Question about Instrument Currency

[OU812]

Question about currency. If I had an IPC less then a year ago, but more then six months ago, and have logged no approaches, can I still do the 6 approaches on my own as PIC to count towards currency. I have heard that you cant do them unless you have someone else acting as PIC...

[Cessnaflyer]

You need an appropriatly rated safety pilot

[qflyer]

"(c) Instrument experience. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, unless within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has:
(1) 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—
(i) At least six instrument approaches;
(ii) Holding procedures; and
(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems."

Since it has been longer than 6 months, you must have a safety pilot with you to log the appraoches since you can't act as PIC under IFR. If you go past 12 cal. month, you'll need another IPC.

[MidlifeFlyer]

Originally Posted by OU812

Question about currency. If I had an IPC less then a year ago, but more then six months ago, and have logged no approaches, can I still do the 6 approaches on my own as PIC to count towards currency. I have heard that you cant do them unless you have someone else acting as PIC...

You heard right, at least partially. After that 6 months you are no longer current to act as PIC under IFR. So you need (1) someone else to act as PIC if you are going to try to do the approaches in actual, (2) a safety pilot if you are going to do them simulated under the hood, or (3) a CFII if you are going to do them in a flight simulator or FTD.

And, just in case (someone actually does think this from time to time) no, you cannot do them without a hood in visual conditions and have them count.