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Instrument Proficiency Check

•FAR requirements

•IPC components

•Q&A

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IPC per the FAAwww.straight-and-level.com

A word from our sponsor

In April, 2004, the FAA revised the Practical Test Standards for the Instrument Rating. The new standards went into effect October 1, 2004. Of particular interest to pilots holding instrument ratings is a substantial change in the requirements for administering an Instrument Proficiency Check (“IPC”).

However, the revised PTS no longer give the CFII discretion in how an IPC is to be conducted or the tasks to be performed. The current PTS now require completion of specific tasks including holds, unusual attitudes, intercepting nav-aids and DME-arcs, precision, non-precision and circling approaches, partial-panel and review of instruments and aircraft equipment.

Under the revised PTS, all of the designated tasks must now be satisfactorily completed. Although a pilot and instructor can still tailor the IPC to focus on tasks needing additional work, the remainder of the designated tasks will still need to be completed. This will increase the time required for an IPC.

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IPC per the FARswww.straight-and-level.com

14 CFR 61.57

(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.

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IPC per the FARswww.straight-and-level.com

The check must include:

Ground PortionDetermine that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of 14 CFR Part 91, especially Subpart B, Instrument Flight Rules; Subpart C, Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements; and Subpart E, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations.

Flight PortionThe maneuvers and procedures selected for the IPC will be comprehensive enough to enable the CFI to determine the pilot can safely operate under IFR in a broad range of conditions and the ATC environment selected. Proper adherence to ATC clearances will be especially emphasized. Regardless of maneuvers and procedures selected, the CFI will ensure that the pilot demonstrates satisfactory basic attitude instrument flying skills. For checks conducted not under actual instrument weather conditions, an appropriate view limiting device will be employed to simulate instrument conditions.

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Blocks of the IPCwww.straight-and-level.com

IPC Sign-off

Confirm Pilot

experience

Aircraft review and Pre-flight

POH review

Ground Review

Flight Check

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IPC Q&Aswww.straight-and-level.com

(1) Who is required to have an IPC? An instrument-rated pilot who hasn't done the required approaches, holding patterns & navigational tracking in last 12 months.

(2) Is a written exam required? No. The pilot is required to demonstrate his knowledge of general operating and flight rules of FAR Part 91.

(3) Is it possible to fail a PIC? A person cannot “fail” a IPC however it is the discretion of the instructor whether or not to sign the pilot’s logbook.

(4) Is an unsuccessful IPC recorded in the pilot’s logbook? No.(5) Must a pilot have a current medical to complete the flight review?

A pilot may complete an IPC without a current medical, but must obtain a current medical before acting as PIC.

(6) Do you have to take an IPC for each category and class aircraft in which you are rated? No. Completion of a IPC allows the pilot to act as PIC in any category and class which rated.

(7) How much does it cost? A Straight-and-Level IPC is based on a $60.00 per hour instruction rate. The average IPC is 3 to 4 hours.

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Flight Review…still interested?www.straight-and-level.com

If you are interested in completing your next Flight Review with Straight-

and-Level here’s what you should do:

• Send an e-mail and request the “Flight Review Document”.

• Review the four page Flight Review word document. The document requests some basic information and gives Straight-and-Level an idea of your flying experience. The document gives you an idea of what to expect during the flight review.

• Break out your Logbook and POH, start completing some basic data gathering, on you and the plane you expect to fly.

• Contact Straight-and-Level and let’s set up a time to complete the ground and flight training. Be sure to send the first page of the Flight Review Document via e-mail prior to the review date.