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4 Answers

61.51 (g5) Getting instrument current in a FTD

Asked by: 1862 views , ,
FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, Instrument Rating

I know that you can get instrument current in an FTD but 61.51 (g5) does not state that if you are past that 6 calendar months, do you need a safety pilot just as if you needed that safety pilot in the airplane. If I decide to get current in a FTD and it has been more than 6 calendar months, do I need a safety pilot? 

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4 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Feb 22, 2022

    No.

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  2. Russ Roslewski on Feb 22, 2022

    The only reason you need a safety pilot in the real airplane is because you can’t actually file IFR and go into the clouds (because you’re not current), and you can’t wear a hood in the plane if you’re by yourself (for obvious safety reasons). Ergo, you need a safety pilot.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Feb 22, 2022

    >>Ergo, you need a safety pilot.

    In an FTD?

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  4. Russ Roslewski on Feb 23, 2022

    Hah! Of course not. I was trying to say that the only reason you need a safety pilot in the airplane, doesn’t exist in the sim. So of course you don’t need one in the sim. There’s no other traffic to hit.

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