FAA instrument proficiency check (IPC): when you need one
Checked against the sources below on 29 October 2026. How these guides are written
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You need an instrument proficiency check (IPC) once you have been out of FAA instrument currency for more than six calendar months: 61.57(d) says you "may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check". Inside those six months, six approaches, holding and intercepting and tracking still restore it. The IPC covers the ACS task table (holding, unusual attitudes, tracking, every approach task, partial panel), and an examiner, a CFII or an approved company check pilot gives it in an aircraft or approved device.
- When it is required
- Out of 61.57(c) instrument currency for more than six calendar months
- After the 6-month catch-up period
- 61.57(d)(1)
- What it covers
- ACS areas of operation for the rating held; airplane: III.B, IV.B, V.A, all of VI, VII.B-D, VIII
- Each check
- 61.57(d)(1); FAA-S-ACS-8C
- Where
- An aircraft of the category, or a full flight simulator or FTD representative of it
- Each check
- 61.57(d)(2)
- Who
- Examiner, authorized instructor, approved company check pilot (both employees), Armed Forces examiner, or person approved for instrument practical tests
- Each check
- 61.57(d)(3)
- Training devices
- AATD for most tasks per its LOA; circling, landing and multiengine tasks in an aircraft or Level B-D FFS; no BATD
- Each check
- FAA-S-ACS-8C Appendix 1
- Endorsement
- "...has satisfactorily completed the instrument proficiency check of 14 CFR § 61.57(d)..."
- Each check
- AC 61-65K A.71
When you need an IPC, and when you can still catch up
61.57(c) keeps you current for IFR when, "within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight", you logged six instrument approaches, holding procedures and tasks, and intercepting and tracking courses. 61.57(d)(1) then says a pilot "who has failed to meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for more than six calendar months may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check."
Worked through: your last approaches, holding and tracking were in March 2026, so you are current for IFR through 30 September 2026. From 1 October you may not act as PIC under IFR or in weather below VFR minimums, but you can catch up with a safety pilot or in a device that 61.57(c)(2) allows, up to the end of March 2027. From April 2027 fresh approaches no longer restore currency and only an IPC does.
If you fly for a Part 121 or 135 operator, 61.57(e)(2) and (3) say this section does not apply while you fly for that certificate holder and comply with 121.436 and 121.439, or 135.243 and 135.247. In your own aircraft on a day off, 61.57(c) and (d) apply to you like any other pilot.
What the IPC covers
61.57(d)(1) says the check "must include the areas of operation contained in the applicable Airman Certification Standards ... as appropriate to the rating held." For airplanes that is FAA-S-ACS-8C, whose IPC table lists Holding Procedures (III.B), Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes (IV.B), Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs (V.A), all of Instrument Approach Procedures (VI: non-precision, precision, missed, circling and landing from an approach), Emergency Operations tasks B to D (VII: the two one-engine-inoperative tasks apply to multiengine checks only, plus the approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators) and Postflight Procedures (VIII). The ACS asks the person giving the check to build a scenario that covers as many tasks as practical.
AC 61-98E chapter 5 describes the ground part: Part 91 subparts B, C and E, chart interpretation including RNAV and GPS procedures, weather, NOTAMs, alternates, aircraft systems, ATC procedures and angle of attack. The instructor may add any manoeuvre needed to judge whether you can operate safely under IFR. Helicopter and powered-lift pilots use FAA-S-ACS-14 and FAA-S-ACS-3.
Who can give an IPC
61.57(d)(3) lists five people: an examiner; a person authorized by the U.S. Armed Forces, when you are a member; "a company check pilot who is authorized to conduct instrument flight tests under part 121, 125, or 135" or Part 91 subpart K, when both of you are employees of that operator; an authorized instructor; or a person approved to conduct instrument practical tests.
For instructors, AC 61-98E 5.1.1 says the instructor "must hold an instrument rating on their pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate that is appropriate to the category and class of aircraft used for the IPC". In practice that means a CFII; for a check in a twin, the AC's example needs multiengine and instrument ratings on both the pilot and the flight instructor certificate.
Can you do an IPC in a simulator
How much of the check a device can carry depends on the device. 61.57(d)(2) allows an aircraft of the right category or, other than for gliders, "a full flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category". AC 61-98E 5.1.2 adds that a Part 60 simulator or FTD needs an IPC checking program approved under 61.4.
For aviation training devices the ACS is specific: an advanced ATD (AATD) "can be utilized for the majority of the IPC as specified in the Letter of Authorization issued for the device. However, the circling approach, the landing Task, and the multiengine airplane Tasks must be accomplished in an aircraft or FFS (Level B, C, or D). A Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) cannot be used for any part of the IPC." Read the device's LOA before you book.
Logging the IPC, and an unsatisfactory one
The instructor endorses your logbook with AC 61-65K A.71: "I certify that [First name, MI, Last name], [grade of pilot certificate], [certificate number], has satisfactorily completed the instrument proficiency check of 14 CFR § 61.57(d) in a [M/M] aircraft on [date]." You log the flight, the approaches, holding and tracking as usual. Filing an FAA Form 8710-1 afterwards is optional (AC 61-98E 1.10.2).
If the check does not go well, the instructor "should not endorse the pilot's logbook to reflect an unsatisfactory IPC" and logs the session as dual instruction given (AC 61-98E 5.4.1). You train again with the instructor until the standard is met. If you needed the IPC to regain currency, you stay off IFR as PIC until the endorsement is signed.
Mistakes pilots make
- Thinking an IPC is due every six months. It is only needed after you have been out of 61.57(c) currency for more than six calendar months; logging approaches, holding and tracking keeps you clear of it.
- Flying six approaches with a safety pilot after the catch-up window has closed and calling yourself current. Once 61.57(d) applies, only an IPC restores currency.
- Booking the whole IPC in an AATD. The circling approach, the landing task and the multiengine tasks need an aircraft or a Level B to D full flight simulator, and a BATD counts for none of it.
- Asking a CFI without an instrument instructor rating for the right class to give the check. AC 61-98E 5.1.1 wants the instrument rating on both certificates.
- Leaving holding or tracking off the IPC because the ACS scenario ran long. Holding (III.B) and intercepting and tracking (V.A) are required tasks.
What Off Chocks tracks
- Off Chocks counts 61.57(c) by calendar month from your logged approaches, holds and course tracking, shows the catch-up period after you lapse, and switches to needs IPC once that period ends.
- Enter the IPC in Credentials under Checks & Tests; its date clears the needs IPC state, and Off Chocks treats it as current for six calendar months from that date, the same window an approach series gives.
- An IPC entered under another authority's name, such as a CASA IPC, never clears the FAA 61.57(d) state.
Common questions
- How long is an IPC good for?
- 61.57(d) has no expiry date for the IPC itself. It re-establishes currency, which you then keep under 61.57(c) by logging six approaches, holding and intercepting and tracking in each six calendar month window.
- Can a CFII give an IPC?
- Yes. 61.57(d)(3)(iv) lists an authorized instructor, and AC 61-98E 5.1.1 says that instructor should hold an instrument rating on both the pilot and flight instructor certificates for the category and class used.
- Can I do an IPC in a home simulator?
- No. 61.57(d)(2) needs an aircraft, or a full flight simulator or flight training device, and the ACS allows an FAA-approved AATD only for the tasks its Letter of Authorization covers. A BATD cannot be used for any part.
- Does an IPC count as a flight review?
- Not on its own when a CFII gives it, since 61.56(d)(1) names examiners, approved check airmen and the U.S. Armed Forces. The instructor can combine the two in one session under 61.56(h) and sign both endorsements.
- How many approaches are in an IPC?
- The ACS sets tasks, not a count: a non-precision approach, a precision approach, a missed approach, a circling approach and a landing from an approach, plus the approach with loss of primary flight instrument indicators.
Sources
- 14 CFR 61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command (eCFR, up to date as of 27 Oct 2026)
- FAA-S-ACS-8C Instrument Rating Airplane ACS, Instrument Proficiency Check table (FAA)
- AC 61-98E chapter 5, Instrument Proficiency Check (FAA, 30 Oct 2024)
- AC 61-65K endorsement A.71 (FAA, 14 Nov 2025)
- 14 CFR 61.56 Flight review (eCFR)
This is a plain-words summary to help you keep your own records, not legal advice. The regulation and your operator's procedures always take precedence.