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IRA · 13% of the exam

Instrument Approach Procedures practice questions

10 free Instrument Approach Procedures questions for the Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) Knowledge Test exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questionsFree 10-question IRA quiz

What this domain covers

Instrument approach procedures: charts, minimums and flying the approach.

Exam weight
13%
On a real exam
≈ 8 questions
In our bank
78 questions

Topics that come up most

  • Reading approach charts
  • Precision and non-precision approaches
  • Minimums and visibility
  • Missed approach procedures
  • Circling and visual approaches

How to study it

Read several full approach plates top to bottom; questions pull details from every section of the chart.

Sample Instrument Approach Procedures questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

  1. Question 1

    If visual reference is lost while circling to land, the pilot should:

    • AClimbing turn to runway
    • BDescend to find it
    • CKeep circling at MDA
    • DTurn away and descend
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Climbing turn to runway

    • ACorrect. Make an initial climbing turn toward the landing runway, then fly the missed approach.
    • BIncorrect. This is dangerous.
    • CIncorrect. Fly the missed approach.
    • DIncorrect. This risks obstacles.

  2. Question 2

    How can a DME arc be used on an approach?

    • AAs the final approach segment only, flown down to the MDA
    • BAs the missed approach point
    • CAs an initial approach segment to the final course
    • DAs a holding pattern
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) As an initial approach segment to the final course

    • AIncorrect. Arcs usually lead to final.
    • BIncorrect. The MAP is a fix or time.
    • CCorrect. Many procedures start with an arc.
    • DIncorrect. Arcs aren't holds.

  3. Question 3

    On an RNAV approach, what does "LNAV+V" provide?

    • AApproved vertical guidance to a decision altitude
    • BAdvisory vertical guidance with LNAV minimums
    • CLocalizer guidance from a ground antenna
    • DA precision approach to Category II minimums
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Advisory vertical guidance with LNAV minimums

    • AIncorrect. That is LNAV/VNAV or LPV.
    • BCorrect. The pilot still uses the MDA.
    • CIncorrect. LNAV+V is GPS based.
    • DIncorrect. It isn't a precision approach.

  4. Question 4

    What do letters like "Y" and "Z" in an approach title mean?

    • AThey show the approach's category
    • BThey identify circling-only approaches
    • CSeveral approaches of the same type serve that runway
    • DThey mark approaches that are for military aircraft only, not civil
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Several approaches of the same type serve that runway

    • AIncorrect. Categories are A through D.
    • BIncorrect. Circling-only approaches use letters like A or B.
    • CCorrect. Each has different requirements.
    • DIncorrect. They are civil procedures.

  5. Question 5

    Which of these is a visual reference that allows descent below MDA?

    • AThe airport beacon
    • BA nearby highway
    • CThe REILs
    • DA water tower
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) The REILs

    • AIncorrect. This is not on the list.
    • BIncorrect. This is not a runway reference.
    • CCorrect. REILs are one of the listed references in 14 CFR 91.175.
    • DIncorrect. This is not a runway reference.

  6. Question 6

    What does an LP (localizer performance) approach provide?

    • APrecision approach radar instructions from ATC
    • BLateral and vertical guidance to a decision altitude
    • CGuidance from a ground localizer antenna
    • DLateral guidance only, using WAAS
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Lateral guidance only, using WAAS

    • AIncorrect. That is a PAR approach.
    • BIncorrect. That describes LPV.
    • CIncorrect. LP uses WAAS GPS.
    • DCorrect. It has no approved vertical guidance.

  7. Question 7

    On a nonprecision approach, the profile view shows a stepdown fix between the final approach fix and the missed approach point. Its minimum altitude is higher than the MDA. How should the pilot fly this segment?

    • ADescend from the final approach fix directly to the MDA, since stepdown altitudes are advisory only
    • BRemain at or above the stepdown fix altitude until passing the fix, then continue the descent toward the MDA
    • CLevel off at the stepdown fix altitude and hold it until reaching the missed approach point
    • DCross the stepdown fix at the MDA so the aircraft is stabilized early for the visual segment
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Remain at or above the stepdown fix altitude until passing the fix, then continue the descent toward the MDA

    A stepdown fix altitude is a mandatory minimum. Stay at or above it until passing the fix, then descend toward the MDA.

    • AIncorrect. Stepdown fix altitudes are mandatory restrictions that protect against obstacles. They are not advisory, and an immediate descent to the MDA is not allowed.
    • BCorrect. The aircraft must cross the stepdown fix at or above its published altitude. Further descent toward the MDA is allowed only after passing the fix.
    • CIncorrect. After passing the stepdown fix, the pilot may descend to the MDA. Staying at the stepdown altitude all the way to the MAP gives up the lower minimums the procedure allows.
    • DIncorrect. Here the MDA is below the stepdown fix altitude. Crossing the fix at the MDA would break the stepdown restriction and reduce obstacle clearance.

  8. Question 8

    Which statement about a contact approach is true?

    • AIs flown under VFR
    • BIs assigned by ATC
    • CNeeds 3 SM visibility
    • DNeeds a pilot request
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Needs a pilot request

    • AIncorrect. It is an IFR procedure.
    • BIncorrect. ATC cannot initiate it.
    • CIncorrect. 1 SM is required.
    • DCorrect. It needs 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds, and pilot request.

  9. Question 9

    What does a nonprecision NDB approach provide?

    • ALateral and vertical guidance to a DA
    • BLateral guidance only, with an MDA
    • COnly vertical guidance with no course
    • DGPS-based guidance with WAAS
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Lateral guidance only, with an MDA

    • AIncorrect. That describes ILS or LPV.
    • BCorrect. It has no electronic glide path.
    • CIncorrect. NDB approaches give lateral guidance.
    • DIncorrect. NDB approaches use the ADF.

  10. Question 10

    What is the purpose of a visual glideslope indicator on a nonprecision approach?

    • AIt replaces the MDA
    • BIt provides electronic vertical guidance in IMC
    • CIt gives a visual descent path in the visual segment
    • DIt shows the missed approach point
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) It gives a visual descent path in the visual segment

    • AIncorrect. The MDA still applies.
    • BIncorrect. It's a visual aid.
    • CCorrect. Follow it when the runway is in sight.
    • DIncorrect. The MAP is defined by the procedure.

Instrument Approach Procedures: FAQs

How much of the IRA exam is Instrument Approach Procedures?

Instrument Approach Procedures is 13% of the IRA exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 60-question form works out to roughly 8 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Instrument Approach Procedures domain cover?

Instrument approach procedures: charts, minimums and flying the approach.

How should I study Instrument Approach Procedures for IRA?

Read several full approach plates top to bottom; questions pull details from every section of the chart.

Where can I practise more Instrument Approach Procedures questions?

This page has 10 free Instrument Approach Procedures questions with answers. The ExamWize IRA question bank has 78 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Other IRA topics

Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the IRA cheat sheet and the study guide.

Get Instrument Approach Procedures exam-ready

The full IRA bank has 78 Instrument Approach Procedures questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

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Not affiliated with FAA; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.