light sport IFR

[Wm.Ince]

. . . "You cannot file IFR and accept and IFR clearance unless you are instrument rated and current. If you and your plane meet the requirements, then by definition, you are able to fly in actual IMC. If you are not able, you can't file and accept a clearance. You could do instrument training without being current or capable of going IMC, but not on an IFR clearance.

Thanks Mover.
That satisfies the curiosity of LSP's "filing IFR" in VFR conditions.

[MovingOn]

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[AJChenMPH]

I never intended to create a s***storm by bumping this thread up, but the information has been very useful...so thanks.

Have you talked about all of this with an experienced CFI?

Or better still, with an experienced CFII?

My CFI is also a CFII. He knows of my interests and desires, but we have not yet had a detailed discussion about this specifically. I think the first course of business is simply to get through the PPL course and pass my checkride!

[MovingOn]

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[MovingOn]

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[Wm.Ince]

. . . " . . . just good discussion. These things serve all of us because we usually end up going back to the FAR's to refresh our memories. It's easy to get confused or forget especially when you get as old as some of us here." . . .

Concur completely.
The hard disk is full.

[Merlinspop]

Like you, I do miss the zen of IFR flying, but not that much, especially when you don't get paid for it!

Not IFR here, just night VFR.

having to do something (be it as a job, or just forced upon you), does tend to take the luster off almost any activity...eventually.

[MovingOn]

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[3Dreaming]

Maybe some people need to read this...a lot of bad info being give out here.



"Code of Federal Regulations


Part 61 CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS
Subpart A--General

Sec. 61.3

Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.


(e) Instrument rating. No person may act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR flight unless that person holds:

(1) The appropriate aircraft category, class, type (if required), and instrument rating on that person's pilot certificate for any airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift being flown;
(2) An airline transport pilot certificate with the appropriate aircraft category, class, and type rating (if required) for the aircraft being flown;

(3) For a glider, a pilot certificate with a glider category rating and an airplane instrument rating; or

(4) For an airship, a commercial pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category rating and airship class rating."


You cannot file IFR and accept an IFR clearance unless you are instrument rated and current. If you and your plane meet the requirements, then by definition, you are able to fly in actual IMC. If you are not able, you can't file and accept a clearance. You could do instrument training without being current or capable of going IMC, but not on an IFR clearance. IFR means "Instrument Flight Rules" and has nothing to do with weather conditions.

61.3 deals specifically with pilot requirements, and not aircraft requirements. I agree with the first part of your statement, "You cannot file IFR and accept an IFR clearance unless you are instrument rated and current." I had to get instrument current right after 9/11 so I could file IFR and fly my VFR pipeline route at tree top height. This was the only way I could do it until they released VFR traffic.

For the aircraft to be able to file IFR it must have the required equipment listed in 91.205, and have all the required inspections. As long as these requirements are met the pilot and aircraft can file IFR and receive a clearance, even if the aircraft is prohibited from flight in IMC conditions. There is nothing in the regulations that state otherwise.

[MovingOn]

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[BrianL99]

Maybe some people need to read this...a lot of bad info being give out here.



"Code of Federal Regulations


Part 61 CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS
Subpart A--General

Sec. 61.3

Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.


(e) Instrument rating. No person may act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR flight unless that person holds:

(1) The appropriate aircraft category, class, type (if required), and instrument rating on that person's pilot certificate for any airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift being flown;
....



You cannot file IFR and accept an IFR clearance unless you are instrument rated and current. If you and your plane meet the requirements, then by definition, you are able to fly in actual IMC. If you are not able, you can't file and accept a clearance. You could do instrument training without being current or capable of going IMC, but not on an IFR clearance. IFR means "Instrument Flight Rules" and has nothing to do with weather conditions.

Your conclusions may be accurate, but i don't see how the quoted section Part 61 applies. That section relates only to "Certifications" and I can't find the word "current" anywhere.

It sounds like most of this discussion centers around the question of "what is IFR"? In other words, are you flying under Instrument Flight Rules when you file IFR (or accept a clearance) or are you flying under Instrument Rules, only when the weather falls below VFR standards.

[MovingOn]

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[MovingOn]

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[BrianL99]

Maybe some people need to read this...a lot of bad info being give out here.



"Code of Federal Regulations


Part 61 CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS
Subpart A--General

Sec. 61.3

Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.


(e) Instrument rating. No person may act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR flight unless that person holds:

(1) The appropriate aircraft category, class, type (if required), and instrument rating on that person's pilot certificate for any airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift being flown;
....



You cannot file IFR and accept an IFR clearance unless you are instrument rated and current. If you and your plane meet the requirements, then by definition, you are able to fly in actual IMC. If you are not able, you can't file and accept a clearance. You could do instrument training without being current or capable of going IMC, but not on an IFR clearance. IFR means "Instrument Flight Rules" and has nothing to do with weather conditions.

Your conclusions may be accurate, but i don't see how the quoted section Part 61 applies. That section relates only to "Certifications" and I can't find the word "current" anywhere.

It sounds like most of this discussion centers around the question of "what is IFR"? In other words, are you flying under Instrument Flight Rules when you file IFR (or accept a clearance) or are you flying under Instrument Rules, only when the weather falls below VFR standards.

Question asked and answered. However, if you disagree, perhaps you should call the FAA and let them tell you. The FAR's clearly spell out the minimum requirements to stay current and the fact you cannot fly IFR if you are not current. If you have an Instrument rating on your Private or Commercial, you should know this. There are a lot more FAR's pertaining to flying IFR than what I posted, as you well know.

I'm hoping before this discussion is over, there will be an answer from a credible source and/or a legitimate citing of the applicable sections of the FAR. Unless I've missed something, I haven't seen either yet.

[CTLSi]

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