{"id":1333,"date":"2020-10-22T09:13:49","date_gmt":"2020-10-22T09:13:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/?page_id=1333"},"modified":"2026-11-02T12:22:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T12:22:13","slug":"aircraft-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/?page_id=1333","title":{"rendered":"Aircraft"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Our Aircraft<\/h2>

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You will require a suitable aircraft for your IR training. We have our own Piper Arrow II fitted with GI275 AI and HSI, Avidyne IFD440 navigator, and GFC500 autopilot together with King ADF and DME. Single needle tracking is taught using the GPS bearing pointer, with the ADF for comparison where relevant.<\/p>

There are several desirable aircraft characteristics that make IFR flight training easier:<\/p>

  1. A fairly large, non-turbocharged engine. This means the ability quickly to reach FL80, the level typically needed for airways entry. The reason for a non-turbocharged engine is better ability to sustain the mild abuse which is implicit in stalls and unusual attitude recoveries.<\/li>
  2. Retractable undercarriage and variable pitch propeller. Actually lowering the undercarriage to initiate final approach descent is in some ways easier than a power reduction and our standard power settings are designed to minimise RPM changes.<\/li>

  3. A low wing, two doors, a roomy cabin and a large fuel capacity make the aircraft comfortable and easy to operate in this advanced training role. Other configurations are perfectly acceptable.<\/p><\/li>

  4. Gear, flap and crosswind limits that are not restrictive in the intended role.<\/p><\/li>

  5. Suitable limited panel screening, typically as circular rubber covers with suction mounts.<\/p><\/li>

  6. Avionics: An HSI, either mechanical or glass, is pretty much essential. Obviously an IFR-approved GPS with a current database is required for flight in Class A airspace, and SBAS availability has major advantages over non-SBAS despite the current UK loss of LPV lines of minima. RNP-APCH and other RNP approvals should be stated in the flight manual or supplement. Good clear 8.33 kHz radio and intercom reception is essential. ILS is required, and having 2 Nav Comm radios makes good sense as back-up, though is not essential. UK Part-NCO 2025 does not allow RNAV substitution for DME unless the latter fails in flight, and given the procedures we fly DME is essential. Single needle tracking is required for flying the hold, and this is normally done using a GPS bearing pointer, with ADF as a secondary reference. An RMI presentation is much easier to use than an RBI. If an autopilot is fitted, it may be used for the airways en-route section in HDG and ALT modes. A fuel totaliser makes fuel planning much simpler. A second altimeter is essential for terrain clearance and for cross-checking. An engine monitor is helpful particularly for long climbs into controlled airspace, a USB charging point for the instructor\u2019s iPad will allow him or her to monitor progress and provide data for debriefing.<\/p><\/li>

  7. Plenty of stowage helps keep the aircraft tidy.<\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    Use Your Aircraft<\/h2><\/div>

    Obviously this has the benefit that you are familiar with its characteristics. It should fulfil a few requirements other than the standard ones required for operation.<\/p>

    1. It must be legal for IFR in UK airspace. Given the wide variety of routes that we\u00a0may use, this implies an IFR approved GPS with a current database, ILS, VOR,<\/li>
    2. \u00a0DME, 8.33kHz radio and Mode S transponder.<\/li>
    3. The flight manual and its supplements must be up to date, and all ADs and any IFR restrictions in the manual complied with.<\/li>
    4. It must be insured for flight training and the skill test.<\/li>
    5. The last maintenance must have been signed off by a licensed engineer (i.e. no pilot maintenance for the previous 50 hour check).<\/li>
    6. An RMI rather than a fixed card presentation for the ADF, though this is less relevant with the advent of RNAV substitution and GPS bearing pointers.<\/li>
    7. An autopilot which works in both altitude hold and heading modes.<\/li>
    8. High gear and flap limiting speeds.<\/li><\/ol>

      There is no longer any requirement to fit screens; a simple hood or foggles will suffice for both training and the skill test.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Our Aircraft You will require a suitable aircraft for your IR training. We have our own Piper Arrow II fitted with GI275 AI and HSI, Avidyne IFD440 navigator, and GFC500 autopilot together with King ADF and DME. Single needle tracking is taught using the GPS bearing pointer, with the ADF for comparison where relevant. There […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1333","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1333"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1333\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2309,"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1333\/revisions\/2309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rateoneaviation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}