Failing an IPC?

av8tr1

av8tr1

"Never tell me the odds!"
Couple of stupid questions for you. I've been asked to do a IPC for a pilot. Its the first one I have ever done. He is dual rated Rotor and SEL with instrument for both. But hasn't flown instruments in a helicopter for a couple of years. Owns his own helicopter and flies VFR regularly though. He asked me a couple of questions today that I wanted to make sure I had the right answer for.

Will the IPC work for both ratings like a BFR or just the category of aircraft we fly in?

If this pilot fails to meet the PTS performance standard what happens to his IFR rating if anything? Obviously he isn't legal to fly in the clouds but his IFR rating is still valid just not current. So if he fails does he just need a few more training flights than another IPC? Basically what is the plan for this pilot if he fails the IPC?
 
Well, if you don't feel comfortable signing him off you sign it as dual given and keep training. When you do feel comfortable (and he has met the PTS minima for an IPC) you sign the IPC. Exactly the same as a Flight Review except a flight review doesn't have a PTS itemized set of tasks (or at least, didn't when I was giving them).
 
av8tr1 said:
Will the IPC work for both ratings like a BFR or just the category of aircraft we fly in?
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It does not. Look at the difference in the wording of the two rules:

A flight review is "in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated." OTOH, an IPC must be "In an aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category;"

IOW, if a pilot has single and multi-engine airplane ratings and a helicopter rating, a flight review in a Cessna 152 satisfies all. But an IPC (and instrument currrency in general) is category-specific. That 152 IPC will be good for his ASEL and AMEL currency but not for the helicopters.

If he "fails" nothing happens to his ratings. He's just not IFR current until he satisfactorily completes the IPC. The FAA does not give CFIs the ability to remove pilot certificates or ratings.
 
Thanks for the responses folks. The customer was fairly concerned about the ramifications of not passing a IPC and was insistent that the IPC would count for both fixed wing and rotorcraft.

Figured I would make sure I had my facts straight. I recommended he go with one of the local schools for some IFR refresher training rather than me.
 
av8tr1 said:
Thanks for the responses folks. The customer was fairly concerned about the ramifications of not passing a IPC and was insistent that the IPC would count for both fixed wing and rotorcraft.

Figured I would make sure I had my facts straight. I recommended he go with one of the local schools for some IFR refresher training rather than me.
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Well, it would if he did one in both fixed wing and rotorcraft. Maybe the first thing they will do is review the rules about IPCs with him? :D

BTW, here's the FAA Chief Counsel interpretation letter on the subject: 2012 Williams Interpretation. It deals with the general 6-in-6 currency but the principle is the same.
 
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MidlifeFlyer said:
Well, it would if he did one in both fixed wing and rotorcraft. Maybe the first thing they will do is review the rules about IPCs with him? :D

BTW, here's the FAA Chief Counsel interpretation letter on the subject: 2012 Williams Interpretation. It deals with the general 6-in-6 currency but the principle is the same.
Click to expand...

LOL yeah, there was a reason I forwarded him on to someone else.....;)
 
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