Not only do I need to coordinate some air time, I also realize that I have a long road to getting current. I should take my own advice and remind myself that it's all about the journey, not just the destination. As in the healing process, so shall the return to flight progress, with baby steps.
I'm anxious and trying to find things to do to keep myself busy. Reading about flight, watching training videos and YouTube videos of my past flights and a few favorite pilots that I follow.
I'm still indulging in sailing videos and have started to watch ranching videos. I've even started to watch horse training videos. I look at my roping saddle here in my office and wonder if I'll ever sit a horse again...idle minds.
You're Not Current... Now What?
by Swayne Martin
If you haven't met currency requirements, you have another 6 calendar months to complete 6 approaches, tracking and intercepting, and holding before you'll have to complete an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). We'll get to IPCs shortly. During this 6 month grace period, you cannot act as PIC under IFR or in conditions less than VFR. You do, however, have some easy options for regaining currency. Here are three of the best ways to do it:
1) Fly With A Safety Pilot: To simulate instrument approach conditions, a pilot may wear a view-limiting device during VFR conditions. As the pilot seeking currency, you can now work towards logging the required amount of instrument approaches, tracking and intercepting, and holding. The safety pilot must possess a current medical certificate, occupy the other control seat, and be appropriately rated in the category and class aircraft flown [FAR 61.3(c), 61.51, 61.57(c), and 91.109].
2) Fly With A CFI/CFII: A CFI can fly with you in actual or simulated conditions in order for you to regain currency. To fly in the clouds, they must be instrument current, otherwise the flight must be conducted under VFR. The only time the instructor must be a CFII is when logging dual received flight time towards an instrument rating under 14 CFR 61.65(d)(2).
3) Complete A Full IPC: Anytime you complete an Instrument Proficiency Check, you automatically become current for the next 6 calendar months. As you'll learn about below, the IPC requires fewer approaches than normal currency requirements, so it could be a great way to get things done quickly with an experienced instructor.
The Regs...
14 CFR § 61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command
(a)General experience.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no person may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers or of an aircraft certificated for more than one pilot flight crewmember unless that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days, and -
(i) The person acted as the sole manipulator of the flight controls; and
(ii) The required takeoffs and landings were performed in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required), and, if the aircraft to be flown is an airplane with a tailwheel, the takeoffs and landings must have been made to a full stop in an airplane with a tailwheel.
(2) For the purpose of meeting the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a person may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft under day VFR or day IFR, provided no persons or property are carried on board the aircraft, other than those necessary for the conduct of the flight.
(3) The takeoffs and landings required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be accomplished in a full flight simulator or flight training device that is -
(i) Approved by the Administrator for landings; and
(ii) Used in accordance with an approved course conducted by a training center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(b)Night takeoff and landing experience.
(c)Instrument experience. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person may act as pilot in command under IFR or weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR only if:
(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.
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) Post flight 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;
(iv) An authorized instructor; or
(v) A person approved by the Administrator to conduct instrument practical tests.
