Sec. 61.65   Instrument rating requirements.

(a) General. A person who applies for an instrument rating must:
(1) Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with an
airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument
rating sought;
(2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If
the applicant is unable to meet any of these requirements due to a medical
condition, the Administrator may place such operating limitations on the
applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the
aircraft;
(3) Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or
accomplish a home-study course of training on the aeronautical knowledge
areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the instrument rating
sought;
(4) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized
instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required
knowledge test;
(5) Receive and log training on the areas of operation of paragraph (c) of
this section from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator,
or flight training device that represents an airplane, helicopter, or
powered-lift appropriate to the instrument rating sought;
(6) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized
instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required
practical test;
(7) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas of
paragraph (b) of this section; however, an applicant is not required to take
another knowledge test when that person already holds an instrument rating;
and
(8) Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation in paragraph
(c) of this section in--
(i) An airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift, appropriate to the rating
sought; or
(ii) A flight simulator or a flight training device appropriate to the
rating sought and approved for the specific maneuver or procedure performed.
If a flight training device is used for the practical test, the instrument
approach procedures conducted in that flight training device are limited to
one precision and one nonprecision approach, provided the flight training
device is approved for the procedure performed.
(b) Aeronautical knowledge. A person who applies for an instrument rating
must have received and logged ground training from an authorized instructor
or accomplished a home-study course on the following aeronautical knowledge
areas that apply to the instrument rating sought:
(1) Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that apply to flight
operations under IFR;
(2) Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in
the "Aeronautical Information Manual;"
(3) Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight
operations;
(4) IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems;
(5) Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts;
(6) Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts and the
elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information and personal
observation of weather conditions;
(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules
and conditions;
(8) Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance;
(9) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
(10) Crew resource management, including crew communication and
coordination.
(c) Flight proficiency. A person who applies for an instrument rating must
receive and log training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, or in
a flight simulator or flight training device, in accordance with paragraph
(e) of this section, that includes the following areas of operation:
(1) Preflight preparation;
(2) Preflight procedures;
(3) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;
(4) Flight by reference to instruments;
(5) Navigation systems;
(6) Instrument approach procedures;
(7) Emergency operations; and
(8) Postflight procedures.
(d) Aeronautical experience. A person who applies for an instrument rating
must have logged the following:
(1) At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of
which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes for an instrument--airplane
rating; and
(2) A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas
of operation of this section, to include--
(i) At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized
instructor in the aircraft category for which the instrument rating is
sought;
(ii) At least 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the
instrument rating sought from an authorized instructor in preparation for the
practical test within the 60 days preceding the date of the test;
(iii) For an instrument--airplane rating, instrument training on cross-
country flight procedures specific to airplanes that includes at least one
cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under IFR, and consists
of--
(A) A distance of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed
routing;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems;
(iv) For an instrument--helicopter rating, instrument training specific to
helicopters on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one
cross-country flight in a helicopter that is performed under IFR, and
consists of--
(A) A distance of at least 100 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed
routing;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems;
and
(v) For an instrument--powered-lift rating, instrument training specific to
a powered-lift on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one
cross-country flight in a powered-lift that is performed under IFR and
consists of--
(A) A distance of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed
routing;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.
(e) Use of flight simulators or flight training devices. If the instrument
training was provided by an authorized instructor in a flight simulator or
flight training device--
(1) A maximum of 30 hours may be performed in that flight simulator or
flight training device if the training was accomplished in accordance with
part 142 of this chapter; or
(2) A maximum of 20 hours may be performed in that flight simulator or
flight training device if the training was not accomplished in accordance
with part 142 of this chapter.

[Amdt. 61-102, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40900, July 30,
1997]
 
 

Sec. 61.67   Category II pilot authorization requirements.

(a) General. A person who applies for a Category II pilot authorization
must hold:
(1) At least a private or commercial pilot certificate with an instrument
rating or an airline transport pilot certificate;
(2) A type rating for the aircraft for which the authorization is sought if
that aircraft requires a type rating; and
(3) A category and class rating for the aircraft for which the
authorization is sought.
(b) Experience requirements. An applicant for a Category II pilot
authorization must have at least--
(1) 50 hours of night flight time as pilot in command.
(2) 75 hours of instrument time under actual or simulated instrument
conditions that may include not more than--
(i) A combination of 25 hours of simulated instrument flight time in a
flight simulator or flight training device; or
(ii) 40 hours of simulated instrument flight time if accomplished in an
approved course conducted by an appropriately rated training center
certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(3) 250 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command.
(c) Practical test requirements. (1) A practical test must be passed by a
person who applies for--
(i) Issuance or renewal of a Category II pilot authorization; and
(ii) The addition of another type aircraft to the applicant's Category II
pilot authorization.
(2) To be eligible for the practical test for an authorization under this
section, an applicant must--
(i) Meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section; and
(ii) If the applicant has not passed a practical test for this
authorization during the 12 calendar months preceding the month of the test,
then that person must--
(A) Meet the requirements of Sec. 61.57(c); and
(B) Have performed at least six ILS approaches during the 6 calendar months
preceding the month of the test, of which at least three of the approaches
must have been conducted without the use of an approach coupler.
(3) The approaches specified in paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(B) of this section--
(i) Must be conducted under actual or simulated instrument flight
conditions;
(ii) Must be conducted to the decision height for the ILS approach
in the type aircraft in which the practical test is to be conducted;
(iii) Need not be conducted to the decision height authorized for Category
II operations;
(iv) Must be conducted to the decision height authorized for Category II
operations only if conducted in a flight simulator or flight training device;
and
(v) Must be accomplished in an aircraft of the same category and class, and
type, as applicable, as the aircraft in which the practical test is to be
conducted or in a flight simulator that--
(A) Represents an aircraft of the same category and class, and type, as
applicable, as the aircraft in which the authorization is sought; and
(B) Is used in accordance with an approved course conducted by a training
center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(4) The flight time acquired in meeting the requirements of paragraph
(c)(2)(ii)(B) of this section may be used to meet the requirements of
paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.
(d) Practical test procedures. The practical test consists of an oral
increment and a flight increment.
(1) Oral increment. In the oral increment of the practical test an
applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the following:
(i) Required landing distance;
(ii) Recognition of the decision height;
(iii) Missed approach procedures and techniques using computed or fixed
attitude guidance displays;
(iv) Use and limitations of RVR;
(v) Use of visual clues, their availability or limitations, and altitude at
which they are normally discernible at reduced RVR readings;
(vi) Procedures and techniques related to transition from nonvisual to
visual flight during a final approach under reduced RVR;
(vii) Effects of vertical and horizontal windshear;
(viii) Characteristics and limitations of the ILS and runway lighting
system;
(ix) Characteristics and limitations of the flight director system, auto
approach coupler (including split axis type if equipped), auto throttle
system (if equipped), and other required Category II equipment;
(x) Assigned duties of the second in command during Category II approaches,
unless the aircraft for which authorization is sought does not require a
second in command; and
(xi) Instrument and equipment failure warning systems.
(2) Flight increment. The following requirements apply to the flight
increment of the practical test:
(i) The flight increment must be conducted in an aircraft of the same
category, class, and type, as applicable, as the aircraft in which the
authorization is sought or in a flight simulator that--
(A) Represents an aircraft of the same category and class, and type, as
applicable, as the aircraft in which the authorization is sought; and
(B) Is used in accordance with an approved course conducted by a training
center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(ii) The flight increment must consist of at least two ILS approaches to
100 feet AGL including at least one landing and one missed approach.
(iii) All approaches performed during the flight increment must be made
with the use of an approved flight control guidance system, except if an
approved auto approach coupler is installed, at least one approach must be
hand flown using flight director commands.
(iv) If a multiengine airplane with the performance capability to execute a
missed approach with one engine inoperative is used for the practical test,
the flight increment must include the performance of one missed approach with
an engine, which shall be the most critical engine, if applicable, set at
idle or zero thrust before reaching the middle marker.
(v) If a multiengine flight simulator or multiengine flight training
device is used for the practical test, the applicant must execute a missed
approach with the most critical engine, if applicable, failed.
(vi) For an authorization for an aircraft that requires a type rating, the
practical test must be performed in coordination with a second in command who
holds a type rating in the aircraft in which the authorization is sought.
(vii) Oral questioning may be conducted at any time during a practical
test.

[Amdt. 61-102, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40900, July 30,
1997]
 
 

Sec. 61.68   Category III pilot authorization requirements.

(a) General. A person who applies for a Category III pilot authorization
must hold:
(1) At least a private pilot certificate or commercial pilot certificate
with an instrument rating or an airline transport pilot certificate;
(2) A type rating for the aircraft for which the authorization is sought if
that aircraft requires a type rating; and
(3) A category and class rating for the aircraft for which the
authorization is sought.
(b) Experience requirements. An applicant for a Category III pilot
authorization must have at least--
(1) 50 hours of night flight time as pilot in command.
(2) 75 hours of instrument flight time during actual or simulated
instrument conditions that may include not more than--
(i) A combination of 25 hours of simulated instrument flight time in a
flight simulator or flight training device; or
(ii) 40 hours of simulated instrument flight time if accomplished in an
approved course conducted by an appropriately rated training center
certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(3) 250 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command.
(c) Practical test requirements. (1) A practical test must be passed by a
person who applies for--
(i) Issuance or renewal of a Category III pilot authorization; and
(ii) The addition of another type of aircraft to the applicant's Category
III pilot authorization.
(2) To be eligible for the practical test for an authorization under this
section, an applicant must--
(i) Meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section; and
(ii) If the applicant has not passed a practical test for this
authorization during the 12 calendar months preceding the month of the test,
then that person must--
(A) Meet the requirements of Sec. 61.57(c); and
(B) Have performed at least six ILS approaches during the 6 calendar months
preceding the month of the test, of which at least three of the approaches
must have been conducted without the use of an approach coupler.
(3) The approaches specified in paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(B) of this section--
(i) Must be conducted under actual or simulated instrument flight
conditions;
(ii) Must be conducted to the alert height or decision height for the ILS
approach in the type aircraft in which the practical test is to be conducted;
(iii) Need not be conducted to the decision height authorized for Category
III operations;
(iv) Must be conducted to the alert height or decision height, as
applicable, authorized for Category III operations only if conducted in an
approved flight simulator or approved flight training device; and
(v) Must be accomplished in an aircraft of the same category and class, and
type, as applicable, as the aircraft in which the practical test is to be
conducted or in a flight simulator that--
(A) Represents an aircraft of the same category and class, and type, as
applicable, as the aircraft for which the authorization is sought; and
(B) Is used in accordance with an approved course conducted by a training
center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(4) The flight time acquired in meeting the requirements of paragraph
(c)(2)(ii)(B) of this section may be used to meet the requirements of
paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.
(d) Practical test procedures. The practical test consists of an oral
increment and a flight increment.
(1) Oral increment. In the oral increment of the practical test an
applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the following:
(i) Required landing distance;
(ii) Determination and recognition of the alert height or decision height,
as applicable, including use of a radar altimeter;
(iii) Recognition of and proper reaction to significant failures
encountered prior to and after reaching the alert height or decision height,
as applicable;
(iv) Missed approach procedures and techniques using computed or fixed
attitude guidance displays and expected height loss as they relate to manual
go-around or automatic go-around, and initiation altitude, as applicable;
(v) Use and limitations of RVR, including determination of controlling RVR
and required transmissometers;
(vi) Use, availability, or limitations of visual cues and the altitude at
which they are normally discernible at reduced RVR readings including--
(A) Unexpected deterioration of conditions to less than minimum RVR during
approach, flare, and rollout;
(B) Demonstration of expected visual references with weather at minimum
conditions;
(C) The expected sequence of visual cues during an approach in which
visibility is at or above landing minima; and
(D) Procedures and techniques for making a transition from instrument
reference flight to visual flight during a final approach under reduced RVR.
(vii) Effects of vertical and horizontal windshear;
(viii) Characteristics and limitations of the ILS and runway lighting
system;
(ix) Characteristics and limitations of the flight director system auto
approach coupler (including split axis type if equipped), auto throttle
system (if equipped), and other Category III equipment;
(x) Assigned duties of the second in command during Category III
operations, unless the aircraft for which authorization is sought does not
require a second in command;
(xi) Recognition of the limits of acceptable aircraft position and flight
path tracking during approach, flare, and, if applicable, rollout; and
(xii) Recognition of, and reaction to, airborne or ground system faults or
abnormalities, particularly after passing alert height or decision height, as
applicable.
(2) Flight increment. The following requirements apply to the flight
increment of the practical test--
(i) The flight increment may be conducted in an aircraft of the same
category and class, and type, as applicable, as the aircraft for which the
authorization is sought, or in a flight simulator that--
(A) Represents an aircraft of the same category and class, and type, as
applicable, as the aircraft in which the authorization is sought; and
(B) Is used in accordance with an approved course conducted by a training
center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(ii) The flight increment must consist of at least two ILS approaches to
100 feet AGL, including one landing and one missed approach initiated from a
very low altitude that may result in a touchdown during the go-around
maneuver;
(iii) All approaches performed during the flight increment must be made
with the approved automatic landing system or an equivalent landing system
approved by the Administrator;
(iv) If a multiengine aircraft with the performance capability to execute a
missed approach with one engine inoperative is used for the practical test,
the flight increment must include the performance of one missed approach with
the most critical engine, if applicable, set at idle or zero thrust before
reaching the middle or outer marker;
(v) If a multiengine flight simulator or multiengine flight training
device is used, a missed approach must be executed with an engine, which
shall be the most critical engine, if applicable, failed;
(vi) For an authorization for an aircraft that requires a type rating, the
practical test must be performed in coordination with a second in command who
holds a type rating in the aircraft in which the authorization is sought;
(vii) Oral questioning may be conducted at any time during the practical
test;
(viii) Subject to the limitations of this paragraph, for Category IIIb
operations predicated on the use of a fail-passive rollout control system, at
least one manual rollout using visual reference or a combination of visual
and instrument references must be executed. The maneuver required by this
paragraph shall be initiated by a fail-passive disconnect of the rollout
control system--
(A) After main gear touchdown;
(B) Prior to nose gear touchdown;
(C) In conditions representative of the most adverse lateral touchdown
displacement allowing a safe landing on the runway; and
(D) In weather conditions anticipated in Category IIIb operations.

[Amdt. 61-102, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40900, July 30,
1997]