IFR training

[trol1374]

I started my IFR training and am curious as to practicing approaches..ect.. My instructor said I can use an IFR rated safety pilot instead of him while building up the hours outside of the dual 15. I know you can also use someone with a PPL. My question(s) are: If I want to fly into controlled airspace to practice their approaches would I have to be under an IFR flight plan (w/IFR pilot), or would they allow it to be under the hood with a non IFR safety pilot and in both cases being in VFR conditions.

My problem is finding an IFR pilot that could go up with me when I wanted/or able to go flying. I do have several friends that are non IFR pilots that I would trust as safety pilots that would be easy to hook up with.

Thanks in advance

 

[pilotpat]

Well Trol, a couple things for you...1st controlled airspace doesn't care if you're instrument rated or not - there's nothing special to flying in it. 2nd, to do practice approaches, you do not need to be on an IFR flight plan - HOWEVER, I would not recommend attempting to fly approaches without first flying them with your instructor or another instrument rated pilot who is not only current but competent. The last thing you need is 2 heads trying to figure out where you are on an approach...."Oh, darn! That was the FAF!!" If you want to fly under the hood with non-IFR PPL's, that's absolutely fine, as long as you and they have an understanding that their sole job is to look outside for you - not attempt to give you instruction! And again, when you do (hopefully) find that competent IFR pilot to go out with you - simply do your preflight (try to go on a good VFR day), and when you're outside the Class D or C and contact them, simply say you'd like to shoot a couple practice approaches with vectors to a low approach. Basically, take it to the MAP and do the missed. Hope this helps and good luck!!

 

[trol1374]

yup, that helps thanks. I wouldn't go blind into controlled space to practice without first doing it with my instructor. I'm in the same mind set as with training for the private, first you do the flight with the instructor, then you go practice the same flight solo.

 

[pilotpat]

Also, if you just happen to be in the pattern practicing touch 'n go's and you have the ILS tuned up..........you can at least practice flying the needles - just don't keep you head down too much!!

 

[Steve]

Also, if you just happen to be in the pattern practicing touch 'n go's and you have the ILS tuned up..........you can at least practice flying the needles - just don't keep you head down too much!!

This post brings up another question. If I fly to an airport >50 miles away to do approaches and never land is it considered XC toward the IFR rating or do we have to land at least one?

 

[pilotpat]

Steve, if I'm not mistaken, if you fly to an airport >50 miles away, shoot the approach to a low approach/missed, it is still considered a XC. However, I'd ask a CFI as I haven't instructed in over 3 years and reg's change. I can tell you when I was training for 135 charter stuff a few years back, we shot some approaches in the 310 and even though we didn't land, we still had to count it since we did the approach. I don't know if that's a charter thing or not. You may also call your local examiner or someone from the FSDO for clarification.

 

[nosehair]

If I fly to an airport >50 miles away to do approaches and never land is it considered XC?

No. You must land if it is to meet the x/c requirements of any pilot certificate or rating, except ATP. x/c requirements for the ATP can be met by flying beyond 50nm and return witout landing, but all the other x/c requirements specifically say "...includes a landing at a point more than 50 nm from point of departure."
FAR 61.1(3)
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[pilotpat]

There you go...someone who actually pulled the FAR's - unlike me. I remember now why I was able to count those approaches!

 

[midlifeflyer]

deleted

 

[cforst513]

man, i talked to a pilot that does not have their IFR rating and has only taken a few lessons, yet flew IFR and got some actual. that takes balls. what happens if that person had to shoot an aproach to mins at such an early point in their IFR training? not smart.