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