Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your IFR Certification!

When cleared to execute a sidestep maneuver, the pilot should begin the maneuver as soon as the runway is in sight. This is critical because the sidestep maneuver involves transitioning from an approach to one runway to land on an adjacent runway, typically when they are within a certain distance of each other. The pilot must maintain visual awareness and ensure that they can clearly see the intended runway before beginning the maneuver.

Conducting the sidestep maneuver should be done while adhering to visual flight rules even within IFR conditions, ensuring that safety and situational awareness remain top priorities. Transitioning based on visual confirmation of the runway ensures that the pilot has adequate depth perception and awareness of surrounding obstacles and air traffic, which is essential for a successful landing.

The other answer options do not align with the operational intent of sidestep maneuvers. For example, beginning the maneuver at the minimum altitude for a circling approach or at a specified distance from the runway could lead to unpleasant situations if the pilot does not have the runway in sight, impacting their ability to maneuver safely. Similarly, initiating the process at the localizer MDA minimum altitude without visual confirmation could also jeopardize safety.