IFR currency

[CutEmUp]

I was questioned the other day about my IFR currency by another instructor. He asked me if I had the 6 approaches and 6 hours IMC in the last six months. I did and told him so. I didn't want to sound condesending so I didn't question him, but do I need the 6 hours?

 

[minitour]

I didn't want to sound condesending so I didn't question him, but do I need the 6 hours?

I've never heard of that one...

6 Approaches
Intercepting/Tracking
Holds

-mini

 

[midlifeflyer]

I was questioned the other day about my IFR currency by another instructor. He asked me if I had the 6 approaches and 6 hours IMC in the last six months. I did and told him so. I didn't want to sound condesending so I didn't question him, but do I need the 6 hours?

No. The instructor needs to catch up on his reading. The rule used to be 6 hours and 6 approaches in 6 months but that was changed in 1997.

 

[MOCHA HAGoTDI]

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

Interesting stuff. I tend to side with the "You are the best judge of whether an approach has made you a more proficient instrument pilot.." position.

Realistically, it can be pretty tough for a lot of the GA pilots out there to encounter actual IFR-to-minimums six times in six months. There may even be long-haul airline guys that don't see that many approaches to minimums all that often.

 

[Rusty]

To log an instrument approach you need to be in actual conditions for at least .1 hours from the begining of the approach (IAF). Keep in mind the IAF when being vectored is the initial vector. I think a lot of the time people are to concerned about what is leagal to log. Be realistic, what is leagal is not always what is safe. There are lots of down south flyers with lots of approaches in there log books but when they come up north to fly IFR there comfort level is not there. Currency does not equal compentency.

 

[midlifeflyer]

To log an instrument approach you need to be in actual conditions for at least .1 hours from the beginning of the approach (IAF). Keep in mind the IAF when being vectored is the initial vector.

Rusty, can you give me the source of the ".1 after the IAF" or ".1 after beginning to receive vectors"? I thought I had read all the FAA-generated material on the subject, but I never heard of that one before.

I'd like to add it to my FAQ. It's a good one to continue the example of specific definitions not working. Take an airplane with a 120 KT approach speed that enters the clouds at upon intercepting the glideslope and then breaks out at minimums. Typical distance: 8 NM. Time in the clouds: 4 minutes. Not enough to log the approach under that definition.

 

[nosehair]

Keep in mind the IAF when being vectored is the initial vector.

...I never heard that one before, either. Read that somewhere?
​

 

[NYCPilot]

What constitutes an instrument approach...(have fun reading this)http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=61751