Instrument Proficiency Check
An Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) is designed for pilots who need to regain their instrument currency after no longer meeting the recent experience requirements. It provides a structured review of the instrument skills and procedures necessary to safely operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
An IPC is more than simply checking off a list of approaches. The review is designed to evaluate your ability to operate in the IFR environment, including your instrument flying skills, navigation, approaches, emergency procedures, and aeronautical decision-making.
When Do I Need an IPC?
Pilots exercising instrument privileges must meet the recent instrument experience requirements of 14 CFR §61.57. If those requirements have not been met for more than six calendar months, an Instrument Proficiency Check is generally required to reestablish instrument currency.
Instrument Currency Expires
Pilots must maintain the required recent instrument experience to continue exercising their instrument privileges.
Six Calendar Months
If the required instrument experience has not been completed for more than six calendar months, the pilot must complete an IPC to reestablish instrument currency, unless another provision of the regulations applies.
Complete the IPC
The pilot demonstrates the required instrument knowledge, risk management, and flight skills to an authorized instructor or evaluator.
What We Evaluate
Instrument Flight
Demonstrate precise aircraft control solely by reference to instruments, including recovery from unusual flight attitudes.
Navigation & Holding
Practice intercepting and tracking navigation systems, flying holds, and managing IFR departure, en route, and arrival procedures.
Instrument Approaches
Demonstrate the ability to fly instrument approaches, including nonprecision and precision approaches, missed approaches, circling approaches, and landing from an instrument approach.
Emergency Operations
Review IFR emergency procedures including loss of communications and loss of primary flight instrument indications.
IPC Requirements
The FAA Instrument Rating Airplane ACS provides the standards used to conduct an IPC. The evaluator should develop a scenario that incorporates as many of the required tasks as practical while evaluating the pilot's aeronautical decision-making and risk management skills.
ATC Clearances & Holding
Demonstrate compliance with ATC clearances and instructions and perform holding procedures.
Flight by Reference to Instruments
Demonstrate accurate instrument flight and recover from unusual flight attitudes while maintaining control of the aircraft.
Navigation Systems
Demonstrate the ability to intercept and track navigational systems and perform IFR departure, en route, and arrival procedures.
Instrument Approach Procedures
Complete the required instrument approach tasks, including nonprecision and precision approaches, a missed approach, a circling approach, and landing from an instrument approach.
Emergency Operations
Demonstrate appropriate procedures for IFR emergencies, including loss of communications and loss of primary flight instrument indications. Additional engine failure tasks apply when conducting the IPC in a multiengine airplane.
Postflight Procedures
Complete the required postflight procedures, including checking the aircraft's instruments and equipment.
Reference: FAA Instrument Rating Airplane ACS and Advisory Circular 61-98E.
What to Expect
Review Your Experience
The check begins with a discussion of your recent instrument experience, the aircraft and avionics you operate, and any areas where a refresher would be helpful.
Instrument Preparation
Before the flight, we review the applicable IFR procedures, aircraft systems, navigation equipment, weather, regulations, and risk management considerations for the scenario.
Complete the IPC
The flight will be conducted as a realistic IFR scenario designed to incorporate the required ACS tasks while allowing us to evaluate your overall instrument proficiency.
Address Any Weak Areas
If additional training is needed in a particular area, we spend the necessary time working on that skill before completing the IPC.
Get Back to IFR Flying
Upon successful completion of the IPC, instrument currency is reestablished and the pilot may resume exercising instrument privileges, subject to the applicable recent experience requirements.