473 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 135.297 

6th calendar month before that service, 
that pilot has passed an instrument 
proficiency check under this section 
administered by the Administrator or 
an authorized check pilot. 

(b) No pilot may use any type of pre-

cision instrument approach procedure 
under IFR unless, since the beginning 
of the 6th calendar month before that 
use, the pilot satisfactorily dem-
onstrated that type of approach proce-
dure. No pilot may use any type of non-
precision approach procedure under 
IFR unless, since the beginning of the 
6th calendar month before that use, the 
pilot has satisfactorily demonstrated 
either that type of approach procedure 
or any other two different types of non-
precision approach procedures. The in-
strument approach procedure or proce-
dures must include at least one 
straight-in approach, one circling ap-
proach, and one missed approach. Each 
type of approach procedure dem-
onstrated must be conducted to pub-
lished minimums for that procedure. 

(c) The instrument proficiency check 

required by paragraph (a) of this sec-
tion consists of an oral or written 
equipment test and a flight check 
under simulated or actual IFR condi-
tions. The equipment test includes 
questions on emergency procedures, en-
gine operation, fuel and lubrication 
systems, power settings, stall speeds, 
best engine-out speed, propeller and su-
percharger operations, and hydraulic, 
mechanical, and electrical systems, as 
appropriate. The flight check includes 
navigation by instruments, recovery 
from simulated emergencies, and 
standard instrument approaches in-
volving navigational facilities which 
that pilot is to be authorized to use. 
Each pilot taking the instrument pro-
ficiency check must show that stand-
ard of competence required by 
§ 135.293(e). 

(1) The instrument proficiency check 

must— 

(i) For a pilot in command of an air-

plane under § 135.243(a), include the pro-
cedures and maneuvers for an airline 
transport pilot certificate in the par-
ticular type of airplane, if appropriate; 
and 

(ii) For a pilot in command of an air-

plane or helicopter under § 135.243(c), 
include the procedures and maneuvers 

for a commercial pilot certificate with 
an instrument rating and, if required, 
for the appropriate type rating. 

(2) The instrument proficiency check 

must be given by an authorized check 
airman or by the Administrator. 

(d) If the pilot in command is as-

signed to pilot only one type of air-
craft, that pilot must take the instru-
ment proficiency check required by 
paragraph (a) of this section in that 
type of aircraft. 

(e) If the pilot in command is as-

signed to pilot more than one type of 
aircraft, that pilot must take the in-
strument proficiency check required by 
paragraph (a) of this section in each 
type of aircraft to which that pilot is 
assigned, in rotation, but not more 
than one flight check during each pe-
riod described in paragraph (a) of this 
section. 

(f) If the pilot in command is as-

signed to pilot both single-engine and 
multiengine aircraft, that pilot must 
initially take the instrument pro-
ficiency check required by paragraph 
(a) of this section in a multiengine air-
craft, and each succeeding check alter-
nately in single-engine and multien-
gine aircraft, but not more than one 
flight check during each period de-
scribed in paragraph (a) of this section. 
Portions of a required flight check may 
be given in an aircraft simulator or 
other appropriate training device, if 
approved by the Administrator. 

(g) If the pilot in command is author-

ized to use an autopilot system in place 
of a second in command, that pilot 
must show, during the required instru-
ment proficiency check, that the pilot 
is able (without a second in command) 
both with and without using the auto-
pilot to— 

(1) Conduct instrument operations 

competently; and 

(2) Properly conduct air-ground com-

munications and comply with complex 
air traffic control instructions. 

(3) Each pilot taking the autopilot 

check must show that, while using the 
autopilot, the airplane can be operated 
as proficiently as it would be if a sec-
ond in command were present to han-
dle air-ground communications and air 
traffic control instructions. The auto-
pilot check need only be demonstrated 
once every 12 calendar months during 

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