C J Campbell wrote:
There is just about a month before the new instrument rating PTS takes
effect on October 1. This is a major re-write with standards for GPS and
autopilot coupled approaches (now required if the aircraft is equipped),
guidelines for partial panel approaches in aircraft with glass cockpits, and
mandatory items to be covered during an instrument proficiency check. Many
old requirements have been eliminated: steep turns, stalls, unusual attitude
recoveries, etc.

Unusual attitude recoveries have not been eliminated. They remain in
the 4D instrument rating PTS, area of operation IV, task B.

Also, while stalls and steep turns, as specific tasks, *have* been
eliminated from the PTS, read this statement on page 14:

"Emphasis on Attitude Instrument Flying and Emergency Instrument Procedures

The FAA is concerned about numerous fatal aircraft accidents involving
spatial disorientation of instrument-rated pilots who have attempted to
control and maneuver their aircraft in clouds with inoperative primary
flight instruments (gyroscopic heading and/or attitude indicators) or
loss of the primary electronic flight instruments display. ***AREA OF
OPERATION IV requires the evaluation of basic instrument flight
maneuvers under both full-panel and references to backup primary flight
instruments/electronic flight instrument displays. These maneuvers are
described in detail in FAA-H-8083-15, Instrument Flying Handbook.***
Examiners should determine that the applicant demonstrates competency in
either the PRIMARY and SUPPORTING or the CONTROL and PERFORMACE[sic]
CONCEPT method of instrument flying. Either attitude instrument flying
method is described in FAA-H-8083-15 and is recommended by the FAA
because it requires specific knowledge and interpretation of each
individual instrument during training. The FAA has stressed that it is
imperative for instrument pilots to acquire and maintain adequate
instrument skills and that they be capable of performing instrument
flight with the use of the backup systems installed in the aircraft.
Many light aircraft operated in IMC are not equipped with dual,
independent, gyroscopic heading and/or attitude indicators and in many
cases are equipped with only a single-vacuum source. Technically
advanced aircraft may be equipped with backup flight instruments or an
additional electronic flight display that is not located directly in
front of the pilot."

Now I don't claim to know, but since stalls and steep turns are
described in H-8083-15, I wonder if some examiners and inspectors would
take that to mean they're still fair game under IV.A.

If you are a CFII or instrument student you should be getting up to speed on
this new PTS now.

Indubitably!

-Ryan
ATP, CFI (airplanes, helicopters)