COPA Successfully Lobbies TCCA on IFR Testing Requirements

[charv66]

So am I reading this right - if I do 6 approaches under the hood in VMC with someone in the left seat I am current again ?

https://copanational.org/en/2017/12/05/ ... r-20171205

[photofly]

It doesn't matter which seat you're in; it matters that you're the one flying.

I don't see how this is new, or what COPA is claiming credit for.

[ahramin]

My guess is Russ Niles didn't have time to read and understand the Canadian regulations before publishing the article. The changes on IFR testing requirements the title refers to actually appears to be expanded information on IFR currency, nothing to do with testing, and no changes.

Personally I have always found it puzzling that any pilot wanting to fly IFR would have difficulty figuring out the currency requirements. Wouldn't that be an indication that IFR flying is perhaps not a good idea?

[rvdungen]

I think what they are actually celebrating is that TC wanted all IFR tests to be done in an aircraft equipped with an IFR approved GPS installed. They lobbied against that requirement allowing cheap old farts to keep flying IFR on just NDBs and ILS/VOR only equipped planes. I asked COPA what percentage of the active private IFR pilot population are flying around in non-GPS equipped aircraft and if that was a group worth lobbying for. I got crickets for an answer.

[anofly]

There are probably lots of folks, that fly ifr, that dont have an ifr
gps on board.
yes they are likely older, and frugal.
they also probably have a gps on board that is not certified and use it all the time to tell them how far the ndb is, and what their track is to get there. and it helps them a lot , fly the ndb approach.

[Schooner69A]

"...and if that was a group worth lobbying for"

The same might be said of an airport where an individual builds a silo off the end of the runway.

Only inconveniences a few pilots, so what does it matter?

COPA is to represent us all, not just the folks who have deep pockets and can upgrade on a whim...

[CpnCrunch]

I think this also helps every flight school that has a Redbird. The issue with the redbird is that TC doesn't allow you to use the GPS for any part of the IPC, because there are problems with Redbird's simulation of the Garmin 530. They previously got a special dispensation from TC to let people use the Redbird for IPCs using the traditional instruments, but that expires at the end of this year.

[photofly]

I think what they are actually celebrating is that TC wanted all IFR tests to be done in an aircraft equipped with an IFR approved GPS installed.

Where are you reading that TC no longer requires that? My eyes are failing...

[rvdungen]

I think what they are actually celebrating is that TC wanted all IFR tests to be done in an aircraft equipped with an IFR approved GPS installed.

Where are you reading that TC no longer requires that? My eyes are failing...

https://copanational.org/en/2017/11/30/ ... g-changes/

[photofly]

Anything from Transport Canada on the matter?

[PAJ]

I think what they are actually celebrating is that TC wanted all IFR tests to be done in an aircraft equipped with an IFR approved GPS installed.

Where are you reading that TC no longer requires that? My eyes are failing...

https://copanational.org/en/2017/11/30/ ... g-changes/

A bit of thread drift however there have been 2 more articles expanding on the above specifically dealing with recency.

https://copanational.org/en/2017/12/05/ ... irements/

https://copanational.org/en/2017/12/15/ ... r-recency/

[photofly]

OK, I get it now. I think.

This all hinges on the difference between an Instrument Rating flight test, and an Instrument Proficiency Check. There’s no strict written guidance on what equipment you need and what (or even how many) approaches you need to fly for an IPC (“at least two different approaches” says AC401-004) so TC concedes that you don’t need an approach rated GPS installation for the IPC.

IFR initial tests still need GPS.

Is that about it?

[MrWings]

so TC concedes that you don’t need an approach rated GPS installation for the IPC.

IFR initial tests still need GPS.

Is that about it?

Yes, that's it.

COPA lobbied for those owners/renters without an approved GPS and still fly IFR. They don't need to invest $10K-15K for an IFR approved GPS.

Now there are fewer places to fly without such a GPS but it is still allowed.