Instrument proficiency checklist

Jonas wrote:

How do you guys maintain your instrument proficiency? (especially for low timers)

After getting my IR and before getting an opportunity to get paid for (ir)regular flying -which was a period of about one year – I hired a plane with a buddy from the flying school every second Saturday. We would do a short flight to a nearby airfield with instrument procedures, maybe one hour flying time for the round trip, and each of us would fly one leg. So we got four full instrument flights (SID, approach, sometimes a missed approach) per month among us, all year round in every weather, whilst paying only for one flying hour per month each. Worked out well and it is a lot more hand flying experience that I got ever since… (now it is, as per SOP: autopilot on as soon as possible, latest when passing FL100 and autopilot off as late as possible, latest 170ft AGL because Honeywell want’s it that way).

Peter wrote:

Anthony – references…

I presume you mean references for the “arguably after the FAF” statement. I deliberately used the word arguably because the FARs are ambiguous (or in fact silent) on the subject… However, there is an FAA opinion which is mentioned in the following (US)AOPA article:

AOPA article in instrument proficiency

The salient paragraph says:

The FAA does not require the ceiling to be at MDA or DA/DH during a flight in IMC. The approach may still be logged if an aircraft maneuvering in IMC transitions from IMC to visual meteorological conditions (VMC) on the final approach segment of the IAP prior to or upon reaching MDA or DA/DH.

For completeness, here is the relevant FAA InFO:

FAA InFO 15012

Lydd is £19+VAT.

Far quicker than going to Calais and there you have to land to get the duty drawback, so half a day gone. Also there is nothing there, like Lydd.

Anthony – references…

Peter wrote:

I fly enough approaches by about a factor of 5x to meet the FAA 6/6 rolling currency.

Bearing in mind currency-qualifying approaches need to be in IMC (arguably after the FAF), you do fly often in crap weather!

Regardless, I think an IPC with a CFII once a year is worthwhile….and silences some of the anti-FAA IR arguments…

Peter wrote:

I pop down to Lydd every so often and fly their ILS, then phone them with the CC details for the £20

You might find their charges have increased, Peter.

Alternatively (and probably a shorter distance instead of flogging your way around the Lydd ILS/DME arc) nip over to Calais, and pocket £150+ fuel rebate and a case of Beaujolais?

I use an X-plane simulator with proper yoke, pedals and power quadrant. Works wonders.

I fly enough approaches by about a factor of 5x to meet the FAA 6/6 rolling currency. Otherwise, to keep current, I pop down to Lydd every so often and fly their ILS, then phone them with the CC details for the £20

Jonas wrote:

Mainly when not current, but interesting to know if you practice anything even if (very) current :)

If current under FAA rules then no. If not current then I have no choice but to fly with an instructor. For skills yes a simulator could help a little but unless very realistic won’t solve actual currency.

Are you asking day-to-day or as a refresher when not current?

Day to day, fly IFR a lot.

If not current then fly with an instructor..