Logging instrment approach question

[cougar6903]

Hypothetical situation here.

If I go up in a Cessna which is not IFR certified and perform a vor approach (full approach) at a non towered airport without ATC, can it be logged as a instrument approach for currency?

 

[SWA GUY]

Yep. I'd do it VMC however.

 

[minitour]

hmm..good question. I've got a follow up.

Same plane, you're up with a "safety pilot" (we'll say he's instrument rated - could be a CFII, might not be) who is providing "vectors" for you...

Still get to log it?

-mini

 

[SWA GUY]

Yessir, you can still log it.

 

[avbug]

Back to the original question, the poster did not stipulate what was meant by "not certified for IFR flight." If the poster means that the aircraft does not meet the equipment requirements, then no, the aircraft can't be used to maintain instrument currency. However, if the poster means that the aircraft is out of instrument currency, not having had it's 24 month pitot static checks, for example, but is otherwise equipped and IFR certified, then yes, it can be used for currency so long as it's not operated under IFR, or in conditions less than VFR.

In answer to the second question, if you're flying by reference to instruments you may log the time as instrument time. If you're sole manipulator you may log the time as PIC. Regardless of weather you or your safety pilot is acting PIC, you may still log PIC if you're rated in the airplane (category and class), and you're sole manipulator of the controls.

 

[Ralgha]

Excuse me if I'm missing something obvious, but I'm not seeing anything in the regs that says the airplane has to meet the IFR equipment requirement to be used for currency.

An example would be an airplane with everything but a clock. What is the rational that says flying an approach in that aircraft VFR with a hood and a safety pilot using a clock on your kneeboard doesn't count (aside from a reg or something I might be missing)?

 

[avbug]

If the aircraft needn't be equipped for instrument flight, why not do it in a super cub, or an ultralight, or a Cessna 150 with the basic instrumentation? Anything wrong with that?

 

[PropsForward]

You've got to have the basic instruments installed in the aircraft to shoot the approach.

 

[Ralgha]

If the aircraft needn't be equipped for instrument flight, why not do it in a super cub, or an ultralight, or a Cessna 150 with the basic instrumentation? Anything wrong with that?

Excluding the ultralight, which isn't the same category as the other two, no I don't see anything wrong with that as long as you've got the instrumentation necessary to fly the approach.

Obviously you can't do a VOR approach without a VOR receiver. However, is a clock really necessary to conduct an approach that doesn't have any time information under VFR for the purposes of currency? I would say no. Likewise, is a sticker in the airplane that says "approved for the following operations DAY-NIGHT-VFR-IFR" necessary? Again I would say no.

 

[minitour]

...Obviously you can't do a VOR approach without a VOR receiver....

yep...91.205 ...

I'd think as long as you had those items, you'd be okay...including theclock. I was under the impression that he meant the "inspections"(certification) weren't done...

-mini