Radio Communication Examples]] 1. [[ATC]] system 1. Communication and Navigation facilities (Approach/Departure ([[TRACON]]), Center [[ARTCC]]) 1. Sectors (see [[The Landline]] for a good example of coordination) 2. [[Radar]], [[transponder]]s, and [[ADS-B]] 3. [[FSS]] 2. Enroute procedures 1. Fuel planning and monitoring, re-calculating fuel reserves 1. [[Minimum Fuel]] and [[Emergency Fuel]] 2. [[InFO 08004]] 3. [Avianca Flight 052](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avianca_Flight_052) #case-study 2. Weather updates 3. Route changes 4. Diversion to alternate 5. Handling VFR traffic in your way ([[FAR 91.181 Course to Be Flown|FAR 91.181]]) 3. Communications 1. Priorities: [[Aviate, Navigate, Communicate]] 2. Required reports ([[MARVELOUS VFR C500]]) - ([[AIM 5]]-3-3) 3. Position reports^[Good read in [[IFR Magazine]] at [this link](https://www.flyingmag.com/position-reports/)] 1. [[designated reporting point]]s ([[FAR 91.183 IFR Communications]](a) and [[AIM 5]]-3-2, non-radar) 2. Position report structure ([[PTATEN]] mnemonic) ([[AIM 5]]-3-2(d)) 1. Position 2. Time 3. Altitude 4. Type of flight plan (only required for reports to [[FSS]]…not to center or approach) 5. Estimated time of arrival at the next reporting point 6. Name of the reporting point after that 4. Clearances ([[Sample IFR Clearances]]) 1. When are clearances required? 1. [[FAR 91.173 ATC Clearance Reqd|FAR 91.173]] 2. However, see [[Lamb 2016]] [[LOI]], which states operating IFR in uncontrolled airspace can be careless and reckless under [[FAR 91.13 Careless or Reckless Ops|91.13]], depending on the circumstances^[[Legal Interpretations](https://www.flyingmag.com/legal-interpretations/) by [[IFR Magazine]]: "In a 1993 case, George Murphy was tired of waiting for his IFR release from a nontowered airport, so he took off uncontrolled [[IFR]] into low ceilings with passengers, figuring he would reach [[VMC]] before entering controlled airspace at 700 AGL. The violation for operating without a clearance was dismissed, but that did not stop the [[NTSB]] from giving him a 90-day flight vacation for careless and reckless operation."] 2. How to obtain clearance 1. Clearance Delivery/GND at Towered Airport 2. FSS 3. Approach/Departure Radio OR Phone 3. [[CRAFT]] mnemonic^[[[ATC]] uses [[A Cold Squirrel Ran Around My Home And Froze]]] 1. Clearance limit 2. Route 3. Altitude 4. Frequency 5. Transponder code 4. Tips on writing clearances 1. Clearance shorthand ([[IFH]] Appendix A) 5. “At Pilots Discretion” ([[AIM 4]]-4-10) 6. [[VFR-On-Top]] ([[AIM 4]]-4-8) 7. As Filed 8. Departure Restrictions ([[AIM 5]]-2-7) 1. Clearance void time 2. Advise ASAP if missed clearance void time (ATC assigned limit, but no more than 30 min after clearance void)^[After limit, [[SAR]] begins] 3. Hold for release 4. Release Time 5. [[EDCT]] (depart no earlier than 5 min before and no later than 5 min after) 6. Include runway in clearance request 7. Good to mention use of [[ODP]] if unclear 9. What if I don’t like the clearance? ([[AIM 4]]-4-4) 10. Deviation - Emergency or [[TCAS]] alert 5. ATC Approach Clearances ([[PTAC]]) 1. [[IFR Radio Communication Examples]] 2. [[Practice Approach Radio Communication Examples]] 6. Canceling IFR, visual approaches, and dealing with NA procedures (e.g. [[Palo Alto Airport|KPAO]] at night) > [!note] Lost Communications > [[Lost communications]] are covered in [[IRA3.3 Lost Communications]] ![[IFR Radio Comm Part 1 General.jpeg]] ### Completion Standards Learner must be able to plan a cross country flight, including routing, fuel planning, and filing an IFR flight plan, and receiving weather briefings (in person and online). They must also become proficient at typical IFR clearances and communications using standard phraseology. *Return to [[~ IRA Lesson Plan Outline|Table of Contents]]^*