IFR currency

[John2375]

If I am in need of regaining my IFR currency, I can do all that on a simulator, right??
OK now assume that I've completed that; I know i need to do 6 approaches w/in the previous 6 months, SO...if most of my flying is solo, but I ask for a couple of approaches each month, does that keep me current?
These approaches might not necessarily be in IMC; if it' s a clear blue day and I get an ILS approach and I do it, does that count or would I have to be under the hood w/a safetly pilot OR it'd have to be a IMC day for it to count??

John

 

[cforst513]

if you do it in the sim, you need to be with an instructor.

to count them for currency, you need to do them down to mins in actual or in simulated IMC, with at least a private pilot acting as safety pilot, and that safety pilot needs to be able to fly the same category and class of aircraft. don't forget about holds and intercepting and tracking, too. not just approaches.

 

[John2375]

if you do it in the sim, you need to be with an instructor.

to count them for currency, you need to do them down to mins in actual or in simulated IMC, with at least a private pilot acting as safety pilot, and that safety pilot needs to be able to fly the same category and class of aircraft. don't forget about holds and intercepting and tracking, too. not just approaches.

OK so if I've been flying in mostly VFR conditions and am not current, I can jump into the sim (w/an instructor) and do what I need to do so I can fly IFR legally again. I just don't get much actual time but like to file IFR no matter what and want to be legally able to do so and get into wherever I'm going....
Thanks
:beer: John

 

[cforst513]

i'm pretty sure i'm right. just log the approaches, hold, and intercepting/tracking with an instructor and you should be good to fly IFR legally. check the FAR's. i don't have one in front of me, or i'd do it for you.

 

[MOCHA HAGoTDI]

to count them for currency, you need to do them down to mins in actual or in simulated IMC

Is there anything published that these approaches (whether under simulated or actual IMC) need to be flown down to minimums in order to count towards currency?

It never dawned on me that I could "officially" have currency issues- even if I do six (or more) approaches - with each resulting in picking up the field above mins.

What if the field is below basic VFR minimums and an Instrument approach is required, even if I break out at 800AGL?

 

[cforst513]

it's a gray area, i know that much. i read on here earlier that the majority of pilots fly their SIMULATED approaches to mins just to be safe. as for being in actual, i think just the fact that you are IN actual IMC counts towards currency. i think i misspoke earlier. if you are in the soup and break out 300 feet above your DH or MDA, you should be OK. i'm searching for the FAR's online.

 

[cforst513]

§ 61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command.



c) Instrument experience. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, unless within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has:
(1) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in an aircraft (other than a glider), performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions, either in flight in the appropriate category of aircraft for the instrument privileges sought or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category for the instrument privileges sought—
(i) At least six instrument approaches;
(ii) Holding procedures; and
(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems.
(2) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in a glider, performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions—
(i) At least 3 hours of instrument time in flight, of which 1 1/2 hours may be acquired in an airplane or a glider if no passengers are to be carried; or
(ii) 3 hours of instrument time in flight in a glider if a passenger is to be carried.
(d) Instrument proficiency check. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who does not meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) of this section within the prescribed time, or within 6 calendar months after the prescribed time, may not serve as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR until that person passes an instrument proficiency check consisting of a representative number of tasks required by the instrument rating practical test.
(1) The instrument proficiency check must be—
(i) In an aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category;
(ii) For other than a glider, in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category; or
(iii) For a glider, in a single-engine airplane or a glider.
(2) The instrument proficiency check must be given by—
(i) An examiner;
(ii) A person authorized by the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct instrument flight tests, provided the person being tested is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces;
(iii) A company check pilot who is authorized to conduct instrument flight tests under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter or subpart K of part 91 of this chapter, and provided that both the check pilot and the pilot being tested are employees of that operator or fractional ownership program manager, as applicable;
(iv) An authorized instructor; or
(v) A person approved by the Administrator to conduct instrument practical tests.

 

[cforst513]

it doesn't say "down to mins" for the simulated, but why not? that's what would happen if you were in actual, so i'd practice it and record it this way.

 

[cforst513]

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14tab_02.tpl

link to the FARs. you should be able to navigate yourself accordingly here.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Is there anything published that these approaches (whether under simulated or actual IMC) need to be flown down to minimums in order to count towards currency?

If you can stand it, I have a history, with references, to this sometimes controversial question in my FAQ:

How Much Actual Is Required to Log an Instrument Approach?
http://www.midlifeflight.com/faq/faq.php?s=2#4