October 2021 Quiz: No Time For Coasting

IFR Staff

Monday, October 04, 2021 at 04:44 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot is on their first flight with new avionics, practicing instrument approaches in light IMC conditions.
During an ILS approach, the glideslope fails, prompting a hurried switch to a Localizer-only approach.
The pilot becomes confused about the correct descent rate for the new Localizer approach while already flying it.
Despite planning to miss the approach, the scenario highlights the risks of equipment issues, time pressure, and lack of immediate familiarity with backup procedures.

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You recently needed to take extended travel to destinations beyond the practical range of your trusty Cessna Cardinal RG. Your avionics shop just took in some useful trade-ins that are much better than your aging radios, so you left them your Cardinal for a modest upgrade. This is your first flight with the new stack. The day is forecast to be light-ish IMC and it’s a good day to hit some of your favorite SoCal coastal airports.

Your round-robin flight departs Van Nuys, CA (KVNY), with plans for approaches at San Luis Obispo (KSBP), Santa Barbara (KSBA), and Santa Maria (KSMX).