We recently had a thought-provoking exchange of e-mails with Henry, a reader who asked a multipart question: What equipment does he need in his airplane for an instrument checkride? Afterward, what equipment does he reasonably need to fly it daily in the system?
What you really need
Key Takeaways:
- While the FAA Instrument Practical Test has minimal equipment requirements (e.g., GRABCARD, ability to fly specific approach types including precision and non-precision), all installed and functioning avionics are testable.
- Practical daily IFR flying demands significantly more robust equipment, including GPS, dual NAV/COMs, and often an autopilot, as these are becoming de facto standards for safety, convenience, and efficient ATC interaction.
- Henry's Beech Sundowner, equipped only with a non-precision IFR GPS/COM, is currently insufficient for both the instrument checkride (lacking VOR/LOC/glideslope receivers) and adequate for practical IFR flight.
- The article recommends upgrading Henry's aircraft with an integrated NAV/COM unit to provide the necessary VOR/LOC/glideslope capabilities for his checkride and significantly enhance the aircraft's suitability for practical IFR flying.
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