Instrument Recent Flight Experience As PIC

gocaps16

gocaps16

Well-Known Member
Ok, A question to the CFII(s) on here.

According to Michael Haynes, "Instrument Pilot Oral Exam Guide" 8th Edition (current guide), states:

"A pilot is current for the first 6 months following his/her instrument checkride or proficiency check. If the pilot has not completed at least six instrument approaches, including holding, intercepting and tracking, within the first 6 months, he/she is no longer legal to file and fly under IFR. To be legal again, the regulations allows a "grace period" (the second six month period) in which a pilot get current by finding an "appropriately rated safety pilot and in simulated IFR conditions only, acquire the six instrument approaches, etc."

However, according to the 2015 FAR/AIM book, I do not see this six month grace period. Only I see the Six HIT in the proceeding 6 months if not, next thing is an IPC with an authorized flight instructor.

Is this an old thing and has changed? I heard of this six month grace period rule when I was training with a USAF Flying club overseas years ago where my CFII told me about it but that was in 2013. For checkride preparation I know we will discuss this for my oral. So, I'm going by what the FAR/AIM 14 CFR 61.57 states, but should I bring up the "grace period" idea? Also, I am active duty and I do go on some intense long deployments usually averaging 7-8 months so this "grace period" will help me otherwise, I would be doing IPCs quite frequently.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
 
The grace period is in 61.57(d). As a military guy who has deployed in a non-flying deployment, I think an IPC is easier than racking up 6 approaches, holding, and tracking in one go pre-deployment.
 
hook_dupin said:
The grace period is in 61.57(d).
Click to expand...

61.57(d) talks about Instrument Proficiency Check and no where I see states this grace period. I understand an IPC might be easier and cheaper (I suppose it is similar to instrument instructional flying) then saying doing your six approaches in which you could do your 6 approaches in several hours or in 2 days. I will not mind one bit on an IPC so I can maintain my instrument proficiency. Thanks.
 
gocaps16 said:
61.57(d) talks about Instrument Proficiency Check and no where I see states this grace period. I understand an IPC might be easier and cheaper (I suppose it is similar to instrument instructional flying) then saying doing your six approaches in which you could do your 6 approaches in several hours or in 2 days. I will not mind one bit on an IPC so I can maintain my instrument proficiency. Thanks.
Click to expand...

61.57(d) said:
Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who has failed to meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) for more than six calendar months may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check.
Click to expand...

Reads like a grace period to me. Yes, it doesn't formally say "grace period."
 
Hmmm, I thought an IPC is basically a checkride to PTS standard but you are flying with an FAA certified CFII. Just to clarify, I thought it was this say by this scenerio.
Say if I passed my Instrument rating checkride and a week later, I go on a 7 month deployment to the Persian Gulf. (Yea, bad timing) Once I come back, I am allowed this "grace period" for another 6 months getting my 6 approaches, holding and tracking however, only difference is flying under the hood in VFR conditions unlike the first 6 months, I could get my approaches in actual IMC. If I miss that 6 month "grace period", only way to get current after that is an Instrument Proficiency Check.
Sorry for the confusion but that was how I was taught but I do not see it in the FAR/AIM and I do not want to fail my checkride for some simple...very unlikely though. By what 61.57 states, sounds like this "grace period" is no longer approved.
Again, thanks.
 
gocaps16 said:
Say if I passed my Instrument rating checkride and a week later, I go on a 7 month deployment to the Persian Gulf. (Yea, bad timing) Once I come back, I am allowed this "grace period" for another 6 months getting my 6 approaches, holding and tracking however, only difference is flying under the hood in VFR conditions unlike the first 6 months, I could get my approaches in actual IMC. If I miss that 6 month "grace period", only way to get current after that is an Instrument Proficiency Check.
Click to expand...

You got it. If you pass your instrument checkride, do no further instrument work, and go on a cruise for 7 months, you will return in that grace period where you cannot act as PIC under IFR but you may update your instrument currency with a safety pilot (note: this can be done in IMC, but your safety pilot must be instrument rated and current).

The grace period is very much still approved. 61.57(d) says "failed to meet instrument experience requirements by more than six calendar months." You meet the 61.57(c) requirements up to six calendar months from completing any of the laundry list of ways to be instrument current. You then fail to meet the 61.57(c) experience requirements starting on the seventh calendar month...

On one deployment, I convinced a bro to be my safety pilot for the S.H.IT (Six approaches, Holding, Intercept and Tracking -I bet you remember that forever). I deployed for six months plus the always variable amount of travel time. Upon my return, I then did the same thing as I was in my grace period.

An older, wiser me later deployed again and just did an IPC upon my return.
 
hook_dupin said:
Reads like a grace period to me. Yes, it doesn't formally say "grace period."
Click to expand...

The wording is pretty clear, if you're used to reading FAAese.

Say you do six approaches and a hold on 01/01/2015:

[a. 01/01/2015] -------------------> [b. 07/01/2015] -------------------> [c. 01/01/2016]

At point a, you meet the currency requirements and can file, maintain currency, do whatever you like;
At point b, you can't file, but you can go up with a safety pilot and regain your currency, which resets the clock, but:
At point c, you have not met the requirements of 61.57(c) for six calendar months, and thus need an IPC.

-Fox
 
aviatorx43 said:
^ Wouldn't that be 7/31/15 and 1/31/16 then? :)
Click to expand...
8/1 and 2/1 actually. On 7/31 for example, the pilot would still be current.

I'm sure all of us have done it at one time of another: "it's pretty clear" followed by something incorrect. But it is funny.

The real key is to forget the dd part of the date altogether: "Say you do 6 approaches and a hold in January 2015" gives a more accurate analysis of what the rule actually says and a correct result.
 
It was late, and I was very tired. I actually figured I was going to get it wrong, but thought that the point would stand anyway.

In retrospect, I'm not sure how I got that wrong... but I still don't care much. XD

Alaska has ... loosened my grip on the regs a bit. :/

-Fox
 
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