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advisory circular

AC 61-98E Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check

AC No: 61-98E Version 10/30/24
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Chapter Appendix I

Sample Flight Instructor's Instrument Proficiency Check Checklist

Appendix I. Sample Flight Instructor’s Instrument Proficiency Check Checklist

SIDE 1

References

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 61, § 61.57(d)—Instrument Proficiency Check.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who has failed to meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) for more than six calendar months may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check. The instrument proficiency check must consist of the areas of operation and instrument tasks required in the instrument rating airman certification standards.

(2) The instrument proficiency check must be—

(i) In an aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category; or
(ii) For other than a glider, in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category.

(3) The instrument proficiency check must be given by—

(i) An examiner;
(ii) A person authorized by the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct instrument flight tests, provided the person being tested is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces;
(iii) A company check pilot who is authorized to conduct instrument flight tests under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter or subpart K of part 91 of this chapter, and provided that both the check pilot and the pilot being tested are employees of that operator or fractional ownership program manager, as applicable;
(iv) An authorized instructor; or
(v) A person approved by the Administrator to conduct instrument rating practical tests.

Advisory Circular (AC) 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors

Completion of an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC): § 61.57(d).

I certify that [First name, MI, Last name], [grade of pilot certificate], [certificate number], has satisfactorily completed the instrument proficiency check of § 61.57(d) in a [M/M] aircraft on [date].
/s/ [date] J. J. Jones 987654321CFI RE Date 12-31-24

Checklist for IPC

Step 1: Preparation
  • Set Expectations for Pilot Under Review
  • Regulatory Review
  • Cross-Country Flight Plan Assignment
Step 2: Ground Review
  • FAA Aviation English Language Standard (AELS) Requirement
  • Preflight
  • Taxi, Takeoff, Departure
  • En Route
  • Arrival and Approach
  • Missed Approach
Step 3: Flight Activities
  • Aircraft Control by Reference to Flight Instruments
  • Systems and Procedures
  • Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
  • Stabilized Approaches and Landing
Step 4: Postflight Discussion
  • Replay, Reflect, Reconstruction, Redirect
  • Questions
Step 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance and Improvement Plan
  • Personal Minimums Worksheet
  • Personal Proficiency Practice Plan
  • Training Plan (if desired)
For aviation safety information and online resources, visit www.faasafety.gov.

NOTE 1: No logbook entry reflecting unsatisfactory performance on an instrument proficiency check of an IPC is required.

NOTE 2: Endorsements must be legible and include the instructor’s signature, date of signature, certificated flight instructor (CFI) or certificated ground instructor certificate number, and flight instructor recent experience (RE) end date or certificate expiration date, if applicable.

SIDE 2

PILOT:

  • Recentcy of Experience (§ 61.57)
  • Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Responsibilities and Authority (14 CFR part 91, § 91.3)
  • Preflight Actions (§ 91.103)
  • Medical Facts for Pilots (Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) chapter 8)

AIRCRAFT:

  • Fuel Requirements (§ 91.167)
  • Equipment Check (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR)) (§ 91.171)
  • Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Two-Way Radio Communications Failure (§ 91.185)
  • Malfunction Reports (§ 91.187)
  • Required Instruments and Equipment (§ 91.205)
  • Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) (§ 91.207)
  • Aircraft Lights (§ 91.209)
  • Inoperative Instruments and Equipment (§ 91.213)
  • Altimeter and Pitot-Static System Tests (§ 91.411)
  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) Transponder Tests (§ 91.413)

ENVIRONMENT:

  • ATC Instructions (§ 91.123)
  • IFR Flight Plan (§ 91.169)
  • ATC Clearance and Flight Plan (§ 91.173)
  • Takeoff (TO) and Landing (LDG) in IFR (§ 91.175)
  • Minimum IFR Altitudes (§ 91.177)
  • IFR Cruising Altitudes (§ 91.179)
  • Course to be Flown (§ 91.181)
  • IFR Two-Way Communications (§ 91.183)
  • Navigation Aids (AIM chapter 1)
  • ATC (AIM chapter 4)
  • Air Traffic Procedures (AIM chapter 5)

EXTERNAL PRESSURE:

  • IFR Two-Way Radio Communications Failure (§ 91.185)
  • Emergency Procedures (AIM chapter 6)
  • National Security and Interception Procedures (AIM chapter 5, section 6)
Suggested Flight Activities
Note: Structure the flight portion 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). Suggested activities include:
AREA OF OPERATION
Preflight Preparation
  • Weather Information
  • Cross-Country Planning
Preflight Procedures
  • Aircraft Systems Related to IFR Operations
  • Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment
  • Instrument Cockpit Check
ATC Clearances and Procedures
  • ATC Clearances
  • Compliance with Departure, En Route, and Arrival Procedures and Clearances
  • Holding Procedures
  • Flight by Reference to Instruments
  • Basic Instrument Flight Maneuvers
  • Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
Navigation Systems
  • Intercepting/Tracking Navigational Systems and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Ares
Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP)
  • Nonprecision Approach (NPA)
  • Precision Approach (PA)
  • Missed Approach
  • Circling Approach
  • Landing from a Straight-in or Circling Approach
Emergency Operations
  • Loss of Communications
  • One Engine Inoperative During Straight and Level Flight and Turns (Multiengine Airplane)
  • One Engine Inoperative—Instrument Approach (Multiengine Airplane)
  • Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators
  • Automation Failure: Failure of Autopilot and Avionics
Postflight Procedures
  • Checking Instruments and Equipment