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2 Answers

Private on IFR Flight Plan

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FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Instrument Rating, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Can a Private file and execute an IFR flight plan while training for IR?

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2 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Dec 14, 2012

    I’m not sure what you mean by “execute.”

    Anyone may file an IFR flight plan, even non-pilots, but the applicable regulations (especially in the case of IFR, you really have to know them because IFR is 10% about flying and 90% about rules and procedures) say that no person may act as pilot in command under IFR without an instrument rating and that an IFR flight plan must include the name and address of the pilot in command.

    So, if by “execute” you mean be the person named as PIC in the filed IFR flight plan, open the flight plan, get the clearance and fly it, no. That’s why, typically, in training, CFIIS will have their students file IFR but include the CFII’s name as pilot in command.

    But if by “execute” you simply mean open and fly the flight plan that listed the CFII as PIC and with the CFII acting as the pilot in command, absolutely! In fact, it would be hard to get your instrument rating if you couldn’t since one of the training requirements is a training flight under IFR.

    As I said, you have to know the rules but to give you a headstart, check out FAR 61.3(e), 91.169 and 61.65(d).

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  2. Ami Hendel on Dec 26, 2012

    In order to be a PIC on an IFR flight, you have to be instrument rated and current. You could still fly IFR with a CFII and log PIC. Any other time-you are not allowed to do so. You can practice approaches VFR without filling any IFR flight plan.

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