Par 4-1 Page 13 CHAPTER 4. INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY CHECK
4-1. STRUCTURING AN INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY CHECK (IPC).
Section 61.57(d) outlines the conditions which require an IPC. This chapter provides guidance on the conduct of the IPC. In addition, the CFI may wish to use the FAA’s optional online guidance document available at www.faa.gov (see “Instrument Proficiency Check Guidance”), to structure, conduct, and document the IPC. The appendices contain some of the material from the optional IPC guidance document.
a. Instructor Requirements to Conduct an IPC. The CFI should possess an instrument rating on their flight instructor certificate. The CFI should also possess an instrument rating and meet currency requirements on their pilot certificate. The basis for these are found in §§ 61.193(g) and 61.195(d) (6). For example, a comprehensive IPC in a multiengine airplane includes demonstration of engine-out procedures, which requires a CFI who holds both multiengine and instrument ratings on his or her pilot certificate.
NOTE: In addition to having the appropriate instructor ratings, the CFI should consider other factors relating to his or her ability to conduct an IPC.
These include the factors discussed for the flight review as well as the instructor’s own instrument currency.
b. Conducting an IPC. A CFI may conduct part or all of the IPC in an approved ground trainer or level-3-or-below FTD that meets 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. Pilots or CFIs contemplating use of such a device for an IPC should contact their local FSDO. Guidance on the applicability of specific devices to particular tasks is located in the current edition of FAA-S-8081-4, Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards, appendix 2, and the specific device approval document.
NOTE: In order to receive flight training credit in FTDs qualified by the NSPM at levels 4 or above, or full flight simulators, such devices must be used pursuant to a curriculum approved under part 121, 135, or 142.
c. Precheck Considerations. The CFI should structure an IPC in a manner similar to that of the flight review, tailoring the check to the needs of the pilot with mutual agreement on the scope of the check and a plan of action for accomplishing it.
(1) The CFI and pilot should discuss the operating conditions under which the CFI will conduct the check. If the CFI conducts the check in an airplane, the check may be under visual flight rules (VFR) or IFR in simulated instrument conditions, or it may be under IFR in actual instrument conditions. If the CFI conducts the check under IFR, whether conditions are simulated or actual, the CFI should ensure that the aircraft meets all part 91 requirements for operating under IFR. Additionally, if the pilot receiving the check is no longer current under IFR, the CFI should be aware that he or she must act as PIC during the flight and must meet IFR currency requirements. In general, the FAA prefers an instrument proficiency check given under VFR conditions. Conducting the review under VFR will effectively allow the instructor to add variety to the check and to simulate possible emergency conditions. However, if the CFI
Page 14 Par 4-1 conducts the check under VFR conditions, it is the CFI’s responsibility to constantly remain vigilant to other aircraft throughout all phases of the flight.
(2) The Pilot’s Instrument Experience Summary in Appendix 6 is available to help the CFI structure an appropriate ground review for the IPC. A table in FAA-S-8081-4 lists the maneuvers required for successful completion of the IPC.
(3) As with the flight review, the CFI should develop a plan of action that uses realistic scenarios to organize and sequence the required tasks and maneuvers. Appendix 8 contains a sample plan for conducting the proficiency check. The CFI should also discuss crewmember roles and responsibilities with the pilot.
4-2. IPC-KNOWLEDGE PORTION.
a. Determining the Pilot’s Knowledge. The CFI should determine that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of part 91, especially subpart B, Flight Rules; subpart C, Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements; and subpart E, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations. Additionally, the CFI should determine that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:
(1) Instrument en route and approach chart interpretation, including Standard Instrument Departures (SID), Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP), Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR), and Area Navigation (RNAV)/Global Positioning System (GPS)/wide area augmentation system (WAAS) procedures.
(2) Obtaining and analyzing weather information, including knowledge of hazardous weather phenomena such as icing and convective activity.
(3) Preflight planning, including aircraft performance, Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) information (including temporary flight restrictions (TFR)), fuel requirements, alternate requirements, and use of appropriate FAA publications such as the Airport/Facility Directory.
(4) Aircraft systems related to IFR operations, including appropriate operating methods, limitations, and emergency procedures due to equipment failure.
(5) Aircraft flight instruments and navigation equipment, including characteristics, limitations, operating techniques and emergency procedures due to malfunction or failure, such as lost communications procedures.
(6) Determining the airworthiness of the aircraft for instrument flight, including required inspections and documents.
(7) Air traffic control (ATC) procedures pertinent to flight under IFR with emphasis on elements of ATC clearances and pilot/controller responsibilities.
b. Evaluation of the Pilot’s Skills. Following the discussion of the above subjects, the CFI should ask the pilot to prepare for the skill portion of the IPC by completing the necessary flight planning, obtaining current weather data, filing a flight plan, and conducting the preflight
Par 4-2 Page 15 (and 16) inspection. In order to fully evaluate the pilot’s skills under normal operating conditions, the CFI may wish to have the pilot conduct a short IFR cross-country flight with at least part of the flight conducted “in the system” under IFR.
4-3. IPC-SKILL PORTION. The maneuvers and procedures selected for the IPC must include those listed in Rating Task Table in FAA-S-8081-4. The CFI conducting the IPC has the discretion to require any other maneuver(s) necessary to determine that the pilot can safely operate under IFR in a broad range of conditions appropriate to the aircraft flown and the ATC environment selected. However, in any case, the CFI should pay particular attention to those areas within the PTS identified as “Special Emphasis.” The CFI should emphasize proper adherence to ATC clearances. Regardless of the maneuvers and procedures selected, the CFI should ensure that the pilot demonstrates satisfactory basic attitude instrument flying skills. For checks conducted in an airplane but not under actual instrument weather conditions, the CFI should employ an appropriate view-limiting device to simulate instrument conditions. As an aid to the CFI, Appendix 8 contains a sample CFI IPC checklist for conducting the IPC.
4-4. POST-IPC CONSIDERATIONS AND RECORDKEEPING. Upon completion of the proficiency check, the CFI may wish to complete the summary and evaluation portion of the checklist (if used) and debrief the pilot on the results of the check (satisfactory or unsatisfactory).
Regardless of the determination, the CFI should provide the pilot with a comprehensive analysis of his or her performance, including suggestions for improving any weak areas. Chapter 5 of FAA-H-8083-9 provides specific suggestions for conducting the postflight evaluation discussion as a “collaborative critique.”
a. Unsatisfactory Performance. As with the flight review, the CFI should not endorse the pilot’s logbook to reflect an unsatisfactory IPC. Rather, the CFI should log the session as “dual instruction given.”
b. Satisfactory Performance. The endorsement for a satisfactory proficiency check should be in accordance with AC 61-65. If the CFI uses the sample plan and checklist in Appendix 8, then he or she may wish to retain the plan as a record of the scope and content of the competency check, even though not required by § 61.189.
Appendix 1 Page 1 (and 2) APPENDIX 1. SAMPLE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR’S FLIGHT
REVIEW CHECKLIST Step 1: Preflight Review Actions Scheduling Pilot’s aeronautical history 14 CFR part 91 review assignment Cross-country flight plan assignment Step 2: Ground Discussion Regulatory review Cross-country flight plan review Risk management (RM) and personal minimums Step 3: Conducting the Flight Physical aircraft (basic skills) Mental aircraft (systems knowledge) Aeronautical decisionmaking Step 4: Postflight Discussion Replay, reflect, reconstruct, redirect Questions Step 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance and Improvement Plan Personal minimums checklist Personal proficiency practice plan Training plan (if desired) Resources list Sample Pilot’s Aeronautical History for Flight Review Pilot: ___________________________________________ Certificated flight instructor (CFI):____________________ Address: ________________________________________ Phone(s): ________________________________________ e-mail: __________________________________________ Pilot Certificate(s):
Private_________Commercial _______________________ Air transport pilot (ATP) ___________________________ Flight Instructor __________________________________ Ratings (not necessarily inclusive):
Instrument___Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL)____Multiengine Land (MEL)_____ Lighter-than-air (LTA)_____ Rotorcraft ___(etc.)
Experience (pilot):
Total time_______Last 6 months _________ Average hours/month __________________ Time Since last flight review ____________ Since last instrument proficiency check (IPC) _______________________________ Experience (aircraft):
Aircraft type(s) you fly _________________ Aircraft used most often ________________ Total time _________Last 6 months______ Average hours/month __________________ Experience (flight environment):
Since your last flight review, approximately how many hours have you logged in:
Day visual flight rules (VFR) ____________ ____________________________________ Day instrument flight rules (IFR) _________ ____________________________________ Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) ____________________________________ Night VFR_________Night IFR _________ Mountainous/Overwater ________________ Towered________Non-Towered _________ Type of Flying (external factors):
What percentage of your flying is for:
Pleasure_____Business______Local______ Cross country ______ Personal Skills Assessment:
Strengths as a pilot? ___________________ ____________________________________ Areas for improvement? ________________ ____________________________________ Aviation goals? _______________________ ____________________________________
Appendix 2 APPENDIX 2. REGULATORY REVIEW GUIDE Pilot Experience. Recent flight experience (14 CFR part 61, § 61.57).
Responsibility:
• Authority (14 CFR part 91 § 91.3).
• Flightcrew members at station (§ 91.105).
• Preflight action (§ 91.103).
• Safety belts (§ 91.107).
• Air traffic control (ATC) instructions (§ 91.123).
Cautions:
• Careless or reckless operation (§ 91.13).
• Dropping objects (§ 91.15).
• Alcohol or drugs (§ 91.17).
• Supplemental oxygen (§ 91.211).
• Fitness for flight (Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) (chapter 8, section 1)).
Aircraft Airworthiness:
• Basic (§ 91.7).
• Flight manual, markings, and placards (§ 91.9).
• Certifications required (§ 91.203).
• Instrument and equipment requirements (§ 91.205).
• Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) (§ 91.207).
• Position lights (§ 91.209).
• Inoperative instruments and equipment (§ 91.213).
• Transponder requirements (§ 91.215).
Maintenance:
• Responsibility (§ 91.403).
• Maintenance required (§ 91.405).
• Operation after maintenance (§ 91.407).
• Maintenance records (§ 91.417).
Inspections:
• Annual, Airworthiness Directives (AD), 100 hours (§ 91.409).
• Altimeter and pitot static system (§ 91.411).
• Very high frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) check (§ 91.171).
• Transponder (§ 91.413).
Appendix 2
• ELT (§ 91.207).
Environment Airports:
• Markings (AIM (chapter 2, section 3)).
• Operations (AIM (chapter 4, section 3); §§ 91.125 and 91.126).
• Traffic Patterns (§ 91.126).
Airspace:
• Altimeter Settings (AIM (chapter 7, section 2); § 91.121).
• Minimum Safe Altitudes (§§ 91.119 and 91.177).
• Cruising Altitudes (AIM (chapter 3, section 1, paragraph 3-1-5);
§§ 91.159 and 91.179).
• Speed Limits (§ 91.117).
• Right of Way (§ 91.113).
• Formation (§ 91.111).
• Types of Airspace (AIM (chapter 3)).
• Controlled Airspace (AIM (chapter 3, section 2); §§ 91.129, 91.130,
91.131, and 91.135).
• Class G Airspace (AIM (chapter 3, section 3).
• Special Use (AIM (chapter 3, section 4); §§ 91.133, 91.137, 91.141.
91.143, and 91.145).
• Emergency Air Traffic Rules (AIM (chapter 5, section 6); § 91.139).
Air Traffic Control & Procedures:
• Services (AIM (chapter 4, section 1)).
• Radio Communications (AIM (chapter 4, section 2); Pilot/Controller Glossary).
• Clearances (AIM (chapter 4, section 4)).
• Procedures (AIM (chapter 5)).
Weather:
• Meteorology (AIM (chapter 7, section 1)).
• Wake Turbulence (AIM (chapter 7, section 3)).
External Pressures Personal Minimums Checklist.
Risk management (RM) (3-P model).
Practical test standards (PTS) Special Emphasis Items.
Appendix 3 Page 1 (and 2) APPENDIX 3. SAMPLE PILOT’S PERSONAL AERONAUTICAL GOALS Pilot’s Name:__________________________CFI:____________________________ Date:_____________________________Review Date:_________________________ Training Goals _________Certificate Level (Private, Commercial, air transport pilot (ATP)) _________Ratings (Instrument, Multiengine Land (MEL), Airplane Single Engine Sea (ASES), Airplane Multiengine Sea (AMES), Rotorcraft, Glider, etc.)
_________Endorsements (high performance, complex, tailwheel, high altitude, etc.)
_________Phase in Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS) _________Instructor Qualifications (certificated flight instructor (CFI), CFI – instrument (CFII), Multiengine Instructor, advanced ground instructor (AGI), instrument ground instructor (IGI)) Other: ________________________________________________________________________ Proficiency Goals _________Lower personal minimums to:
__________ Ceiling __________ Visibility __________ Winds __________ Precision approach minimums __________ Non-precision approach minimums _________Fly at least:
__________ Times per month __________ Hours per month __________ Hours per year __________ Cross-country flights per year __________ Night hours per month _________Make a cross-country trip to:
_____________________________ Other: ________________________________________________________________________ Aeronautical Training Plan _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________
Appendix 4 Page 1 (and 2) APPENDIX 4. SAMPLE AIRPLANE PILOT’S PROFICIENCY PRACTICE PLAN Pilot’s Name:__________________________CFI:_______________________________ Date:___________________________Review Date:_____________________________ Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Profile – Every 4-6 Weeks:
1. Preflight (include 3-P risk management process (RMP)) (refer to Appendix 9, Resources, paragraph 5). Normal taxi, takeoff, departure to practice area.
CHAPS (before each maneuver):
• Clear the area.
• Heading established and noted.
• Altitude established (at least 3,000 above ground level (AGL)).
• Position near a suitable emergency landing area.
• Set power and aircraft configuration.
1. Steep turns (both directions), altitude within 100 feet and airspeed within 10 knots.
2. Power-off stalls (approach to landing) and recovery.
3. Power-on stalls (takeoff/departure) and recovery.
4. Ground reference maneuvers (600’ to 1000’ AGL).
5. Pattern practice:
• Normal landing (full flaps).
• Short-field takeoff and landing over a 50 feet obstacle.
• Soft-field takeoff and landing.
1. Secure the aircraft.
2. Review your performance.
3. Schedule next proficiency flight.