airtaxi101

If a pilot that is current completes 5 approaches, a hold and intercepts a radial for a navaid on Jan 1st, then waits until June 30th and performs one more approach. Did the pilot meet currency requirements for the next 6 months?

155mm

The key phrase "Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight". It's not like a medical where it is good for the next 6 calender months because it says "within". In other words, before you go fly an instrument flight, you have to ask yourself, did I do 6 instrument approaches a hold and intercept and track a course through electronic means within six months?

Xdashdriver

The currency requirement is a "look back" requirement. In other words, before you take off on your next flight, you need to look back 6 calendar months and see the 6 approaches, holding and tracking within that period. In your example, you would be current until the end of July, but when August 1st hit you would not "see" the 5 approaches in January because they are more than 6 calendar months away.

airtaxi101

Thanks for all the great answers and explanations!

MiLtoMajor123

So I'm just out of currency. I got my B-737 type rating back in Jan in an approved Simulator. Since that time I've rented a Cessna twice but unfortunately the other IFR rated Cessna was in the shop for an overhaul. So I've literally only flown about 3 hours since I separated from the Military.

So I guess my options to get IFR current again would be what? Rent an airplane with a CFII and do practice approaches under the hood?

Once I'm current (and still not having a flying job at the moment)...would I again have to hire a CFII if the weather was not bad enough to get actual?

Granted I should have figured this out awhile ago....but I never needed to worry too much about currency in the Military due to being a single seat guy. We would just practice approaches VFR or top off in our Simulator (pretty sure we were on a waiver to be able to log VFR approaches single seat....but it escapes me).

Back to the question at hand....what is the quickest/cheapest way to get IFR currency (not proficiency)? Seems to me after digging a little that anyway I cut it, to log VFR approaches under "simulated" conditions I would need at the very least an instrument current pilot or CFII to ride shotgun so I technically have to be "under the hood"? Our regs also stipulated that you could count 1/2 of your approaches/time in an approved sim if you didn't meet 6 approaches in 6 months. Is this also true. Seems to me I need to get back into the books and dust off these cobwebs in my brain. The idea of having to pay an instructor to get me instrument current hurts my cheap single seat brain. lol.

So, literally, I can not log approaches other than in actual IFR conditions as the sole occupant of an airplane (given if I was IFR current and legally could fly IFR)? Or to put it another way...practice approaches solo in VFR conditions?

Tippy

practicing approaches solo in VFR conditions do not count, you are required to "see and avoid" if in VMC. find a buddy who can be a safety pilot for you in VFR, you both can log PIC time while you are under the hood and split the cost. Other option would be and IPC with and instructor. minimum 2 approaches one of which has to be partial panel non precision, holding, unusual attitude. can be done in under 1.5 if smart about it. my last IPC was about 1.2 or 3.

last option that comes to mind is a simulator at a local flight school. many are authorized for currency and IPC. its a cheaper way to go but not the real thing.

Twin Wasp

MtoM123,

If your IFR currency lapsed less than 6 months ago you can go up with another pilot and shoot approaches and hold and make yourself current again. If the weather is VFR the other pilot does not need an instrument rating and you can be under a hood. If you go more than 6 months you'll need an instrument proficiency check with a double I.

MiLtoMajor123

hmmm....Father is a crusty old pilot....retired but still viable to my training needs. Can he act as my observer if he hasn't touched an aircraft in 5 plus years? I can't find the currency of Observers ....obviously if he was to get regular currency he would need a current medical and 3 take offs and landings. But what about just observing me? Going down the FAR rabbit hole with this line of questions.

MiLtoMajor123

(a) No person who holds an expired pilot certificate or rating may act as pilot in command or as a required pilot flight crewmember of an aircraft of the same category or class that is listed on that expired pilot certificate or rating.

So I guess I found my answer. I'd have to check his certificate and get a new medical.

And to add more info:

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 --
At least six instrument approaches;
Holding procedures; and
Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems.

So it's less restrictive than the military in that A. all of your currency CAN be done in a simulator if it is approved . B. All of your approaches can be Non precision approaches. Both of these are different in the military (well Navy) in that only half your approaches in a simulator would count and that you had to get 6 precision and 6 non precision approaches to stay current.

In addition to getting more flight time, I might go in search of a local flight school with a simulator to curb my costs.

MiLtoMajor123

If this "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"

Then my question is this. What good is it (besides the obvious proficiency of flying and proven motivation to stay current) to get IFR currency in a Cessna 172 when an airline is going to have to get me IFR currency on thier equipment anyway? As in....if I'm overly qualified for a regional airline....and i'm not IFR current in anything......are they NOT going to hire me even tho they have to get me IFR current on new equipment anyway? Im at a point where I'm about to put an app into a regional but dont have a lot of hours in the last 6 months. But am now hesitating because my Single Engine Land IFR currency has lapsed and worry they might reject my app. ???