The flight instructor determines whether the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of 14 CFR part 91, especially Subpart B, Flight Rules; Subpart C, Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements; and Subpart E, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations. Additionally, the flight instructor determines that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

Following the discussion of the above subjects, the flight instructor should ask the pilot to prepare for the skill portion of the IPC by completing the necessary flight planning, obtaining current weather data, filing a flight plan, and conducting the preflight inspection. In order to fully evaluate the pilot’s skills under normal operating conditions, the flight instructor may wish to have the pilot conduct a short IFR cross-country flight with at least part of the flight conducted “in the system” under IFR.

The maneuvers and procedures selected for the IPC must include those listed in the Rating Task Table in the Instrument Rating ACS for airplanes (FAA-S-ACS-8), helicopters (FAA-S-ACS-14), or powered-lift (FAA-S-ACS-3), as applicable. The flight instructor conducting the IPC has the discretion to require any other maneuver(s) necessary to determine that the pilot can safely operate under IFR in a broad range of conditions appropriate to the aircraft flown and the ATC environment selected. The flight instructor should emphasize proper adherence to ATC clearances. Regardless of the maneuvers and procedures selected, the flight instructor should ensure that the pilot demonstrates satisfactory basic attitude instrument flying skills. For checks conducted in an aircraft but not under actual instrument weather conditions, the flight instructor should employ an appropriate view-limiting device to simulate instrument conditions. As an aid to the flight instructor, Appendix I contains a sample flight instructor IPC checklist for conducting the IPC.

Upon completion of the proficiency check, the flight instructor may wish to complete the summary and evaluation portion of the checklist and debrief the pilot on the results of the check. Regardless of the determination, the flight instructor should provide the pilot with a comprehensive analysis of their performance, including suggestions for improving any weak areas. FAA-H-8083-9, Aviation Instructor’s Handbook, Chapter 5, The Teaching Process, provides specific suggestions for conducting the postflight evaluation discussion as a “collaborative critique.”

As with the flight review, the flight instructor should not endorse the pilot’s logbook to reflect an unsatisfactory IPC. Rather, the flight instructor should log the session as “dual instruction given.”

The endorsement for a satisfactory proficiency check should be in accordance with AC 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors. You can find a suggested IPC plan of action format in Appendix I. Although not required by § 61.189, the flight instructor may wish to retain this plan of action (job aid) for an appropriate period as a record of the scope and content of the IPC. Additionally, the flight instructor may wish to submit an FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, to the Airmen Certification Branch. When submitted, the Airmen Certification Branch will add the application to the pilot’s record (see paragraph 1.10.2).