Can You Log That?

Within the IFR community, there has been much confusion over how and when to log instrument approaches. The FAA extended that confusion to logging approaches in a simulator as we wrote in the December issue, Need a Sim Instructor?

Fred Simonds

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's InFO 15012 clarifies the specific conditions required for legally logging instrument approaches, whether for general proficiency or for practical tests and IPCs.
To log an approach, pilots must operate solely by instruments and be established on all required segments (initial, intermediate, and final) down to minimums.
Approaches flown in actual IMC can be logged if the aircraft transitions from IMC to VMC within the final approach segment before or upon reaching minimums, or if a missed approach is performed at the MAP.
Logging approaches performed in a simulator (ATD/FTD) for currency requires observation and sign-off by an authorized CFII, and exclusive ATD use for currency is limited to two months with additional specific maneuvers required.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Letters of Authorization for ATDs have approved their use to meet 61.57(c) for instrument currency. However, unlike in an airplane where you fly it and log it, 61.51(g) requires an authorized instructor to observe and to sign off.