IFR Currency

[H46Bubba]

I've been going through my log book and auditing it, since it's the end of the year. When does the 6 months of currency begin. Is it from the first approach or the last approach of the six approaches? Which is it? The FARs don't really state when currency begins. That's the only part of the rating that is a pain in the a$$.

 

[SteveC]

I've been going through my log book and auditing it, since it's the end of the year. When does the 6 months of currency begin. Is it from the first approach or the last approach of the six approaches? Which is it? The FARs don't really state when currency begins. That's the only part of the rating that is a pain in the a$$.

Don't have it in front of me, but the wording is probably something like: "During the previous six months.....", i.e. all approaches must be within the last six months, not six months from the last one.

 

[Malko]

I've been going through my log book and auditing it, since it's the end of the year. When does the 6 months of currency begin. Is it from the first approach or the last approach of the six approaches? Which is it? The FARs don't really state when currency begins. That's the only part of the rating that is a pain in the a$$.

61.57.2

(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

I believe it is more of a rolling 6 months. The clock is always ticking. Once you do not have 6 in the oreceding 6 months, you are not current...other than the grace period of 6 months in which you may not act PIC in IFR.

 

[H46Bubba]

So... Say I got my instrument in April, I get my 6 approaches and a hold during the next 6 months. The six months ends October and I have to get current again during the next six months? That's how I originally thought it was and I interpereted from the FARs, but there were some contradicting info from some of the instructors I asked at DCA. Actually some had no clue!

 

[Van_Hoolio]

Count back six months from today's date in your logbook. You are current if in those 6 months you have the

Six approaches, (6)
Holding procedures, (1)
Intercepting &
Tracking of radials. (1)


Mike

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

So... Say I got my instrument in April, I get my 6 approaches and a hold during the next 6 months. The six months ends October and I have to get current again during the next six months? That's how I originally thought it was and I interpereted from the FARs

Maybe. I'm not sure what you are saying.

As of the day you received your instrument rating, you were current for the next 6 calendar months. So, if you got your instrument in April, you could fly under IFR until October 31 without doing even one single logable approach or hold.

Whether you are current today, December 15, depends on when those 6 approaches and a hold took place.

Here's the problem. IFR currency is a "look back." You start with =today= and look to what you did during the previous 6 calendar months - that would be June 1.

So, from your example, let's say the 6 approaches you did in the 6 months after getting the ticket were one each in May, June, July, August, Sept, and Oct. None since. Sorry, you are =not= current today. If you look back 6 months from today, you only have 5 approaches in the past 6 calendar months. You lost currency at the end of November.

Once you are have lost currency, the FAA gives you another 6 calendar months to get current on your own - you still can't act as PIC on an IFR flight, but you can log the necessary approaches and holds under the hood or even in actual (if another pilot is acting as the pilot in command of the flight.

Once you have the date you lost currency, it's probably easier to count forward from that point. Since you lost currency at th end of November, you have until the end of May to regain it without an IPC.

 

[H46Bubba]

Ok, I got it now. So from April-October, I'm good. From Nov 1st to Apr 30 I would have to do another 6 appr. and a hold to be current. I guess I'm passed my initial six months, so I'll need to hodd or sim time to get current.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Ok, I got it now. So from April-October, I'm good. From Nov 1st to Apr 30 I would have to do another 6 appr. and a hold to be current. I guess I'm passed my initial six months, so I'll need to hold or sim time to get current.

Not necessarily. If we're sticking with the same scenario, you have 5 approaches in the past 6 months. You only need one more to be current to the end of December (and maybe a hold depending on when that last hold was)

 

[H46Bubba]

Of course this was all hypathetical. I haven't done an approach or hold in over six months. I'm heading back to SoCal after the holidays. Due to the Marine layer that is a permanent part of the weather picture in SoCal, being IFR current is important. I was just seeing where I stand, so I could take the appropriate action when I get there.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Of course this was all hypathetical. I haven't done an approach or hold in over six months. I'm heading back to SoCal after the holidays. Due to the Marine layer that is a permanent part of the weather picture in SoCal, being IFR current is important. I was just seeing where I stand, so I could take the appropriate action when I get there.

Probably doesn't need to be said, but remember that "current" does not equal "proficient."

If you just got your rating about 6 months ago and have not flown instruments since, you might want to do those some of those 6 approaches and hold with a CFI rather than a safety pilot and treat it as a refresher.

BTW, where in "The Sticks of N.M." are you?

 

[H46Bubba]

I agree, current doesn't mean profficient. I plan on getting a CFII to do all my approaches and a hold. I could do one today but I'm pretty rusty. Oh, the sticks would be Sapello, NM. It's about 30 minutes north of Las Vegas, NM

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Oh, the sticks would be Sapello, NM. It's about 30 minutes north of Las Vegas, NM

I don't know the town, but I have an idea where that it. I passed over LVA on my last flight to Santa Fe and have landed there more than a few times.