Instrument questions

[lancair1]

I've been unable to find good explanations of these. Answers or references of where I can look are appreciated.

1. Outside FAF on precision aproach and both visibility and ceilings are reported below minimums? As I understand it, you can continue. Am I correct?

2. Now same circumstance on a non-precision approach?

3. Non-precision and ceiling is below but vis is sufficient?

4. Now, how do these circumstances change if reported after passing the FAF?

5. Does it change anything if will need to circle to land?

On a different subject.
If it has been 7 months since you've completed 6 approaches, am I correct that your next flight if under the hood with an instructor sitting safety pilot you may still log the time (to get current) as PIC if you hold the appropriate catagory and class ratings for the a/c being flown?

Thank you

 

[maverick_fp00]

under part 91 you can try as many times as you like even if it's 0/0.

yes

 

[avbug]

Lancair,

You didn't specify the regulations under which you are operating. If you are flying wild and free under Part 91, then you may initiate the approach and fly to published minimums at any time, regardless of weather conditions (legally, the wisdom in doing this is another matter).

This applies weather flying straight in, or circling. This applies regardless of weather the reported conditions are above or below published minimums, and regardless of weather this information is received before or after the FAF, glide slope intercept, or proceedure turn inbound.

Under Parts 121 or 135, the requirements are a little different. Under these parts, you may not begin the approach if the reported weather is below minimums for the proceedure, or as applicable through the respective operations specifications under which you operate. If you have already begun the final approach segment before the weather drops below minimums, you may continue.

Bear in mind that reported ceiling serves for flight planning purposes only. It is not binding. You are bound by visibility...can you see the runway environment at the appropriate time? That is all that matters. The actual ceiling value does not preclude flying the approach. It is reasonable to make the assumption that because the reported ceiling value is below the MDA or DA/H for the approach, one may not see the runway. However, this isn't necessarily true, and the deciding factor is the runway visibility (ground visibility or RVR), as reported by an official weather source.

For operations under part 91, it really makes no difference legally what that report is...you may still fly the approach if cleared to do so. Again, weather you should do so or not, is entirely another subject.

With respect to your question on currency; if you have exceeded your six month currency, you may get current with a safety pilot. You may log the time as pilot-in-command. You may act as pilot in command during that flight, if you desire, so long as the flight is not conducted in instrument conditions less than VFR, or under IFR. You may not act as pilot in command in conditions less than VFR, or under IFR until you have met the recency of instrument experience requirements outlined in 61.57. You must also remember that logging PIC, and acting as PIC, are not the same things.

In the case you described, if not acting as PIC, you may still log PIC while acting as sole manipulator of the controls under IFR or in instrument conditions less than VFR, while obtaining your recent instrument experience with a safety pilot. In this case, the safety pilot must be the acting PIC (and both of you may log PIC).

Goodl luck!

 

[lancair1]

Thanks!