| In April, 2004, the FAA updated and revised the | | | | demonstrate the necessary competency to pass an |
| Practical Test Standards ( PTS) for the Instrument | | | | IPC. This allowed a pilot to use the IPC as a learning |
| Rating. The new standards went into effect October | | | | tool by agreeing with the instructor to review or |
| 1, 2004. Of particular interest to instrument flight | | | | practice specific tasks on which the pilot may have |
| instructors ( CFIIs') and pilots holding instrument | | | | felt he or she needed additional practice. |
| ratings is a substantial change in the requirements for | | | | Under the revised PTS, all of the designated tasks |
| administering an Instrument Proficiency Check ( IPC). | | | | must now be satisfactorily completed. Although a |
| Prior to October 1, 2004, a CFII had discretion | | | | pilot and instructor can still tailor the IPC to focus on |
| regarding what PTS tasks he or she could require for | | | | tasks needing additional work, the remainder of the |
| an instrument rated pilot to demonstrate instrument | | | | designated tasks will still need to be completed. This |
| proficiency. That discretion allowed a CFII to be | | | | will increase the time required for an IPC and may |
| flexible in order to accommodate/address a pilot's | | | | deter pilots from spending the time and money for |
| strengths/weaknesses, as well as the pilot's aircraft, | | | | additional practice of specific tasks. |
| instrumentation and intended missions. That is, the | | | | Another concern is the requirement that an IPC |
| CFII was allowed to decide what tasks the pilot | | | | candidate must now perform a circling approach. |
| needed to accomplish in order to show the CFII that | | | | Unfortunately, this eliminates the opportunity for an |
| the pilot could competently operate an aircraft solely | | | | IPC candidate to fully complete an IPC using a |
| with reference to the instruments. | | | | computer-based trainer such as an Advanced AD. |
| Although this discretion presented the opportunity for | | | | Although an Advanced AD will still qualify for |
| a CFII to conduct an IPC with minimal demonstration | | | | completion of a majority of the IPC requirements, if |
| of ability by the pilot, most CFIIs required pilots to | | | | it does not have a wide, wrap-around display, a |
| demonstrate sufficient skills and competence to | | | | circling approach will be impossible and this portion of |
| show that they could safely fly in instrument | | | | the IPC will need to either be demonstrated in an |
| meteorological conditions ( IMC). After all, no | | | | aircraft or in a simulator that is equipped for such an |
| responsible CFII wanted to be the last IPC sign-off in | | | | approach. |
| a pilot's logbook if the pilot was later in an accident or | | | | This new requirement also has the potential to |
| incident: Too many questions to answer and potential | | | | increase the cost of an IPC for a pilot. If the pilot |
| liability for the CFII. | | | | does not have access to an appropriate computer |
| However, the revised PTS no longer give the CFII | | | | based trainer, he or she will need to perform a circling |
| discretion in how an IPC is to be conducted or the | | | | approach in an aircraft. |
| tasks to be performed. The current PTS now require | | | | The revised PTS are here and are the standards for |
| completion of specific tasks including holds, unusual | | | | conducting an IPC. Pilots should keep in mind that an |
| attitudes, intercepting nav-aids and dme-arcs, | | | | IPC sign-off received after October 1, 2004 that |
| precision, non-precision and circling approaches, partial- | | | | does not comply with the revised PTS will not be |
| panel and review of instruments and aircraft | | | | valid and may leave the pilot operating without |
| equipment. | | | | instrument currency. Both pilots and their instructors |
| Unfortunately, the removal of the CFII's discretion | | | | should review the revised PTS to fully understand |
| seems to convert what used to be a learning | | | | what tasks are required for an IPC. |
| experience tailored to a pilot and his or her needs | | | | As always, fly safe and fly smart. |
| into what is more closely akin to an actual check-ride. | | | | Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips, |
| Under the prior PTS, a student and instructor could | | | | hints, points to ponder and keep in mind,do please |
| discuss and determine the appropriate and/or | | | | browse for more information at our websites. |
| necessary tasks to ensure that the pilot could | | | | |