jackg@sri-unix (08/31/82)
Here is another vague point in the FARs. For IFR operations, the pilot in command must have had at least six hours of instrument time and six instrument approaches within the last six months. For the purpose of this regulation, what constitutes an instrument approach? Must the entire approach from the initial approach fix to the missed approach point be flown solely by reference to instruments? One pilot I know logs an instrument approach whenever an approach flown on an instrument flight plan cannot be completed under total VFR conditions. I sometimes fly practice NDB approaches over a local radio station tower with a hood and safety pilot in VFR conditions. I count these toward my currency requirements. Should I? Jack Gjovaag Tek Labs Tektronix
Mary.Shaw@CMU-10A@sri-unix (09/03/82)
True, FAR 61.57 requires merely "instrument approaches", rather than "instrument approaches to published minimums" -- but think about it. The purpose of the regulation is to keep pilots proficient; real approaches are flown in three dimensions, sometimes to minima. When you file an instrument flight plan, you are implicitly agreeing that you can fly whatever procedures you need to. It isn't unusual to find that "legal" is not identically "safe" under the FARS. In this case, "safe" surely requires that those practice approaches be flown to minimums. Mary Shaw