On 04/24/06 08:36, Chuck wrote:
Talking with a friend yesterday re currency. He said that you can
count approaches made in VMC with out hood. I said no, you need hood
and safety pilot. He said recent change made it ok in VMC without
hood.

Anyone heard of this?

Chuck


Hello, Chuck.

I think your friend is wrong. Have a look at CFR 61.57 (c), wherein
it states:

Instrument experience. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section,
no person may act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions
less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, unless within the preceding 6
calendar months, that person has:

1) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in an aircraft
(other than a glider), performed and logged under actual or simulated
instrument conditions, either in flight in the appropriate category
of aircraft for the instrument privileges sought or in a flight
simulator or flight training device that is representative of the
aircraft category for the instrument privileges sought—

(i) At least six instrument approaches;

(ii) Holding procedures; and

(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation
systems.

There are some exceptions in paragraph (e) which probably don't apply to
you or your friend, but you can look them up to make sure.

Can your friend show you the basis on which he makes this claim?

--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA