FAA proposed change regarding instrument currency

Among other things included in the massive list of changes the FAA is
proposing to Part 61 is a new allowance for utilizing PCATD, FS, and
FTDs in order to accomplish the recency of experience requirements for
IFR flight:


"Under proposed § 61.57(c)(2), a person could use an FS or FTD
exclusively by performing and logging at least 3 hours of instrument
recent flight experience within the 6 calendar months before the date
of the flight.

Under proposed § 61.57(c)(3), a person could use a PCATD exclusively
by having performed and logged at least 3 hours of instrument recent
experience within the 2 calendar months before the date of the flight.
We have deliberately proposed differences between the use of a PCATD
and an FS or FTD because use of a PCATD to maintain instrument recent
experience is a relatively new concept, and the FAA wants to further
evaluate its use before we allow use of PCATDs equal to that of FSs
and FTDs."


I didn't notice at first glance any additional requirements, such as
an instructor needing to be present when using these devices. This to
me certainly would make staying instrument current much easier, as you
could accomplish the requirements at home on a personal computer using
an approved software app. I think Elite is one such approved
application (at least when used in conjunction with an instructor)
right now.

Anybody have any thoughts on this change?

--
Guy

"Guy Elden Jr" wrote...

I didn't notice at first glance any additional requirements, such as
an instructor needing to be present when using these devices. This to
me certainly would make staying instrument current much easier, as you
could accomplish the requirements at home on a personal computer using
an approved software app. I think Elite is one such approved
application (at least when used in conjunction with an instructor)
right now.

Anybody have any thoughts on this change?

--
Guy


I know that OnTop requires things like a radio stack to be plugged in in
order to actually qualify as a PCATD device. If you don't have that and the
other required "accessories" then you can only use it for "Personal Use" -
it won't even start up in PCATD mode without them.

BDS

On Feb 8, 3:00 pm, "BDS" wrote:

I know that OnTop requires things like a radio stack to be plugged in in
order to actually qualify as a PCATD device. If you don't have that and the
other required "accessories" then you can only use it for "Personal Use" -
it won't even start up in PCATD mode without them.

Yes. I think the walk-away cost to have a "loggable" PCATD is north of
$3000. As an example, I think ASA is cheaper than Elite and they want
$3,195 for their setup (http://www.asa2fly.com/category1.asp?
SID=1&Category_ID=15&).

Speaking of ASA, has anyone used their new On Top version 9? I'm sad
to see that the interface still looks like it's 15 years old. The
G1000 is of no interest at the moment but the RealityXP 430 seems
interesting.

Marco

Yes. I think the walk-away cost to have a "loggable" PCATD is north of
$3000. As an example, I think ASA is cheaper than Elite and they want
$3,195 for their setup (http://www.asa2fly.com/category1.asp?
SID=1&Category_ID=15&).

Wow... for that kind of money, I could get a solid 15 hours of
training in my flight school's wrap-around screen flight simulator, or
30 hours in an IFR equipped 172. Assuming an IPC took 2 hours, done
every 6 months, that'll last a good 7 - 15 years. Wouldn't exactly
make me feel safe about being proficient 5 months down the line tho.
(assuming no other instrument training / practice done in the
interim).

--
Guy

BDS wrote:

I know that OnTop requires things like a radio stack to be plugged in in
order to actually qualify as a PCATD device. If you don't have that and the
other required "accessories" then you can only use it for "Personal Use" -
it won't even start up in PCATD mode without them.

BDS


My thoughts exactly. Whatever hardware the FAA will require to meet the
new reg will be far beyond what most of us have at home.

Happy Flying!
Scott Skylane

"Guy Elden Jr" wrote

Wow... for that kind of money, I could get a solid 15 hours of
training in my flight school's wrap-around screen flight simulator, or
30 hours in an IFR equipped 172. Assuming an IPC took 2 hours, done
every 6 months, that'll last a good 7 - 15 years. Wouldn't exactly
make me feel safe about being proficient 5 months down the line tho.
(assuming no other instrument training / practice done in the
interim).

It might be a good deal for a good sized EAA group, (or other group) or a
medium sized FBO or flight school, to get an approved unit, and rent time on
it for instrument currency, thus spreading the costs of purchase and use.

Done in that manner, it seems like there would be a significant cost savings
to the pilot, and an opportunity for an FBO to make a little money, too.
--
Jim in NC

"Guy Elden Jr" wrote

Wow... for that kind of money, I could get a solid 15 hours of
training in my flight school's wrap-around screen flight simulator, or
30 hours in an IFR equipped 172. Assuming an IPC took 2 hours, done
every 6 months, that'll last a good 7 - 15 years. Wouldn't exactly
make me feel safe about being proficient 5 months down the line tho.
(assuming no other instrument training / practice done in the
interim).

It might be a good deal for a good sized EAA group, (or other group) or a
medium sized FBO or flight school, to get an approved unit, and rent time
on
it for instrument currency, thus spreading the costs of purchase and use.

Done in that manner, it seems like there would be a significant cost
savings
to the pilot, and an opportunity for an FBO to make a little money, too.
--
Now, that's a very interesting idea!

Peter

Guy Elden Jr wrote:

I didn't notice at first glance any additional requirements, such as
an instructor needing to be present when using these devices. This to
me certainly would make staying instrument current much easier, as you
could accomplish the requirements at home on a personal computer using
an approved software app. I think Elite is one such approved
application (at least when used in conjunction with an instructor)
right now.

Anybody have any thoughts on this change?

--
Guy


You also need the hardware that goes with the softwa the radio stack
etc. in order for it to qualify as a PCATD. I believe you also need an
instructor present, and it may need the instructor's console connected
as well.

On 8 Feb 2007 11:53:22 -0800, "Guy Elden Jr"
wrote:

Among other things included in the massive list of changes the FAA is
proposing to Part 61 is a new allowance for utilizing PCATD, FS, and
FTDs in order to accomplish the recency of experience requirements for
IFR flight:


"Under proposed § 61.57(c)(2), a person could use an FS or FTD
exclusively by performing and logging at least 3 hours of instrument
recent flight experience within the 6 calendar months before the date
of the flight.

Under proposed § 61.57(c)(3), a person could use a PCATD exclusively
by having performed and logged at least 3 hours of instrument recent
experience within the 2 calendar months before the date of the flight.
We have deliberately proposed differences between the use of a PCATD
and an FS or FTD because use of a PCATD to maintain instrument recent
experience is a relatively new concept, and the FAA wants to further
evaluate its use before we allow use of PCATDs equal to that of FSs
and FTDs."


I didn't notice at first glance any additional requirements, such as
an instructor needing to be present when using these devices. This to
me certainly would make staying instrument current much easier, as you
could accomplish the requirements at home on a personal computer using
an approved software app. I think Elite is one such approved
application (at least when used in conjunction with an instructor)
right now.

Anybody have any thoughts on this change?

I believe both Elite and On-Top are approved, but only for student
training with an instructor present. Unless they changed the rules
neither is of any *official* help once you have the rating.


Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

On Thu, 08 Feb 2007 13:16:23 -0900, Scott Skylane
wrote:

BDS wrote:

I know that OnTop requires things like a radio stack to be plugged in in
order to actually qualify as a PCATD device. If you don't have that and the
other required "accessories" then you can only use it for "Personal Use" -
it won't even start up in PCATD mode without them.

BDS


My thoughts exactly. Whatever hardware the FAA will require to meet the
new reg will be far beyond what most of us have at home.

For what that simulated stack costs I could fly a *lot* of hours in a
high performance, complex, retract.


Happy Flying!
Scott Skylane
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com