Conducting the Instrument Proficiency Check

1. Conducting the Instrument Proficiency Check

2. Objectives The CFI and Instrument Rated pilot will: • Learn the methods to prepare for an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) • Understand the correct procedures and required tasks to complete an IPC in accordance with FAR 61.57(c) &(d) • Know the regulations and requirements for instrument currency.

3. The IPC Challenge • The IPC is a condensed version of an Instrument Practical Test. • The CFI must make the same evaluation of the applicants’ skills and knowledge as a DPE would during an Instrument Practical Exam. • The CFI actually assumes the role of an “extended” examiner.

4. Instructor Requirements • Rated in aircraft • Possess Instrument Instructor qualifications. • Be current and qualified to act as PIC if applicant is not current. (61.57) • If conducted in IMC the CFI must meet all 6 month IFR currency requirements for that category to act as PIC.

5. Required Documents for the IPC FAA-S-8081-4E January 2010. Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards AC61-98B. Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check.

6. IPC Using an FTD or A-ATD • A CFI may conduct part or all of the IPC in an approved ground trainers or FTDs that meet the requirements of § 61.4. If given in an aircraft training device, that trainer must receive specific approval for such use, in writing, by the FAA Administrator

7. IPC Using an FTD or A-ATD • Pilots or CFIs contemplating use of such a device for an IPC should contact their local FSDO.

8. Instructor Responsibility • You must determine and attest that the airman has the necessary knowledge and skill required to operate safely in IMC. • The standards by which you judge the airmen's ability are found in the Instrument Practical Test Standards.

9. Instructor Responsibility • The CFI must determine that the applicant is able to demonstrate knowledge and skills to the same degree as the required tasks indicated in the Instrument Rating PTS. • For example, the PTS requires no greater than a ¾ scale deviation on an ILS approach. The same applies on the IPC

10. Instructor Responsibility The CFI must be knowledgeable of the unique avionics, system functions, and operating procedures of the applicant’s aircraft in order to determine operational competency.

11. Instructor Responsibility • A plan of action that includes a scenario based lesson should be developed prior to the appointment. • The ground and flight portions should include an overall review of the airmen’s knowledge and skills.

12. Preparing for the IPC In advance of your appointment, ask the pilot to review the: • Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8261-1G) • Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B) • Aviation Weather and Weather Services • Appropriate Flight Manual Supplements

13. Preparing for the IPC Remind the pilot to bring current copies of the following documents: • Instrument Rating PTS • Current Approach Procedures charts and Enroute Charts • Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), • Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) or Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).

14. Preparing for the IPC • Review with the applicant all STCs to insure the capability of the avionics equipment for LNAV, LPV, and VNAV approaches (if GPS equipped) • Insure the required handbooks and Quick Reference Guides (QRG) are on board I/A/W the STC

15. Preparing for the IPC • A demonstration of the proper use of all avionics equipment, navigation systems, autopilot, and their integration on the flight deck, should be included in the IPC. • If the data base is not current, you may either require the applicant to install current data prior to the appointment or conduct the IPC in VFR conditions with simulated IMC. • Never conduct the IPC neglecting to use all equipment unless it is inoperative for VFR flight.

16. Preparing for the IPC Ask the applicant to provide an approved view limiting device (all airmen should have one in their flight bag) Insist the applicant adhere to a strict policy of wearing an approved view limiting device. A baseball cap is not an approved device, neither is keeping his/her head down during the flight.

17. IPC Tools Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards must be used as a guide to conduct the IPC

20. Airmen’s Preparation Applicant should be knowledgeable of • 14 CFR Part 91 IFR General Operating Rules. • AIM Basic Flight Information and ATC procedures • Instrument Procedures • Aviation Weather Analysis

21. Determining Airmen’s Knowledge • Enroute and Approach Charts. • Obtaining and interpreting Weather information. • Preflight planning, aircraft performance, required fuel. • Aircraft systems related to IFR operations, limitations, and emergency procedures. • Flight instruments, navigation equipment, and required performance.

22. Cross Country Planning • IPC should be structured as a scenario based IFR Cross Country flight with imaginary IMC weather conditions that may require alternate destinations. • The CFI should challenge the applicants Risk Management skills, knowledge, and aeronautical skills.

23. Ground Review: Weather • Describe to the applicant a scenario that includes challenging weather for departure, en route, and arrival. • Include convective activity, freezing levels, low ceilings and visibilities. • Discuss alternate minimums, GPS requirements, and available approaches.

24. Ground Review: Evaluate • Personal Minimums • Aircraft equipment • Terrain/Obstacles • Distance/Time/Distance and Fuel Requirements

25. Determining Approach Navigation Ability and Procedures Applicant must demonstrate: • At least one Precision Approach to minimums with either a landing or a go around using a missed approach procedure . • At least two Non-precision approaches , two minimums, one of which must include a procedure turn or a TAA procedure in the case of an RNAV approach.

26. Determining Approach Navigation Ability and Procedures • At least one non-precision approach must be flown without the autopilot engaged. Using a Flight Director is at the discretion of the CFI

27. Determining Navigation Skill • The applicant should be required to demonstrate both knowledge and ability to track and intercept VOR Radials , DME arcs, and/or airways without the use of GPS navigation systems.

28. Navigation Skills Demonstrate ability to: • Enter hold • Fly an ARC • Load a FIX and fly to it. • Fly a GPS approach either with Vectors or no radar assistance. • Fly a missed approach procedure to a hold.

29. Navigation Skills • The CFI should not assist the applicant with any radio communication or chart interpretation except for safety reasons or training. • The applicant must demonstrate his/her ability to conduct Single Pilot IFR tasks during the IPC.

30. Unusual Attitude Recovery • Applicant must demonstrate recovery from an unusual attitude in both Pitch Up and Pitch Down • Insure that applicant understands the correct recovery procedure for both (they are different)

31. Perishable SkillsCurrency Does Not Guarantee Proficiency • Like any learned skill, practice and recurrent training are necessary to maintain a safe level of proficiency. • If time permits, it may be necessary to allow the applicant multiple opportunities and additional instruction in order to improve necessary skills to an acceptable level during the proficiency check.

32. Perishable SkillsAdditional Instruction • The applicant’s log book must be endorsed for dual instruction received but no IPC endorsement can be made until all required tasks are successfully completed to the practical test standards.

33. Log Book Entry • Log book entry must include the type of approach, location, and under what conditions (actual or simulated). • Review with your applicant the requirements to maintain currency over the following 6 months.

34. Regulatory Requirements: Aircraft • 61.57[(c) Instrument experience: (1) Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight, that person performed and logged ….in an airplane…. in actual weather conditions, or under simulated conditions using an approved view-limiting device…the following tasks:(i) Six instrument approaches.(ii) Holding procedures and tasks.(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems.

35. Logging Instrument Flight Time • 61.51 (g)3) For the purposes of logging instrument time to meet the recent instrument experience requirements of §61.57(c) of this part, the following information must be recorded in the person's logbook -- • (i) The location and type of each instrument approach accomplished; and • (ii) The name of the safety pilot, if required. • (4) A flight simulator or approved flight training device may be used by a person to log instrument time, provided an authorized instructor is present during the simulated flight.

36. Regulatory Requirements: • All approaches, holding, and airway navigation must be logged within the preceding 6 months. • Airmen must “look back” six months to insure currency to act as PIC in instrument conditions

37. Regulatory Requirements: Flight Simulator or Flight Training Device • Instrument experience: Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight, that person performed and logged in a flight simulator or flight training device, provided the flight simulator or flight training device represents the category of aircraft for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained and 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.

38. “Authorized Instructor” • To comply with 61.51 (g) in an airplane, an authorized instructor is an instrument airplane instructor who is current and qualified. No medical is required if operating a FTD or simulator. • An instrument instructor, airplane, must administer the flight time (dual given) when logging required flight time in a FTD or simulator.

39. Questions

40. Class Project • Divide class into discussion groups • Elect spokesperson for each group • Consider the following: • What are your best practices for: • Developing IPC Scenarios • i.e. What are the characteristics of a good scenario? • Assessing Aeronautical Decision Making and Risk Management during the IPC • Integrating Electronic Flight Bag i.e. Tablet computer technology with the IPC

41. Special Thanks for Creation of This Product Go To: • Robert Sutherlin, FAASTeam Program Manager • The North Carolina FAASTeam