Instrument Proficiency Check

Task list from the Instrument Rating: Practical Test Standards

Steve Sconfienza, Ph.D.

Airline Transport Pilot

Flight Instructor: Airplane Single and Multiengine; Instrument Airplane

cell: 518.366.3957

e-mail: docsteve@localnet.com

Title 14 CFR, Part 61, Section 61.57(d), sets forth the requirements for an instrument proficiency check. The person giving that check shall use the standards and procedures contained in this PTS when administering the check. A representative number of TASKS, as determined by the examiner/instructor, must be selected to assure the competence of the applicant to operate in the IFR environment. As a minimum, the applicant must demonstrate the ability to perform the TASKS as listed below. The person giving the check should develop a scenario that incorporates as many required tasks as practical to assess the pilot’s ADM and risk management skills during the IPC. (Ref.: Instrument Rating: Practical Test Standards, p. 1-vii.)

For the following list, tasks not required of the IPC are omitted; after each task is the page reference from the PTS from where the information has been obtained.

III. Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures

IV. Flight by Reference to Instruments

V. Navigation Systems

VI. Instrument Approach Procedures

Note:

* TASK D, Circling Approach, is applicable only to the airplane category.

Note:

The requirements for conducting a GPS approach for the purpose of this test are explained on page 8 of the Introduction to the PTS, the pertinent sections of which follow:

Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test

The instrument rating applicant is required by 14 CFR part 61 to provide an airworthy, certificated aircraft for use during the practical test. It s operating limitations must not prohibit the TASKS required on te practical test. Flight instruments are those required for controlling the aircraft without outside references. The required radio equipment is that which is necessary for communications with air traffic control (ATC), and for the performance of two of the following nonprecision approaches

and one precision approach:

GPS equipment must be instrument flight rules (IFR) certified and contain the current databaes.

Note: A localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approach with a decision atitude (DA) greater than 300 feet height above terrain (HAT) may be used as a nonprecision approach; however, due to the precision of its glidepath and localizer-like lateral navigation characteristics, an LPV can be used to demonstrate precision approach proficiency (AOA VI TASK B) if the DA is equal to or less than 300 feet HAT.

. . . . . . . . . .

If the practical test is conducted in the aircraft, and the aircraft has an operable and properly installed GPS, the examiner will require and the applicant must demonstrate GPS approach proficiency. If the applicant has contracted for training in an approved course that includes GP S training in the system that is installed in the airplane/simulator/FTD and the airplane/simulator/FTD used for the checking/testing has the same system properly installed and operable, the applicant must demonstrate GPS approach proficiency.

VII. Emergency Operations

Note:

TASKS B and C are applicable only to multiengine airplanes.

VIII. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES