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Instrument IQ Quiz July/August 2012

Test your instrument flight rules (IFR) proficiency and sharpen your piloting skills with this exclusive Canadian Skies feature! Examine the following approach plate and take your best shot at the accompanying questions.

Instrument IQ July/August 2012 Approach plate
Click to view larger image.

Kelowna (CYLW) Five SID Departure

1) Which frequency would one use to communicate with Vancouver Centre during this departure procedure?
View answer

Vancouver Centre 133.5

2) From which Kelowna runway would a pilot encounter the possibility of higher terrain immediately after takeoff? Why?
View answer

Off Runway 34, the pilot would experience higher terrain after takeoff. This is shown by the higher climb gradient requirement off Runway 34 versus Runway 16.

3) When departing from Runway 16, could the pilot level off at 5,000 feet ASL (above sea level), after completing 390 feet/nautical mile climb gradient
View answer

No, the pilot could NOT level off at 5,000 feet ASL on this departure. When the climb gradient is not noted, it will always default back to the standard climb gradient of 200 feet/nautical mile.

4) If a pilot is operating on an "amended SID clearance" [amended standard instrument departure], in which the pilot is now cleared to 10,000 feet instead of 9,000 feet ASL, what happens to the balance of the SID clearance?
View answer

When operating on an amended SID, only the portion of the SID that has been amended changes. The balance of the SID procedure will still remain in effect.

5) What is the minimum visibility and ceiling height required to operate on this SID procedure?
View answer

Necessary visibility is ½ SM (statute mile), and there is no ceiling height requirement for this departure.

6) If you were unable to meet the climb gradient requirements on this SID what would you do?
View answer

If you were unable to meet the climb gradient requirements on this published SID, you would have to look at completing the Kelowna Departure Procedure, which is a SPEC VIS (specified takeoff minimum visibility) procedure. The Kelowna Departure Procedure (SPEC VIS) description would be found on a separate page in the approach plate book.

7) If operating off Runway 16 at Kelowna, at a climb speed of 90 knots ground speed, what is the minimum required rate of climb to ensure obstacle clearance?
View answer

590 feet per minute.

8) On which frequency would one expect to receive their IFR departure clearance at the Kelowna Airport?
View answer

Kelowna Ground on frequency 121.7.

9) What is the significance of the black and white symbol within the communication box in the top left corner of the plate?
View answer

The black and white symbol denotes limited hours of operation. The ***Canada Flight Supplement (CFS)*** must be referenced for specific hours of operation.

10) Is this SID an example of a "vectored SID" or a "pilot nav SID?"
View answer

Vectored SID as per the top left corner of the chart.

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Michael Power is an IFR pilot examiner, and works with Professional Flight Centre in Delta, B.C., as the manager of IFR operations. He also works as a pilot for a regional carrier and currently flies the Canadair CRJ. Michael can be reached via email at mike@profir.com.




Looking for another challenge? Try one of our previous Instrument IQ quizzes:
 
 

Did you know?

The first dawn-to-dusk trans-Canada flight was completed by J.H. Tudhop and J.D. Hunter in July 1937. The journey, between Montreal and Vancouver, took the pair 17 hours and 35 minutes.
www.canadiangeographic.ca