Instrument Proficiency Check, IPC (14 CFR § 61.57)
The IPC, Instrument Proficiency Check is mandatory if the privileges of the IR qualification are lost due to a lack of recent experience. (Reminder: The experience required to fly IFR is: at least six instrument approaches, holding procedures and intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems.)
14 CFR § 61.57 (d) does not indicate a duration for this check. However 1 h 30 on the ground and 1 h 30 in flight seem essential for proper evaluation of the skills. A simulator session could help reactivate knowledge and practice.
The ground part will address:
- Weather, and personal minimums;
- Performance of the aircraft;
- Alternatives in case of equipment failure;
- Required runway length (dry, wet), slots, and fuel requirements;
- Risk management (PAVE, pilot, aircraft, environment and external pressures);
- For the planned flight, taxi and departure, en-route, arrival, approach, missed approach and alternate airports.
The flying part, which is navigation, is a check of:
- Proficiency in IFR flight;
- Flight management and operation of avionics;
- Decision making;
- With at least a precision approach, a non-precision approach full panel, a non-precision approach partial panel.
Post-flight discussion:
- It's an important part of the IPC. We will discuss health and fitness for flight, encouragement to take a forward step in IFR skills, differences between American and European regulations.
- The 'endorsement' given by the instructor allows to fly under IFR flight plan again.
