Privileges and Limitations

Question 1

What are the privileges of an instrument rating?

Answer 1

Assuming you meet the recent experience requirements, the holder of an instrument rating is authorised to pilot an aircraft:
a) under the IFR; or
b) at night under the VFR.

REF: Part 61.855

Question 2

What are the limitations on exercising the privileges of a valid instrument rating (assuming not 61.040 checking and training system) and what are the extra requirements of the IPCs to meet the different category/type/operation/engine/approach requirements you may need?

Answer 2

1) If operating a helicopter, you must have completed an IPC in a helicopter in the last 12 months (12 month requirement for aircraft ‘category’ i.e. helicopter or airplane);

2) If operating a multi-engine aircraft, you must have completed an IPC in a Multi Engine aircraft in the last 12 months (12 month requirement for Multi Engine);

3) If in an aircraft that has it’s own type rating (applies to most ME helicopters), you must have completed a multi-crew IPC in the last 24 months (24 month requirement for Aircraft Type);

4) If multi-crew operation, you must have completed a multi-crew IPC in the last 24 months (24 month requirement for Multi-Crew);

5) If single-pilot operation, you must have completed a single-pilot IPC in the last 24 months (12 month requirement for Single-Pilot);

6) Can conduct IAPs they have been trained and assessed for (and the aircraft is equipped for) and (also if meet the recent experince requriements), EXCEPT:
a) For a circling approach the most recent IPC must have included a circling approach;
b) For a 3D approach operation the most recent IPC (or OPC condiucted by a FLIGHT EXAMINER covering IFR operations that included a 3D approach).

Question 3

How long is an Instrument Rating Valid for?

What does OMA state about IPCs for each type flown in the company?

Answer 3

Q: How long is an Instrument Rating Valid for?

The holder is said to have a valid IPC for 12 months to the end of the month it was completed.

Note: If completed within 3 months before the expiry date, you can keep the existing expiry as your start date for the 12 months.

As per OMA, Company Pilots will conduct one Instrument Proficiency check per year for each aircraft type or class that is flown.

REF: CASR 61.880, CASR 61.805 2 (e) & OMA 5.2.5.4 – Recency For IFR Flight

Question 4

What are the recent experience on exercising the privileges of an instrument rating?

Answer 4

Can conduct an IFR operation as PIC if (in addition to meeting the IPC requirements above):

1. Completed an PC or OPC (only if conducted by Flight Examiner that covered IFR operations) within the past 3 months with an approved operator on the aircraft category or approved FSTD; or
   OR
2. Completed 3 instrument approaches in the past 90 days in an aircraft or approved FSTD including 1 instrument approach in the same aircraft category or approved FSTD;
   AND
3. Can only perform an instrument approach in the category of aircraft, if within the last 90 days have completed 1 instrument approach in that category of aircraft (or FSTD);
   AND
4. To conduct a 2D or 3D or Azimuth Guidance Operation (NDB or VOR with RMI) or Course Deviation Indicator Operations (VOR, LOC or RNP-LNAV with CDI), have completed a 2D, 3D, Course Deviation Indicator (and Azimuth Guidance Operation) Operation in the past 90 days in an aircraft or approved FSTD;

NOTE: See additional requirements during most recent IPC for 3D approaches and circling approaches.

NOTE: An ARDA or AROA does not count towards Part 61 instrument approach recency.

REF: CASR 61.860 / 61.870 / 61.900

Question 5

Can a pilot do a DME Arrival if he is not endorsed with DGA on their Instrument Rating (or licence) and has never flown that “kind of approach”?

Answer 5

No. An Instrument rating holder must be endorsed for 2D approach operations and been observed as competent by an approved person for a DME/GNSS kind of approach.

REF: CASR 61.860 (5), (6)

Question 6

Can the holder of an instrument rating use a DME without a DGA qualification on that instrument?

Answer 6

Yes, Despite Part 61.865 implying the NAV aid needs to be endorsed (in this case 2D Azimuth) – The holder of an instrument rating may use a DME to: determine position and in conjunction with other NAV aids to conduct an instrument approach, as they must have been checked under the Part 61 MOS (Manual of Operating Standards) to be able to use the DME to provide distance information when flying under the IFR.

REF: Schedule 2 of the Part 61 MOS, Section 3 – Navigation and Instrument flying standards.

Question 7

Can a pilot with an Instrument Rating plan a NVFR flight?

Answer 7

Yes, Initial issue of a Multi-Engine Helicopter Instrument Endorsement requires minimum experience of 10 hr dual instrument time, 5 hours night time including at least 3 hr of dual flight and 1 hr of solo night circuits. This meets the requirements of the Helicopter NVFR Endorsement. (Not to be confused with the requirements for a NVFR Rating.)

Question 8

What happens if you fail a flight test or IPC?

Answer 8

1. The flight test must be terminated when the examiner makes a fail assessment and the applicant must be advised at this point.
2. The pilot is no longer taken to have a valid IPC for the category of aircraft or the multi-engine category in which the pilot failed the check.
3. Passed items may be credited for retest purposes however credits are valid for 28 days only, after which the flight test must be completed in full.
4. Flight test items already assessed will not be re-tested, but items already demonstrated during initial flight and repeated for the purpose of the second flight, will be re-assessed.

REF: flight Examiners Handbook 3.2.2 General principles of flight testing, CASR 61.880