Blog Elements : IFR Focus

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New Interactive Series: What’s Wrong?

September 23, 2025/by Pilot Workshops

Welcome to “What’s Wrong?“, a new twist on aviation challenge quizzes. “What’s Wrong?” works just like a real flight: You’re in an airplane, flying along and there are clues to a potential problem right there in front of you—but it’s still on you to notice them and take action before it’s too late.

Ask the IFR Expert: When Can You Legally Log an Instrument Approach?

September 19, 2025/by IFR Focus Team

Under 14 CFR §61.57(c), instrument-rated pilots need to log at least six IAPs every six months to stay current and act as PIC under IFR or in weather below VFR mins. But not every approach counts—what matters are the conditions under which you fly it. Based on FAA guidance (InFO 15012), here’s the breakdown on what makes an IAP “loggable.”

New Interactive Series: What’s Wrong?

September 23, 2025/by Pilot Workshops

Ask the IFR Expert: When Can You Legally Log an Instrument Approach?

September 19, 2025/by IFR Focus Team

The Four Ways to Conduct and Log IAPs

You can meet the requirement using:

Actual instrument conditions in an aircraft (flying in real IMC).
Simulated instrument conditions in an aircraft with a view-limiting device (like foggles) and a qualified safety pilot.
FAA-approved simulators or devices: Full Flight Simulator (FFS, Level A-D), Flight Training Device (FTD, Level 4-7), or Aviation Training Device (ATD, with a valid LOA). Be sure to check the LoA for what’s permissable.
A combination of the above, as allowed under §61.57(c)(4) or (5).

Key Conditions for Logging an IAP

To log it, the approach must meet all these criteria (from FAA legal interpretations):

Solely by reference to instruments: Whether in an aircraft or sim, you must fly using instruments only—no peeking outside.
Established on each required segment: Fly the full IAP from the initial approach fix (IAF) or feeder route, through the initial, intermediate, and final approach segments, down to the minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA). (Exception: If radar-vectored to the final approach course or cleared otherwise by ATC, you can start from there.)
IMC (actual or simulated) to MDA/DA: The IMC must persist until you reach the MDA or DA when flying in sims or with foggles; however, if you break out to VMC on the final segment before or at MDA/DA, it’s still loggable as long as you’ve flown a portion of the final approach segment in IMC.
Under actual or simulated instrument conditions: Log actual or simulated instrument time alongside the approach— you can’t log an IAP without it.

Important Notes:

Safety Pilot Requirements: For simulated approaches in an aircraft, your safety pilot needs a current medical, must be rated in the category/class, and sit at the other controls. Log their name too (§§61.3(c), 61.51, 61.57(c), 91.109).
Missed Approach Segment: Not required to log the IAP, but practice it for proficiency!
Deviations for Safety: In simulated flight, if you deviate from the final segment (e.g., to avoid traffic) after passing the final approach fix (FAF), you can still log it.
Vectors and Clearances: Unless vectored or cleared to a specific point, execute the entire published IAP. A safety pilot or instructor can simulate ATC vectors.

Real-World Examples

You’re IFR-cleared for an ILS approach, flying solely by instruments in IMC. You stay established on all segments, pass the FAF, break out to VMC before DA, spot the runway, and land. Loggable? Yes—meets all conditions.
In VFR conditions, you’re under foggles with a CFII simulating ATC vectors to the GPS approach. You stay established through each segment, simulate IMC to MDA, break out, and land. Loggable? Yes—proper sim conditions and safety pilot.
IFR-filed but in VMC, under foggles with a safety pilot. Cleared for a VOR approach, you fly all segments to MDA, then execute a simulated missed and hold. Loggable? Yes—even without landing, as the missed segment isn’t required.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

New Interactive Series: What’s Wrong?

Ask the IFR Expert: When Can You Legally Log an Instrument Approach?

New Interactive Series: What’s Wrong?

Ask the IFR Expert: When Can You Legally Log an Instrument Approach?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

New Interactive Series: What’s Wrong?

Ask the IFR Expert: When Can You Legally Log an Instrument Approach?

The Four Ways to Conduct and Log IAPs

Key Conditions for Logging an IAP

Real-World Examples

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