Loggin an Instrument Approach

Aviation General Aviation
1

Every instrument rated pilot knows (or should know) that you must log 6 appr. within 6 months to maintain currency.

If I’m IFR and shoot an instrument appr. to land, but the wx is VMC I will not log the approach. However, if the wx is IMC and I’m shooting it close to minimums I will log it.

My question is: What are the wx minimums for an approach to “count as an approach” in the log book? Conditions IMC or worse?

Obviously if you are training and doing the apporaches under the hood or with foggles it counts as an approach, but what about when you are not using the hood/foggles?

2

It’s in the FARs. If you shoot the approach by reference to instruments, you can log it. Don’t believe weather or a view limiting device factors into it.

3

To add more mud to the waters…

answersforpilots.com/blog/645/lo … approaches

I personally count any that is required based on weather conditions or if I have a safety.

4

We have beat up in the past definition of IMC at discussions.flightaware.com/view … 4258#34258 and where I asked the same question about logging it as an approach (not answered in that thread)

5

I would think the Wx should have no factor, because what if the wx hasn’t necessitated an instrument approach in the past six months??

6

Then you need a safety and a hood would be my thought to log an instrument approach to maintain currency.

For me, ceilings may be 1200 (not IFR) and only way getting down would be an instrument approach so something like this I go ahead and log it as such.

If it’s VFR, like babolatt16 then I wouldn’t log it (I take the visual anyway)

7

I understand entirely. I’m not a pilot, so I try to do all the learning I can here. :slight_smile:

8

Fortunately we are in the same boat as pilot status doesn’t change that learning process

The day I stop learning is the day I am no longer on the top side of where that green grass grows. :smiley:

9

Wow, the FAA is really vague it. I like the “Rule of reason”… if the approach enhanced or maintained your instrument skills log it, if not don’t.

To date I’ve been doing what you do Allen…If I get cleared for an approach when IFR due to weather count it, if not, don’t unless I have a hood and safety.