Instrument rating and proficiency (Poll)

[201er]

I thought we had a discussion about this but maybe it was long ago so I guess it can't hurt to bring it up again. But I want to know not only if you are instrument rated or not, but how current, capable, and proficient you are. Folks who aren't instrument rated, how would you describe your instrument confidence?

 

Anyone not instrument rated remain so intentionally?

[Hank]

Hmmm, I don't have an accurate choice.

• Instrument rated
• capable
• mostly proficient but with a little rust
• 1-month out of currency [will remedy this week or next]

This is the first time I've let legal currency slip.

[Mooneymite]

Whew!

After this week in the NE, everyone should be current! What a mess.

[RJBrown]

Currency for me consistency of IPC yearly and a flight 6 months later with the CFII to remain current. Proficient is a much tougher question with an ever moving target. If I wake up with a head cold 2 days after my IPC am I proficient. I think "proficient" is a preflight question. For example: This morning when I preflighted in California I was proficient. Fourteen hours later waiting out the weather in Biloxi not so much.

[danb35]

I'm with Hank--I'm not current, but believe I'm reasonably proficient.

[201er]

Generally I'd say I doubt you're proficient if you aren't current but I can think of a couple cases where it is possible. If you haven't flown a single approach in six months, you'd be nuts to consider yourself proficient. On the other hand if your currency lapsed but you flew 3 approaches yesterday and 2 more a few days prior... although not current, probably a lot more proficient than someone who flew 6 approaches 5 months ago.

[DrBill]

I do 3 approaches and holds every 3 months and it seems to work out real well.  I vary the airport to get some different approaches as well as use ILS and GPS to keep up with the skill of setting up the radios.

Right now I'm good til the end of July but will go for 3 more after my plane comes out of annual so I'm really good for my OSHKOSH trip.

BILL

[Marauder]

Don't bother me! I'm counting. Where did I leave off? Oh, 4, 5, 6 -- What am I counting you ask? No, not approaches. I'm counting the number of polls 201er has started in the last week -- I'm current!

[NotarPilot]

I'm taking advantage of the June Gloom in Southern California.  I think I've done 3 or 4 IAPs in the last month.  My ultimate goal will be to do 1-2 a month later on throughout the year when I don't have this weather to take advantage of.

[dcrogers11]

Okay, this poll isn't nearly as much fun as the "pottie in the sky" poll, but a good subject for me none the less as I've started working on my IR last year.  I went with the old fashion method of starting with my CFII and flying when I had the time to devote to it.  Well with business booming and little time to devote to classes and flying, I gave up on that approach.  I'm now scheduled for a 10 day course in October where I've blocked out my days to devote to 100% getting it done.  With 14 hours of hood time already, it may go quicker than the 10 days, but not counting on it. 

 

Don 

[201er]

It looks like a good number of you guys maintain instrument currency and proficiency. I wonder what your personal definition of proficient is? I voted instrument current but not proficient. This doesn't mean I think I'd get in an accident by jumping in and flying instruments but without a little more recent practice, I don't feel I'd be on top of my game like I would be if I had some more recent IFR flights. Last time I flew in the clouds was a bit over 2 weeks ago, last actual approach was a month ago and two simulated. 2 more simulated 2 months ago.

 

So although I am current and probably safe, I can already feel the rust come on and have to think harder about what I'd need to do. Without a little practice, I'm not sure if I could pass the instrument checkride right now.

[fantom]

I wonder what your personal definition of proficient is?

 

Oh no, not yet another poll

[danb35]

Had an IPC this morning, so now I've voted for the first option. Great day to be flying here!

[BorealOne]

Proficient in my book is 2 approaches per month to minimums in actual. Anything less I feel rusty.

[N1026F]

Does anyone else suspect 201er is a spambot gathering "innocent" information for "who knows?" Remember, you only have a "reasonable expectation of privacy..." And the definition of "reasonable" expands and contracts with context (and the balance on the SCOTUS). As for me, I only fly in IMC when I am proficient in every manner, I'm current, mentally and physically sharp, the plane is IFR current (don't forget the 30 day rqmt. on the VOR(s) and currency on the GPS databases)  and all of my documentation is ready for a ramp check. 

[Stefanovm]

Hmmm, I don't have an accurate choice.

• Instrument rated
• capable
• mostly proficient but with a little rust
• 1-month out of currency [will remedy this week or next]

This is the first time I've let legal currency slip.

I have same problem.

I am rated,

I fly every flight as if it were an instrument flight, so feel proficient,

I am not current per the regulations, so cannot file.

 

Today, mostly VFR at least for my course and altitudes, ATC seemed to have been giving me preference. I can only attribute that to following their flight following instructions exactly as if I was IFR and IMC. Maybe preference was because I was a Mooney ;-)?