Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

5 Answers

DME Arcs on IPC

Asked by: 3178 views , , ,
FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating

Is a DME arc required to be performed for an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)?  I know it is not required on the instrument rating checkride per the ACS, but does that also apply to an IPC?

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

5 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Jul 19, 2020

    The individual tasks for an IPC refer directly to the tasks for the checkride. Area V, task A is the one which includes DME arcs, and offers them as one option to complete that task. But by the text of the task, they are not required, neither for a checkride nor an IPC – though they may be included if desired.

    Also, the task is “Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and Arcs” – so by conducting an approach, or even just going direct to an airport, or any other “tracking” thing you’re going to do anyway, that task is complete already.

    Additionally, DME arcs, if tested, must be charted ones – part of a procedure. The instructor/examiner can’t just make them up during a checkride or IPC. Page A-15 of the ACS, at the bottom.

    That said, DME arcs are such a rarely used skill in real instrument flying in most of the U.S., that I do not bother to test on them during an IPC. I’d rather spend my and the applicant’s time evaluating skills they’re actually going to use. I can’t imagine failing someone on an IPC because they didn’t do a DME arc well enough.

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Craig on Jul 19, 2020

    A DME arc is NOT required by the FAA regs (see FAR 61.57(d) below)….if it’s required by whoever is evaluating you during IPC may be another story….

    AC61.98 and the instrument ACS page A12 also give guidance on what maneuvers should be evaluated during an IPC.

    The instrument ACS page A12 lists the following for an IPC…

    VI. Instrument Approach Procedures
    A. Nonprecision Approach
    B. Precision Approach
    C. Missed Approach
    D. Circling Approach
    E. Landing from an Instrument Approach

    FAR 61.57(d)

    (d) Instrument proficiency check. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person 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. The instrument proficiency check must consist of at least the following areas of operation:

    (i) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;

    (ii) Flight by reference to instruments;

    (iii) Navigation systems;

    (iv) Instrument approach procedures;

    (v) Emergency operations; and

    (vi) Postflight procedures.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  3. Mark Kolber on Jul 20, 2020

    An IPC consists of a limited group of instrument ACS tasks. So, to put it very simply, there is no task which is required on an IPC but is not required on a checkride,

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  4. Russ Roslewski on Jul 20, 2020

    Craig, while I agree that a DME arc is not required, your list of IPC items is incomplete, and I wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not.

    The list in the ACS on page A-12 also shows area III, task B (holding), area IV, task B (unusual attitudes), and some others.

    The DME arcs are contained under Area V, task A, which is an IPC task, though that task gives the option of DME arcs.

    Mark, well put, in fewer words than me.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  5. Craig on Jul 20, 2020

    Thought I included it, but I guess I forgot. Thanks Russ.

    IR.V.A.S6 Apply proper correction to maintain a course, allowing no more than ¾-scale deflection of the CDI. If a DME arc is selected, maintain that arc ±1 nautical mile.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.