How to use this note Edited 2025.11.16
IREX exam is about 2 things:
IFR Procedures & Charts —— more practical part, as you learned in the handbook
IFR Law —— more theoretical, about requirements
This note is only to assist you in learning the IFR law part.
As you find and understand the rules, the next thing you need to do is just practice the questions. But unfortunately the IREX textbook talked too much into it.
This note is to help you save the time needed to collect all the references on the law & AIP etc., mainly provides you with the references you need for the IREX theory exam. You need to find, highlight and understand the subsequent sections by yourself. After that, just do the practice questions, and go back to the law, AIP!
Other theoretical things you need to remember: Radio Nav Aids related errors: e.g. VOR: AVGAS, NDB: MINCAT etc. GNSS Related knowledge: e.g. RAIM, AIAC etc.
That’s all about the IREX exam.
IFR ACFT
Flight Instrument
91 MOS Ch26
VFR: IAS, P.H., MH, time.
AWK: turn&slip, OAT
NVFR: VSI, stabilized heading, minitor PWR source to gyro
IFR: alternate static, pitot heat
GNSS
135 MOS Ch 11.07
Dual ALT & AH
Navigation Instrument
91 MOS Ch14 14.02 / ENR 1.1 4.5
Navigate by:
Area Nav(GNSS)
GND Aid: +-9° of next aid rated range, pos fix max 2h
Day VMC VFR pos fix 30min
135 MOS ch11 11.09
NVFR: 1 nav aid
IFR: 2 GNSS(no C129) or 1 GNSS+ ADF/VOR
Failure of any aid still able to fly according to FPL at any phase
Radio Communication
Communication Requirements
About:XPDR, VHFetc.
Lost of radio communication(ERSA EMRG)
When under IMC:
squawk 7600, transmission blind, follow latest/expected clearance as flight plan
remember the mnemonic: 1 hold 2 vector 3 limit, and disco, phone others
(if you are doing a hold, do 1 another hold. if you’re being vectored by ATC, maintain 2 min before continue as FPL/expected. If you have a clearance limit, hold 3 min at the limit point, then continue as FPL/expected. Watch out to the airdrome beacon for signal. Try use mobile phone to call others)
Automatic Pilot
135 MOS Ch11 11.10
Single pilot: NVFR, IFR
Mode: ALT, HDG
AP inop: Day VMC
Alerting and warning System
91 MOS Ch26 26.25
Altimeter serviceability checks
91 MOS ch10 10.4
IFR: +- 60 ft
inop +-75 ft
60-75 ft: to first AD check again, still not WI 60 inop
IFR Pilot
Please find the following sections and read carefully
61.885
61.860
61.865
61.870
61.880
61.890
61.910
IFR FPL & ENR
Pre Flight consideration
Flight Notification
ENR 1.10
Forecast
ENR 1.10
LSALT
GEN 3.3 4.1 to 4.7
91.305 Minimum heights
Positive Radio Fix
ENR 1.1 4.5
Alternate & Hold
Factors to be considered for alternate nomination of airdrome - remember the mnemonic:
Alternate Could Very Well Proved Life Savers + Hold
(Aids, Cloud, Visibility, Wind, PROB, Lights, thunder Storm) + Holding
Aids
91 MOS Ch8 8.08 8.05
| Day IFR | Fly to AD without IAP/IAP that can’t use GAF LSALT for final route +500ft; 8km (It’s more strict than Day VFR, because Visual Approach Need to descend from LSALT, that’s why it’s IFR procedure, not VFR) |
| Night IFR | Fly to AD without IAP/IAP that can’t use |
| Night VFR | If ground aids/GNSS can’t be used to nav enroute to it: Nominate alternate within 1 h. |
C129 can’t use for alternate
135 MOS Ch11 11.09
| Night VFR | Must have GNSS; or ADF/VOR | Barometric aiding must be connected if provided |
| IFR | 2 approved GNSS[not C129] / 1 approved GNSS and ADF/VOR [not C129 unless AC,GNSS installed before Feb 6, 2014] | |
| Failure of any aid | can nav remained flight plan Can meet ATC, Airspace requirement | |
| Possible to Land in IMC AD | Possible to Land in IMC AD: Nav to a point that can do Visual APP/IAP landing |
Clouds & VIS & Storm
ENR1.1 10.7.2.1
Except DAY VFR WI 50 nm, you need to look for
| Cloud | More than SCT below ALTN minimum |
| VIS | BLW ALTN minimum |
| TS or SEV TURB from TS | |
| Wind |
Note about buffers:
30 min buffer
TAF3 first 3 h no 30 min buffer, no PRO 30,40
TEMPO2201/2203, ETA 0320, only need 10 min (cessation)
Weather Changing: 30 min buffer
FM or BECMG: 30 min buffer
IFR: check approach plate, Cloud and VIS, ENR 1.5 6.1.1 (If no, by DAY LSALT+500ft, 8km ENR 1.1 10.7.2.10)
Performance CAT ENR 1.5 1.2.1
Check TAF
More about MDH: If shaded on IAP Actual QNH -100ft, Area forecast QNH +50 ft
QNH Sources ENR 1.5. 5.3
Special Alternate Weather Minima ENR 1.5 6.2.1 91 MOS ch8 8.08
2 ILS and 2VOR; 2 dist(either 2 DME/GNSS or DME& GNSS)
On IAP **
Unless No MET or ATS
Wind
Max crosswind component
PROB
ENR 1.1 10.7.2
LIGT
ENR 1.1 10.7.4
| Portable LIGT | Unless attendance |
| No SDBY PWR | Unless attendance |
| PAL and SDBY PWR | Unless attendance |
| PAL as Alternate | 2VHF or VHF&HF + 30min holding fuel |
Period 10.8.1.1
| DEP | 10min - 30min |
| ARR | 30min - Taxing finish |
Holding
ENR 1.1 10.7.2
INTER 30 min
TEMP 60 min
Not accumulative
No need after 30 min cessation of period
TAF3 first 3 hours
30 min buffer not Apply
PROB not apply
Fuel
Fuel policies are the same as we learned in performance(CFPA). This time you should know more about the IFR fuel requirement.
91 MOS ch19 19.02
IFR: final reserve fuel 45 min
135 MOS ch7 7.02
| Piston(exam OZY) | turbine | |
| Final Reserve | 45 min | 30 min |
| Contigency | 10% or 5 min(greatest) | 5% or 5 min(greatest) |
Exam only in minutes:
Trip fuel(x1.1 if contigency) + final reserve + holding/alternate
Airspace
91 MOS 21.05
ENR 1.1 2.9
ENR 1.1 2.8
ENR 1.4 to 4.2
Two basic types: CTA、OCTA
Controlled Airspace：CTA, CTR(Lower limit is SFC, for airdrome)
Class D: radar not available, procedural methods
IFR separated from IFR, SVFR; info. About VFR
VFR receive info. About all other traffic
Must give standard departure report: Time, TRK, Height
Class C: radar avail
IFR separated from IFR, SVFR, VFR
VFR separated from IFR, info about other VFR.
Airborne report to departure controller
Select Route
ERSA GEN-FPR
Both are big airports
Check for departures(e.g. can find Sydney to Melbourne)
ERSA GEN-FPR Flight Planning Option
For other airports
Check for recommended route (e.g. can find Port Macquarie to Sydney)
ERC & TAC
Check Airspaces
IFR IAP
Most important part. You should have reviewed your IFR handbook, knowing the IAP charts. More practices on this section.
ENR 1.5 1.14 Visual Approach
ENR 1.5 para 1.6.6 Circling Area
ENR 1.5 1.2.1
ENR 1.5 1.6.6
ENR 1.5 2.4.4
ENR 1.5 2.8
ENR 1.5 4.4
ENR 1.6.6
ENR 1.7
etc.