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Discover the new IREX course
Fast-Track Your Flying Theory
Your next chapter
in instrument theory.
Our new IREX course brings structured teaching, practical examples and focused exam preparation together in a new student portal. Understand the theory, practise applying it and build confidence for exam day.
Registrations for the previous IREX course are closed. All new enrolments are through our new IREX course. Current customers have been migrated to the new student portal.
182Teaching lessons
790Practice questions
46Lesson checks
6Timed final exams
Understand it. Apply it. Prepare with purpose.
Build your knowledge one topic at a time, then put it to work through chart interpretation, flight-planning decisions and exam practice.
01 / BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE
A clear path through IFR theory
Explore radio navigation, aviation weather, pilot and aircraft requirements, flight planning, departures, approaches and missed approaches through structured lessons and worked examples.
02 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Learn from every attempt
Check what you have just learnt with lesson checks, consolidate topics with section practice exams and use answer explanations to understand the reasoning behind your decisions.
03 / PREPARE FOR EXAM DAY
Build confidence under time pressure
Work through six timed final practice exams, each with 40 questions and 210 minutes. Practise managing your time, using your references and identifying topics to revisit.
Your study, all in one place.
Track your progress, pick up where you left off, bookmark important topics and keep personal study notes. Organise your revision with the study planner and ask for help through Chats in your student portal.
Already an Aussie Pilot Exams IREX customer?
Current IREX customers have been migrated to the new course. Sign in with your existing Aussie Pilot Exams account and open IREX under My courses in the new student portal. You do not need to purchase again.
Existing customers can also continue accessing the previous course while their original access remains active. Use the lessons below or your previous course dashboard. If you need help locating your access, contact us before purchasing again.
Previous IREX course
The course outline and lessons below belong to the previous version and remain here for existing customers. Registrations for this version are closed. To study the new course, use the links above.
Getting Started
IREX Instrument Rating Exam Introduction
Part 1: Radio Navigation Aids
Part 1 Radio Navigation Aids Overview
Radio Wave Propagation
NDB (Non Directional Beacon)
1.2 NDB (Non Directional Beacon)
NDB Definitions
NDB Facts
ADF Antenna
ADF Receiver
ADF Cockpit Displays
Jeppefen’s NDB Frequency and Range
ERSA NDB Frequency and Range
NDB Errors and Limitations
Errors Mountain Effect
Errors Co-Channel Interference
Errors Coastal Reflection
Errors Quadrantal
Errors Terrain Effect
Errors Thunderstorm Effect
Errors Night Effect
NDB Questions
Integrity of NDB
NDB General Principle
NDB Orientation
NDB Definitions
NDB Orientation Examples
NDB The HAT Formula
Simple HAT Formula Questions
The HAT Trick Advanced
The HAT Trick Advanced Questions
En-route Navigation
En-route Navigation Intro
Navigation Definitions
Drift Tips
Drift Without TMG
Drift and Track Error Questions
NDB Intercepts The 4 Questions
NDB Intercepts HAT Trick
NDB Intercepts HAT Trick Example 2
Track Error A Example From CASA
VOR (The VHF Omni Range)
VOR Intro
VOR Principles
VOR Radials
VOR Features
VOR Where To Find The Information
VOR Identifications
VOR Errors and Limitations
Airborne Equipment Error
Vertical Polarisation Effect
Ground Station Error
Terrain Effect
Site Effect
Aggregate Error
Radio Navigation and the 1 in 60
Position Fixing NDBs and VOR with the DME
Angle and Distance Off-Track
Distance Off-Track HAT Trick
NDB/VOR En-Route Questions
NDB VOR Enroute Questions
Part 2: Weather
Part 2 Weather Overview
Clouds
Cloud Terms
Nimbus
Cirrus
Cumulus
Stratus
Cloud Heights
Stable Air
Environmental Lapse Rate
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms Overview
Updraughts and Downdraughts
Downdraught
Windshear
Dangers
What if you can’t avoid a thunderstorm
Microburst
Hail Storms
Jetstream (Not currently examined in IREX)
Jetstream
Jetstream Overview
Jetstream Turbulance
Jetstream Clear Air Turbulance
Air Masses and Fronts
Air Masses and Fronts
Cold Front
What to expect from a cold front
Volmet
Icing
Icing
Icing Requirements
Icing Risks
Types of Ice
Clear Ice
Rime Ice
Frost
Icing Conditions
ELR Environmental Lapse Rate
Fog
Fog
Fog and the effect of wind
Radiation Fog
Advection Fog
Fog Visibility
Runway Visual Range
Runway Visual Range Example
Meteorological Questions
Meteorological Questions
Part 3: Requirements For IFR Flight
Requirements For IFR Flight Overview
The IFR Aircraft VH-OZY
The Instrument Flight Rules
IFR Requirements Overview
Flight Instruments
Flight Instruments 1
Flight Instruments 2
Flight Instruments 3
Flight Instruments 4
Flight Instruments 5
Flight Instruments 6 AWK NGT VMC FREIGHT CHTR
Flight Instruments 7
Flight Instruments 8
Flight Instruments 9
Flight Instruments 10 IFR CHTR
Lighting 1
Lighting 2
Lighting 3
Radio Communication & Navigation Requirements
Radio Communication & Navigation Requirements
Navigation Instruments
Instrument Serviceability
Instrument Serviceability Altimeter
Instrument Serviceability Altimeter 2
Instrument Serviceability Altimeter 3
Radar Equipment
Radar Equipment 2
IFR Requirement Questions
IFR Requirement Questions
RNAV (GNSS) – Global Navigation Satellite System
RNAV (GNSS) – Global Navigation Satellite System
GNSS How does it work
GNSS How does it work 2
GNSS Who makes it 1
GNSS Who makes it 2
GNSS Errors and limitations 1
GNSS Errors and limitations 2
GNSS Augmentation System
GNSS ABAS
GNSS RAIM 1
GNSS RAIM 2
GNSS SBAS
GNSS GBAS
GNSS Questions
This section does not have any lessons.
Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
What is PBN?
RNAV and RNP
PBN Specifications
RNP Requirements Applicable To IFR Flight
PBN Leg Transitions
PBN Navigation Errors
Requirements For IFR Flight
IFR Pilot
Duration Of The Rating
Renewal Of The Rating
Privileges And Requirements For Grant Of Instrument Ratings
Limitations On Exercise Of Privileges Of Instrument Ratings — General
IFR Pilot Endorsement
The Use Of GPS
Recency Requirements
Single Pilot Recency Requirements
Approach Recent Requirements
Approach Recent Requirements For RNAV
Instrument Rating In Further Detail
Questions On Recency Requirements
Questions On Recency Requirements
Part 4: IFR Flight Planning
IFR Flight Planning Overview
Preflight Considerations – Flight Notifications
Preflight Considerations – Forecast Requirements
Position Fixes
Limitations On Fixes
Lowest Safe Altitudes
Designated Routes
Grid LSALT
Manual LSALT (Splays)
LSALT: RNAV/GNSS (GPS) with NO RNP2 Authorisation
AIP References For LSALT
LSALT: Obstacles
Decent below LSALT
Visual Approach
Provision Of Alternate Aerodromes
Provision of Alternate Aerodromes
A is for Aids
Aids – Night VFR
Clouds, Visibility and Wind
Visibility and Cloud Elaborated
Prov and Prob
Alternate: Thunderstorms
L is for Lighting
A Simple Lighting Guide
A Lighting Alternate Problem
S is for Storms
Alternates Could Very Well Prove Life Savers
Holding Due To Weather
Holding Due To Weather
Holding Due To Weather AIP References
TAF3
TAF3 AIP References
TAF3
TAF3 Locations
TAF3 Validity
Special Perks For Arriving Within A TAF3 Period
TAF3 Important To Remember
Airspace Classifications
Airspace Classifications
Fuel Planning
Fuel Planning
VFR-ON-TOP
VFR-ON-TOP
VFR-Climb-and-Decent
VFR-Climb-and-Decent
Part 5: Departures
Part 5 Departures Overview
Departure From A Non-Towered Aerodrome
Departure From A Non-Towered Aerodrome – Taxi Call
Departure From A Non-Towered Aerodrome – Establish FPT
Departure Reporting
Departure CTA
SID (Standard Instrument Departure)
SID (Standard Instrument Departure)
SID Gradient Rate
SID DAPS (East or West)
SID Chart – Jepps
Visual Departure
Visual Departure
Departing Into IMC
Departing Into IMC
Departing Into IMC – Take-Off Minima
Departing Into IMC – Take-Off Minima – Example 1
Departing Into IMC – Take-Off Minima – Example 2
Planning To Return In IMC
Planning to return in IMC due to engine failure when departing an aerodrome without an instrument approach procedure
Example 1
En-Route Procedures
Step-Climbs in CTA
Position Reports
Position Reports Example
Changes Of Level
Track Keeping Tolerances
Part 6: Instrument Approaches
Part 6: Instrument Approaches Overview
What is an instrument approach?
The Circling Area
Aircraft Category Speed Limits
First Look At An Approach
Safe Steps Down – NDB or VOR (Including Reversal)
2D and 3D Approaches
Precision Approach & Non Precision Approach
MDA and DA
The Difference Between an ILS (3D) Approach or LOC (2D) Approach
LNAV (2D) VS VNAV (3D)
Reversal Procedure Compared To A Normal Procedure
Speed Restrictions Based On Approach Points
Decision Altitude Correction VS Temperature
Circling Approach Broken Down
Special Rules; Circling Approach – Day VS Night
DME OR GNSS ARRIVAL
Holding Patterns
Standard Holding Pattern (Right Turns)
Sector Entries
Sector 1 (Parallel Entry)
Sector 2 (Teardrop / Offset Entry)
Sector 3 (Direct Entry)
Avoiding A Sector Entry
Avoiding A Sector Entry Example
Procedure Turn
DME ARC Procedure
DME or GNSS Arrival Procedures
RNAV (GNSS) Approach
Navigation Modes
GNSS Approach Layout
Missed Approach Procedures
Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Localizer (LOC)
ILS Components
Localizer
Glide Slope
Locator Beacon
Marker Beacon
ILS Chart
PAPI and HIRL
Special DA Rules For An ILS/LOC = Changes In Visibility!
HIAL Requirements
Pressure Error Correction [PEC]
The Localizer [LOC] and LNAV GNSS Approach
ILS PRM – ILS Precision Runway Monitoring System
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!!
IREX Final Practice Exams
IREX Final Practice Exam 1
IREX Final Practice Exam 2
IREX Final Practice Exam 3
IREX Final Practice Exam 4