Instrument Currency

[ajf005]

Ive looked through the FAR/AIM and searched the forums but couldnt find anything. I did my Commercial-Multi Instrument add on about a week ago so do my 6 months restart or not? I think they do because the checkride could be considered an instrument proficiency check but im not sure.

[pyrator]

One would assume so however i think the correct action would be to inform the examiner that you would like to do a IPC at the same time.
My findings are below hope they help.

"An IPC is defined as "An evaluation ride based on the instrument rating practical test standard which is required to regain instrument flying privileges when the privileges have expired due to lack of currency." Well, an IPC can be done at any point in time. However, the CFII checkride does cover the same tasks representative of the instrument rating checkride and it is being conducted by an examiner. From the regs it doesn't appear that a CFII checkride alone would count as an IPC. But, if the examiner gave you an IPC logbook endorsement, it would most certainly count." res: http://www.propilot.com/doc/bbs/messages//5699.html

61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command.

(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.

(2) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in a glider, performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions --

(i) At least 3 hours of instrument time in flight, of which 1 1/2 hours may be acquired in an airplane or a glider if no passengers are to be carried; or

(ii) 3 hours of instrument time in flight in a glider if a passenger is to be carried.

(d) Instrument proficiency check. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who does not meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) of this section within the prescribed time, or within 6 calendar months after the prescribed time, may not serve as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR until that person passes an instrument proficiency check consisting of a representative number of tasks required by the instrument rating practical test.

(1) 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 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.

(2) 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, and provided that both the check pilot and the pilot being tested are employees of that operator;

(iv) An authorized instructor; or

(v) A person approved by the Administrator to conduct instrument practical tests.

[MidlifeFlyer]

Originally Posted by pyrator

One would assume so however I think the correct action would be to inform the examiner that you would like to do a IPC at the same time.

Did this ride give you your first instrument rating? If it was, then you're good to go.

But if you already had an "instrument airplane" rating on your pilot certificate then I don't think it counted to restart the clock. If that's the case, you did not take a "Commercial-Multi Instrument add on" you just took a "Commercial-Multi" add-on. The instrument rating is only category (airplane) not class (single-engine or multi-engine) specific.

The single-engine instrument tasks you have to do on the multi ride are technically so that your instrument rating doesn't get restricted. It does not have to (and usually doesn't) cover all the tasks the PTS requires for an IPC.

[ajf005]

Thanks for all the input