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4 Answers

Updated 61.51 and IFR currency logging requirements

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Instrument Rating

I’m reading a lot of conjecture regarding the changes to 61.51 and whether or not an instructor is required when logging IFR currency in a simulator. Has this been rescinded or is it still in effect?

If it’s in effect, could I buy an FAA approved BATD and log IFR currency at home without an instructor?

thanks in advance. 

4 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Aug 26, 2018

    The FAA maintains a current set of regulations on its website.

    If you look at 61.51(g)(5), you will see that one can use a simulator, FTD or ATD to maintain instrument currency. It requires that you keep a logbook record of the type of device, the amount of time you spent and what you did.

    61.51(g)(3) also requires that you record the location and type of each instrument approach you do.

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  2. Gregory on Aug 26, 2018

    I would recommend reading the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-12800/p-109

    It appears that the instructor-supervision requirement is slated for removal. The NPRM states that this amendment to § 61.51(g)(4) will become effective 30 days after the final rule is published in the Federal Register. I’ll leave it as an exercise to the reader to translate that into a concrete date on a calendar. 😉

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  3. Kris Kortokrax on Aug 26, 2018

    If you had read the NPRM, you would see that the change to 61.51 took effect July 27, 2018. As I noted, the regulations on the FAA’s website reflect the fact that the change has taken effect.

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  4. Mark Kolber on Sep 03, 2018

    Minor technical correction, Kris. The NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking), which was in 2016, has no effective dates. It’s the Final Rule which contains those.

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