135.297 Instrument Check

[mike1mc]

I got involved in a discussion this afternoon about the 135.297 Instrument Proficiency Check. We all agree that the 297 is due every 6 months. Does the six months start from a base month like the 293/299 checks, or is it 6 months from the date of the last check? What if you are current in two aircraft? How does the instrument check due date get calculated?

Just looking for another opinion. This should make for some interesting discussion.

 

[ultrarunner]

The .297 check can be done one month prior to base month, in base month or in month immediately after base month (the later would be the 'grace' period). In any of these cases, the base month does not change.

If you exceed the grace period, you need to go through re-qualification training, as outlined in your company's Training Manual. In that case you would then have a new base month.

If you're a PIC in two types, you need a .297 in each type. Same rules apply. Most operators will have you going to school each 6 months on alternating types, so to take care of the .297 rides each 6 months, using the grace periods as necessary to take into account scheduling issues.

There is no ambiguity.

 

[guido411]

If you're a PIC in two types, you need a .297 in each type. Same rules apply. Most operators will have you going to school each 6 months on alternating types, so to take care of the .297 rides each 6 months, using the grace periods as necessary to take into account scheduling issues.

Just to clarify for the one asking the question, the .297 ride doesn NOT have to be completed every six months for every type. This sentence seemed to imply that to me but I am slow sometimes. The .297 ride is done ONCE every six months no matter how many types are being flown. So an operator that has a King Air and a Citation will take the .297 in January for the King Air then in July do another .297 in the Citation. They will not have to fly both airplanes at each checkride.

Sorry, I am sure this is what ultrarunner meant but I got bound up on the explaination so I thought others might.

As for the FAA and their months. They never care what DAY in the month things occur, they don't count too well. So they only care about what month something happens. Medicals, Annuals, Checkrides etc.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep, that's what I meant, just didn't word it properly. Sorry if I let the original poster down the wrong path. I'm sure they are up to speed now.

 

[kilroy]

If you fly 2 different airplanes but both are multi's your 297 covers both. For instance I just done my 297/299/293 in a 402 and it covers me in the jet also.

The .297 check can be done one month prior to base month, in base month or in month immediately after base month (the later would be the 'grace' period). In any of these cases, the base month does not change.

If you exceed the grace period, you need to go through re-qualification training, as outlined in your company's Training Manual. In that case you would then have a new base month.

If you're a PIC in two types, you need a .297 in each type. Same rules apply. Most operators will have you going to school each 6 months on alternating types, so to take care of the .297 rides each 6 months, using the grace periods as necessary to take into account scheduling issues.

There is no ambiguity.