Friday Morning Flight Plan

Taking the Step Beyond IFR Currency

by Friday Morning Flight Plan at [date]

A pilot using instruments on the ground in a GA airplane

We all know that IFR currency and proficiency aren’t the same thing. A lack of visual horizon combined with a rusty or ineffective instrument scan can spell disaster, regardless of how many approaches you've logged recently.

However, while there's little argument that currency and proficiency are different animals, the steps you take beyond currency to gain proficiency are less apparent.   

Currency requirements are the minimum recurrent training for flying under IFR. The FAA unambiguously outlines the steps to maintain instrument currency in FAR 61.57. You probably know them already, but here's a quick recap.

To maintain instrument currency and have the privileges to act as the Pilot in Command of an aircraft flying according to Instrument Flight Rules, including flights without passengers, you must (within the previous six months):

  • Perform and log six instrument approaches.
  • Execute holding procedures and tasks.
  • Intercept and track courses using navigational electronic systems. 
You don't have to do all six approaches on the same flight. In fact, you'll probably perform better if you space them out like you would on a regular flight. But that doesn't mean you should fall behind on this critical task.

If you fail to complete six approaches within six months and more than six months have elapsed since your initial checkride, then you will need to complete an instrument proficiency check with a CFII to regain instrument privileges.

What more must you do to gain proficiency?
Instrument proficiency is profoundly different than currency. For one, there is no metric in currency for holding altitude or heading. You can be off on both counts so long as you complete the six approaches and other tasks.

Proficiency requires an added layer of effort and dedication. 

Let's make sure you live to tell the tale by devising a plan to stay IFR proficient. Your training needs and goals may diverge from those addressed in the tasks below, but they're an effective place to start and tweak as you go.

  • Practice your instrument scan on a flight simulator when you can’t fly the actual airplane.
  • Dovetail your instrument proficiency into your VFR proficiency. Plan to shoot at least two instrument approaches a month in an aircraft while in VFR or MVFR with an appropriately rated safety pilot.
  • If you can access an ATD, practice sight reading IFR departures and approaches. Randomly pull one out of your approach binder that you've never flown before and sight-read it. Don't pause — just power through it to identify your soft spots.
  • Fly with a CFII every few months in actual IFR conditions. If it has been a while, go on an MVFR day when you are in and out of the clouds. 
  • Whether in a sim or an actual aircraft, strive to meet performance metrics for the certificate you hold (for example, altitude within 20 feet and heading plus or minus 5°).
  • Include recovery from unusual attitudes in your dual lessons with the CFII. Perform these in VFR conditions (you know, just in case).

Log the approaches in your logbook per 61.51 to count toward currency. Proficiency requires a higher standard of training than currency, but there's nothing wrong with killing two birds with one stone.
Topics: IFR Proficiency

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