Did your instrument currency expire? This Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) guide can help you re-establish it.
You can also use the extensive resources in this guide to develop personal training plans and set minimums that will help you improve proficiency and safety.
Please reach out to one of our flight instructors if you have any questions, or to schedule your IPC.
Ask about using our Green Castle Advanced Aviation Training Device (GC AATD) to accomplish the majority of your IPC at a fraction of the cost!
You can also use the extensive resources in this guide to develop personal training plans and set minimums that will help you improve proficiency and safety.
Please reach out to one of our flight instructors if you have any questions, or to schedule your IPC.
Ask about using our Green Castle Advanced Aviation Training Device (GC AATD) to accomplish the majority of your IPC at a fraction of the cost!
§ 61.57(d) Instrument Proficiency Check [LINK]
This guide contains the recommended steps to accomplish a thorough IPC and is based on AC 61-98E, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check and FAA-S-ACS-8C, Instrument Rating - Airplane Airman Certification Standards.
Please note that our instructors operate independently and tailor each flight review to the unique requirements and emphasis areas of each pilot.
This guide contains the recommended steps to accomplish a thorough IPC and is based on AC 61-98E, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check and FAA-S-ACS-8C, Instrument Rating - Airplane Airman Certification Standards.
Please note that our instructors operate independently and tailor each flight review to the unique requirements and emphasis areas of each pilot.
It is recommended to structure the flight portion of an IPC as an out-and-back IFR cross-country (XC), with one leg focused on XC procedures (including missed approach and diversion procedures) and the other leg focused on airwork (aircraft control).
~ AC 61-98E, Appendix I
~ AC 61-98E, Appendix I
There are 5 parts, or steps to an effective IPC:
- STEP 1: Preparation
- STEP 2: Ground Review
- STEP 3: Flight Activities
- STEP 4: Post-Flight Discussion
- STEP 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance & Improvement Plan
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PREPARATION
The IPC is designed to reestablish instrument currency. It must include the Areas of Operation and Tasks contained in the Instrument Rating - Airplane ACS. Additionally, the pilot's ADM and risk management skills will be assessed throughout the IPC. Completing this section will help your CFI develop a plan of action to best help you meet these IPC training goals.
The IPC is designed to reestablish instrument currency. It must include the Areas of Operation and Tasks contained in the Instrument Rating - Airplane ACS. Additionally, the pilot's ADM and risk management skills will be assessed throughout the IPC. Completing this section will help your CFI develop a plan of action to best help you meet these IPC training goals.
- Complete the "Pilot's Instrument Experience Summary" Form
- Review Assignment: FAASafety.gov WINGS - IPC Preparation Course (ALC-38 "Instrument Proficiency Check Review Guide")
- Plan an IFR Cross-Country (paper or digital; include considerations for weather, weight & balance, performance charts, fuel, alternates, runway lengths, and terrain avoidance)
| Pilot's Instrument Experience Summary Form |
GROUND REVIEW
AC 61-98 states that the knowledge portion of the IPC should include a thorough review of FAR Part 91 and the AIM in a way that allows the CFI to determine that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of the planning and procedures required to safely operate in the IFR system. This section offers guidance on conducting that review.
AC 61-98 states that the knowledge portion of the IPC should include a thorough review of FAR Part 91 and the AIM in a way that allows the CFI to determine that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of the planning and procedures required to safely operate in the IFR system. This section offers guidance on conducting that review.
- FAR Part 91 & AIM Regulatory Review (IPC)
- Cross-Country Flight Plan Review [CHECKLIST]
- Risk Management & Personal Minimums (see files below)
| FAR Part 91 & AIM Regulatory Review (IPC) |
| Cross-Country Checklist (IPC) |
| Risk Mgt - Personal Wx Mins |
| Risk Mgt - Personal PAVE Mins |
| Risk Mgt - King Schools - Personal Mins |
FLIGHT ACTIVITIES
AC 61-98 states that the maneuvers and procedures selected for the IPC must include those listed in the Rating Task Table from the Instrument Rating - Airplane ACS. Additionally, your CFI has the discretion to require any other maneuver(s) necessary to determine that you can safely operate under IFR in a broad range of conditions appropriate to the aircraft flown and the ATC environment selected. Regardless of the maneuvers and procedures selected, you must demonstrate satisfactory basic attitude instrument flying and ADM skills throughout the IPC.
AC 61-98 states that the maneuvers and procedures selected for the IPC must include those listed in the Rating Task Table from the Instrument Rating - Airplane ACS. Additionally, your CFI has the discretion to require any other maneuver(s) necessary to determine that you can safely operate under IFR in a broad range of conditions appropriate to the aircraft flown and the ATC environment selected. Regardless of the maneuvers and procedures selected, you must demonstrate satisfactory basic attitude instrument flying and ADM skills throughout the IPC.
| Checklist - IPC Flight Activities |
| 3-P Risk Management ADM |
POST-FLIGHT DISCUSSION
Following each flight of an IPC, regardless of the determination of successful completion, your CFI should conduct a collaborative critique and comprehensive analysis of your performance, including suggestions for improving any weak areas. The following is one way to structure a collaborative post-flight discussion.
Following each flight of an IPC, regardless of the determination of successful completion, your CFI should conduct a collaborative critique and comprehensive analysis of your performance, including suggestions for improving any weak areas. The following is one way to structure a collaborative post-flight discussion.
- Replay, Reconstruct, Reflect, Redirect
- Replay: Verbally replay the flight. Listen for areas where your perceptions differ from your CFI's, and explore why they don’t match. This approach gives you a chance to validate your own perceptions, and it gives your CFI critical insight into your ADM abilities.
- Reconstruct: The reconstruct stage encourages you to learn by identifying the “would’a could’a should’a” elements of the flight – that is, the key things that you would have, could have, or should have done differently.
- Reflect: Insights come from investing perceptions and experiences with meaning, which in turn requires reflection on these events. For example:
- What was the most important thing you learned today?
- What part of the session was easiest for you? What part was hardest?
- Did anything make you uncomfortable? If so, when did it occur?
- How would you assess your performance and your decisions?
- Did you perform in accordance with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS)?
- Redirect: The final step is to help you relate lessons learned in this flight to other experiences, and consider how they might help in future flights. (see "2. Questions" below)
- Questions (from "Redirect" stage above)
- How does this experience relate to previous flights?
- What might you do to mitigate a similar risk in a future flight?
- Which aspects of this experience might apply to future flights, and how?
- What personal minimums should you establish, and what additional proficiency flying and training might be useful?
AERONAUTICAL HEALTH MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT PLAN
If you do not satisfactorily complete the IPC, you and your CFI should use the ACS as the objective standard to discuss areas needing improvement, as well as areas where you performed well. Next, build a practical course of action with your CFI – ground training, flight training, or both – to help you get back up to standards. If possible, schedule the next session before you leave the airport. If your performance on both ground and flight portions was satisfactory, your CFI will provide the appropriate endorsement in your logbook. However, consider one final step in your instrument proficiency process and develop a personalized aeronautical health maintenance and improvement plan with your CFI. Such a plan should include consideration of the elements in this section.
If you do not satisfactorily complete the IPC, you and your CFI should use the ACS as the objective standard to discuss areas needing improvement, as well as areas where you performed well. Next, build a practical course of action with your CFI – ground training, flight training, or both – to help you get back up to standards. If possible, schedule the next session before you leave the airport. If your performance on both ground and flight portions was satisfactory, your CFI will provide the appropriate endorsement in your logbook. However, consider one final step in your instrument proficiency process and develop a personalized aeronautical health maintenance and improvement plan with your CFI. Such a plan should include consideration of the elements in this section.
- Personal Minimums Checklist (see files in STEP 2)
- Instrument Proficiency Plan
- Resources List
| Instrument Proficiency Plan |
| Resources |
Download & print the full guide & checklist here:
| AC 61-98E Currency Requirements & Guidance |
| FAA-S-ACS-8C Instrument Rating - Airplane ACS |
| IPC Guide and Checklist |
