Tomhawker

Does any know if recurrent/upgrade counts as a proficiency check for IFR currency requirements when flying GA? I’m trying to decide if I need to count back or if I can just use my last schoolhouse time.

martyByrde

...61.57(e)

FullThrust

No it does not.

martyByrde

As long as you’re in compliance with 121.439, you won’t need an IPC.

tallpilot

(2) This section does not apply to a pilot in command who is employed by a part 119 certificate holder authorized to conduct operations under part 121 when the pilot is engaged in a flight operation under part 91 or 121 for that certificate holder if the pilot in command complies with §§ 121.436 and 121.439 of this chapter.



A 121.441 counts as a 61.58 (which counts as a flight review) and any take offs, landings and approaches in the simulator count toward currency. It is not however an IPC. For operations not conducted for the certificate holder your logbook needs to reflect 6 approaches in the last 6 months (including those in the simulator which most pilots don't log).

TiredSoul

Small addition it’s a record acceptable to the Administrator so it can be company records or aim training records.
Obviously be more convenient if you put it in a logbook for quicker review.

jonnyjetprop

Yes...…..your regular line flying and simulator training can be used to meet the requirements. An IPC is only required if you went 6 months past your 6 months of currency. Effectively, you have 12 months to accomplish the following:

(1) Use of an airplane, powered-lift, helicopter, or airship for maintaining instrument experience. Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight, that person performed and logged at least the following tasks and iterations in an airplane, powered-lift, helicopter, or airship, as appropriate, for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained in actual weather conditions, or under simulated conditions using a view-limiting device that involves having performed the following -

(i) Six instrument approaches.

(ii) Holding procedures and tasks.

(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems.

(2) Use of a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for maintaining instrument experience. A pilot may accomplish the requirements in paragraph (c)(1) of this section in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device provided the device represents the category of aircraft for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained and the pilot performs the tasks and iterations in simulated instrument conditions. A person may complete the instrument experience in any combination of an aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device.

Most active 121 pilots will meet this standard

Does a company check ride count as an IPC: Yes, if all the items are covered (yes, they are)

(d) Instrument proficiency check. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who has failed to meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for more than six calendar months may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check. The instrument proficiency check must consist of at least the following areas of operation:

(i) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;

(ii) Flight by reference to instruments;

(iii) Navigation systems;

(iv) Instrument approach procedures;

(v) Emergency operations; and

(vi) Postflight procedures.

(2) The instrument proficiency check must be -

(i) In an aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category;

(ii) For other than a glider, in a full flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category; or
(iii) For a glider, in a single-engine airplane or a glider.

(3) The instrument proficiency check must be given by -

(i) An examiner;

(ii) A person authorized by the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct instrument flight tests, provided the person being tested is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces;

(iii) A company check pilot who is authorized to conduct instrument flight tests under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter or subpart K of part 91 of this chapter, and provided that both the check pilot and the pilot being tested are employees of that operator or fractional ownership program manager, as applicable;

Tomhawker

Thanks for all the responses. I’m good ether way but I think I’ll start doing a better job of logging holds and documenting the sim events.

Swakid8

Primary reason why I log my Sim events, helps with the Instrument currency.

rickair7777

Careful, several considerations...

1. 121 currency does not automatically translate to 91 instrument currency. 3(iii) above says a sim instructor CAN give you an IPC... it does NOT say recurrent sim IS an IPC. The automatic IPC reset vie 121 reccurent sim applies ONLY to 121 PICs (see 61.57(e)(2) ). For an SIC in need of an IPC, if your sim instructor is also a CFII (most are but not all) you could could ask him to sign off an IPC, but he does not have to and many won't.

2. If you met 91 IFR currency within a rolling 12 month window via approaches, radials, holds in the sim and/or line flying, then you can regain IFR currency through tasks, vice an IPC. For that you can use any tasks in the airplane or sim, and do not need anyone to sign your personal book (make sure you log tasks in then airplane, since the company does not track those).

3. If you go more than 12 months you need an IPC, and recurrent sim does not automatically count as a 91 IPC for SICs.

4. You do not need to log sim tasks in your personal logbook for them to count, you can always use the company records if the FAA asks. That's a good thing because many (most?) sim instructors (especially if they actually don't hold a CFII rating) will not sign your personal book since that exposes them to personal liability for your GA flying (I would most certainly not). But you will want to verify what it's the company records to make sure you have enough tasks to stay current.