JL

Instrument Rating and IFR Currency (Lecture Notes)

  • IFR overview

    • Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) govern flight operations when the weather is below Visual Flight Rules (VFR) minimums for the airspace you’re in. In other words, when conditions are below VFR minimums, IFR applies.

    • You can fly in the clouds with no reference to the ground or horizon under IFR.

  • Key terms and definitions

    • IMC: Instrument Meteorological Conditions

    • VFR: Visual Flight Rules (visual conditions)

    • VMC: Visual Meteorological Conditions

    • IFR: Instrument Flight Rules

    • IMC conditions trigger IFR operations; VMC/VFR are visual conditions.

  • Part 61 vs Part 141 for instrument rating

    • Part 61 requirements for the instrument rating

    • To be eligible for an instrument rating, you must:

      • Be a private pilot (have private pilot privileges)

      • Be able to read, speak, understand English

      • Meet the time requirements in Part 61 for instrument training

      • Take and pass the knowledge test

    • Time requirements mentioned:

      • You must have 50 hours of PIC cross-country time (cross-country, PIC time).

      • If you are a Part 141 student, the cross-country PIC time requirement for the instrument rating does not apply (i.e., no cross-country PIC time requirement for instrument rating under Part 141).

    • Notes on cross-country PIC time: the 50 hours cross-country PIC requirement under Part 61 does not carry over when pursuing the instrument rating under some 141 pathways.

    • Part 141 considerations

    • Part 141 training environments may have different cross-country PIC requirements or exemptions; in the transcript, it’s stated that there is no cross-country PIC requirement for instrument rating under Part 141.

  • IMC vs VFR vs IFR concepts

    • IMC = instrument meteorological conditions

    • VFR = visual conditions used for VFR flight

    • VMC = visual meteorological conditions

    • IFR flight is governed when weather conditions fall below VFR minimums; IFR procedures guide flight using instruments and navigation systems.

  • Instrument rating training and objectives

    • When pursuing an instrument rating, the student should expect to learn and practice:

    • Interpreting weather and flight instruments; navigation equipment

    • Complying with ATC clearances in IFR environments

    • Flight by reference to instruments and using navigation systems to perform:

      • Instrument departures (SIDs), arrivals (STARs), approaches

      • Emergency procedures

      • SRM (Single-Pilot Resource Management) while training; note that during flight training with an instructor you’ll often see CRM/SRM interplay, but checkride emphasis will be on SRM

    • The instructor may integrate CRM (Crew Resource Management) events in the training flights, especially in the practice area, but on the checkride expect SRM (Single-Pilot Resource Management).

  • View limiting device (VLD) and approach procedures

    • Do not ask the DPE to take controls to remove the view-limiting device during an instrument approach inbound

    • Many DPEs today prefer you to keep the VLD on and simply raise your head for the landing during the approach and landing (especially for circle-to-land in low visibility).

    • If a student removes the headset to look around, it creates a complication when re-fitting the headset.

    • When the cue to look up is given by the DPE, you may look up to identify runway environment visually.

    • In practice: you’ll typically look up when instructed to do so during inbound IFR procedures; until then, maintain instrument reference.

  • Instrument flight training time and logging

    • You must log 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor under Part 61.

    • Time can be logged as dual instruction when operating by reference to instruments with an instructor.

    • Time logged in simulators/ATDs counts as loggable time but may be logged as simulated instrument time unless it’s a training flight with a CFII in a flight environment.

    • Logging rules example:

    • If you fly for 0.2 hours in actual IMC with the VLD on for the majority of the flight and only a brief segment without the VLD (e.g., 0.1 hour without the VLD), you could record approximately 0.2 hours actual instrument time and up to 0.1 hour simulated time on the same flight, depending on the segments and logging rules.

    • For a typical flight of 1.0 hour, most of the time will be logged as either actual instrument time or simulated instrument time depending on IMC conditions and VLD status. If conditions are not IMC for the entire flight, the log will reflect the respective portions as actual vs simulated.

    • Zero-zero takeoffs and landings

    • The instructor notes that zero-zero (zero visibility/zero ceiling) takeoffs are technically possible in some advanced aircraft with synthetic vision, but they are not recommended or considered safe practice.

    • Realistically, expect to fly only when you can return to safe conditions; zero-zero takeoffs are discouraged and not a recommended practice for flight training or instrument training.

  • Instrument training devices and simulators (ATD/FTD) use in training and currency

    • ATD = Aviation Training Device; FTD = Flight Training Device

    • Instrument training can be conducted in an ATD/FTD or in a simulator (full flight simulator or flight training device) and logged accordingly.

    • Simulator time: If you’re in a flight simulator or ATD during training, that time is logged as dual instruction time when supervised by an instructor and used toward instrument rating requirements; however, sim time does not count as actual flight time.

    • Currency and remaining current requirements can be maintained using an ATD or simulator by yourself to conduct interim instrument approaches and logging for experience, but you still need to meet the regulatory currency requirements (see 61.57 below) to act as PIC under IFR.

    • The newer rules (about six years ago) removed the need for a second observer in the sim for maintaining currency; you may log instrument approaches in a simulator to maintain currency so long as you remain current and meet the other regulatory requirements.

  • Safety pilot considerations and currency continuation

    • If you want to conduct instrument approaches in VFR to stay current, you will need a safety pilot who holds the same airplane category and class and a current third-class medical.

    • A safety pilot is required when you are in VFR conditions but performing simulated instrument operations; the safety pilot should hold the correct category and class ratings for the aircraft and a valid medical certificate.

    • You may use ATDs/simulators to remain current, but you must adhere to the instrument currency requirements under 61.57 for logging actual or simulated instrument time and the six-month currency window.

  • 61.57 instrument currency: what you must do to act as PIC under IFR or under weather less than minimums

    • Regulatory reference: 14 CFR § 61.57 defines instrument currency requirements.

    • Summary requirements (as stated in the transcript and standard interpretation):

    • Within the preceding 6 calendar months, you must have performed and logged:

      • 6 instrument approaches

      • Holding procedures and tasks

      • Intercepting and tracking courses through navigational electronic systems (e.g., VOR, GPS)

    • These tasks must be performed and logged in actual or simulated instrument conditions in the appropriate aircraft category or in a flight simulator/FTD that represents the aircraft category.

    • Holding procedures question: The transcript asks whether there is a specific number of holding procedures required; the answer given is that there is no specific number, just the requirement to demonstrate the ability to perform holding procedures somewhere within the six-month window.

    • If you perform instrument approaches by yourself, you must be in IMC and currently meet the currency requirements; you cannot rely on VFR conditions (i.e., you cannot use a safety pilot if you’re attempting to log approaches solo in VFR conditions).

    • If you go beyond the six-month window of currency, you are not current to fly in IMC under IFR; you must regain currency before acting as PIC under IFR. In that case, you may need to reestablish currency through a combination of training and logged time to satisfy the six-month requirement.

    • Practical note: Sometimes you only need to perform one approach or one hold to gain another month or two of recent experience; the instructor hinted at a potential approach to recover currency with minimal flight time by focusing on key currency tasks.

  • Additional practical considerations

    • When planning trips and instrument training, consider how to log time properly and accurately. The instructor emphasized staying within regulatory limits and ensuring you understand when time counts as actual IMC vs simulated IMC.

    • The training environment may include a mix of campus simulation (CFII-led sessions, simulator labs) and actual flight time in an airplane; experiences in simulators are logged as dual instruction and contribute to training, but not as actual flight time for currency.

    • The instructor reminded Cameron (a student) not to rely on DPE to take control or allow switching tasks in ways that violate IFR procedures; always follow established procedures and safety practices during checkrides.

  • References and further study hints

    • Knowledge test is required as part of the instrument rating process.

    • Read and become familiar with the regulatory reference: 14 CFR § 61.57 for instrument currency; understand the six-month window and the required instrument tasks (six approaches, holding, intercepting and tracking courses).

    • For additional context, review definitions of IMC, VMC, and the role of SRM in single-pilot IFR operations.

    • Review the types of flight training devices (ATD/FTD/FSS simulators) and how they contribute to training and currency; understand how logbooks differentiate dual instruction vs simulated vs actual time.

  • Quick recap essentials for exam preparedness

    • Understand when IFR applies (below VFR minimums) and what constitutes IMC, VFR, and VMC.

    • Know Part 61 instrument rating prerequisites and the cross-country timing differences for Part 61 vs Part 141.

    • Memorize the instrument currency requirement under 61.57: six instrument approaches, holding, and intercepting/tracking within the last six calendar months; loggable time in actual vs simulated IMC conditions; use of ATDs/FTDs; safety pilot requirements when practicing in VFR.

    • Be prepared to explain the difference between SRM and CRM, and why SRM is emphasized for the instrument rating and checkride.

    • Be mindful of VLD usage during instrument approaches and how to interact with DPE guidance during checkrides.

    • Understand practical implications of zero-zero takeoffs and why they are discouraged, even if technically possible in some aircraft with advanced avionics.