Instrument Check

Thinking about getting your instrument proficiency check? Or just want to brush up on your scan, skills and know-how? Either way, Orient Flight School can help you sharpen the most important aviating skill you have, your ability to fly on instruments. In the process, you’ll learn how to deal with difficult IFR situations and get the most utility out of your rating, while avoiding the pitfalls for unsuspecting pilots.

With our experienced instructors, you'll get invaluable tips about when to be especially suspicious about the weather, the smart way to pick your IFR alternate airport, and hints every pilot can use for that tricky transition when the runway pops into view after a tight approach.

And with lots of airports just a few minutes away, Orient Flight School provides a great opportunity for pilots to get experience in a multitude of precision, non-precision and GPS instrument approach environments.

Common IFR Review Questions

If you’re going to be flying in actual instrument conditions or under IFR, 14 CFR Part 61 requires you to hold an instrument rating to act as Pilot-In-Command. 14 CFR Part 91 also requires the airplane to be instrument qualified.

When do I need to fly under IFR?

You must fly under IFR whenever the weather is below the minimum for VFR flight (IMC). If you plan to fly in controlled airspace (Class A, B, C, D, or E) under IFR, you must file a flight plan and obtain an ATC clearance before entering the controlled airspace.

No flight plan or clearance is required for IFR flight in uncontrolled airspace (Class G), but you must follow the Instrument Flight Rules. IFR flight is mandatory in Class A airspace (also called positive control airspace).

What type of recent instrument flight experience must I have?

In addition to the rating, you must maintain a minimum level of recent instrument flight experience to act as pilot in command under IFR or in IMC. To be current, you must have performed and logged, within the previous six months, instrument experience in the following areas:

How do I document my instrument experience?

Your instrument experience must be obtained in the same category of aircraft (i.e. airplane, rotorcraft, etc.) for which the instrument privileges are sought, or in a flight simulator or flight
training device (approved ground trainer).

If an aircraft is used to obtain the above experience, then the time must be logged as ACTUAL or
SIMULATED instrument conditions. You can log instrument time only that flight time during which you control the airplane solely by reference to the flight instruments

When flying under simulated instrument conditions, a safety pilot must occupy the other control seat. The safety pilot must have at least a private pilot certificate and be appropriately rated for the class and category of the aircraft.

Each logbook entry indicating instrument time must show the place and type of instrument approach made and, if logged as simulated instrument time, must include the name of the
safety pilot.

When will I need an Instrument Proficiency Check?

If you allow your instrument currency to lapse, you have an additional six calendar months in which to meet the currency requirements. During this six month grace period you may not act as PIC on an IFR flight.

If you fail to meet the currency requirements, you must pass an instrument proficiency check
given by an FAA examiner, FAA inspector, or an Instrument Flight Instructor.

A flight test for an instrument rating or a proficiency check meets the currency requirements to fly as PIC under IFR for a period of six calendar months, regardless of the hours you logged during the test or flight check.

What knowledge areas should I study?

During your Instrument Proficiency Check we will review the following subject areas with you to ensure a solid understanding of the information:

What type of instrument flying skills will I be tested on?

Our goal is to make sure you can safely operate your airplane under IFR in a broad range of conditions appropriate to your airplane and the ATC environment. We’ll start by having you plan a typical IFR cross-country. During the flight we will review the following maneuvers:

In Summary

When you finish your Instrument Proficiency Check with Orient Flight School, you will understand that flying single-pilot IFR is not about physical skill. It is about workload management—and that means using your time wisely.

You will learn to organize your cockpit resources to reduce your workload so that you have time to manage the big picture. When you have mastered your Instrument Proficiency Check, you will be rewarded with a deeply satisfying experience—flying single-pilot IFR competently and safely.

So call now, (786) 309-2359 and we’ll get you on the flight schedule.