Instrument Rating Airplane - IRA Memory Aid

(Version 12)
* The following tips and shortcuts are for learning many, though NOT ALL, of the numerical answers for the test. These
sheets do not come close to covering all the questions that will be on your FAA exam, so study all of the Selected Questions in the
Flight Test software. You may want to look this study aid over a couple of times before you begin studying with the Flight Test
software so you know whats in it.
* There are tables in these handout that identify the correct answer by LOW, MID, or HIGH this means the correct answer
is the LOWEST of the 3 answer choices, the MIDDLE of the 3 answer choices, or the HIGHEST of the 3 choices it's often easier to
remember where the correct answer falls than to remember the correct answer itself.
* The small numbers in lighter print are the numbers of the questions that the memory tips refer to.

IRA INFO: DO NOT memorize the A, B, or C answer location only --- these are randomized on the exam. Sign up for the
IRA test code at the testing center. Throughout these sheets, words and/or answers are BOLDED to help recognition.

'Aerodynamics & Aircraft' Knowledge Category:

Magnetic compass turn questions:
Turning to the from a heading of the answer is:
Right East Correct Smooth (#1157)
Right West Correct Smooth (#1161)
Right South Right Faster (#1158)
Right North Left (#1162)
Left East Correct Smooth (#1236)
Left West Correct Smooth (#1163)
Left South Left Faster (#1160)
Left North Right (#1164)

'FARs' Knowledge Category:

Aircraft equipment code for Block 3: Always choose I if its an option; if not, choose A. (#1717-1725)

'IFR and Navigation' Knowledge Category:

Flight Plans:
GJT to DRO Hold over DRO LOW 1 + 33 (#1165)
GJT to DRO Fuel consumed at 15 GPH LOW 17 Gal (#1167)

Block 10 and CAS questions:

For 'Block 10' time questions: All answers are the HIGH number except: (#1166, 1169, 1174, 1178, 1186)
Figure 32: LOW (#1172)
Figures 44, 69: MID (#1176, 1184)

For CAS questions: All answers are the MID number except: (#1168, 1171, 1177, 1185)
Figures 38, 44, and 69 are all LOW. (#1173, 1175, 1183)

Figure 105 ADF questions:

Magnetic TO/
Aircraft Bearing FROM = ADF
1 060 TO = 2 (#1361)
2 255 TO = 4 (#1362)
3 120 TO = 5 (#1360)
4 135 TO = 1 (#1363)
5 210 FROM = 4 (#1359)
5 240 TO = 2 (#1366)
6 255 FROM = 4 (#1364)
7 120 FROM = 5 (#1358)
8 090 FROM = 6 (#1365)
8 315 TO = 1 (#1367)
Primary and Supporting Instrument questions:

Question asks for: Pitch alone Bank alone Power alone

Primary and Supporting N/A See Supporting Instruments N/A
Instruments in same only below
question: (#1297)

Supporting Instrument(s) Attitude & VSI Attitude Ind. & Turn Coordinator N/A
only: (#1278, 1282, 1340)

Primary instruments for: Pitch, Bank, and Power in same question

(#1268, 1279, 1280) If "Altimeter, Heading, and Manifold Pressure or Tach" is a choice, choose it; otherwise,
choose "Attitude indicator, Heading, and Manifold Pressure or Tach".

Primary instruments for: Pitch Alone Bank Alone Power Alone

(#1270, 1281, 1292) (#1238, 1269, 1291, 1293, 1295, 1338) (#1341)

Always choose Altimeter unless
it's not an option, then choose
Airspeed indicator.
1) Straight & Level Flight = Airspeed Indicator
Heading Ind. or Mag Compass
2) Establishing/Transitioning to
a standard rate turn = Attitude
Ind.
3) In a standard rate turn =
Turn Coordinator/Turn & Slip

Holding Questions:

Fig 112: 090 = 1; Direct Entry (#1744)

Fig 113: 090 = Parallel Only (#1745) T
180 = Direct Only (#1746) - or - D 113 P
360 = Teardrop Only (#1747) D
270 = Direct Only (#1748)

Fig 114: 270 = Direct Only (#1749) D

360 = Direct Only (#1750) - or - D 114
180 = Teardrop Only (#1751) T

Fig 115: 090 = 1; Direct (#1753)

Fig 116: 268 = 2; Direct Entry (#1754)
Fig 117: 140 = Parallel Only (#1756)
040 = Teardrop Only (#1757)
230 = Direct Only (#1758)

'Weight and Balance / Performance' Knowledge Category:

Rate of Climb: (all answers are the HIGH rate in FT/MIN except the last one which is LOW rate in FT/NM)
120 knots HIGH 870 (#1170)
140 knots HIGH 816 (#1920)
90 knots MID 578 (#1923)
140 knots HIGH 970 (#1926)
140 knots HIGH 490 (#1927)
Fig 85 FT/NM LOW 400 (#1931)
150 knots HIGH 1200 (#1932)
Rate of Descent questions:

Fig 29, 90 kts MID 480 (#1940)

ILS RWY 36L HIGH 637 (#1944)
HUDUT HIGH 740 (#1950)
6 DME Fix LOW 350 (#1952)
ILS RWY 6 MID 478 (#1964)
Fig 129 MID 524 (#2045)
Fig 29, 105 kts HIGH 557 (#2457)
ILS RWY 9 MID 398 (#2481)
COVDU MID 600 (#2492)
Fig 246 HIGH 510 (#2508)