maintain faa ifr current

[inaki]

Hi,

I would like to know how you can maintain a faa ifr current.Do you only have to do six approaches every six months?Don't you need to do a flight review once a year?Can you do the approaches in a non us registered aircraft with a non faa instructor?
If someone can clearly explain how it works,I will appreciate.And how to keep the commercial privileges too.

Thanks.

[Julian]

Off the top of my head for any rolling period you have to do the following....

Within a 6 months - 6 approaches, holds, VORs, NDBs, etc

6-12 months - Same again but you need to take a safety pilot up with you whilst you shoot them

12 months + - You need to go up with an FAA Instructor to have a competance check.

On top of that there is the usual bi-annual flight review.

[crispy banana]

From the FAA site here (http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/CurrentFARPart/9B7E56DA8FA1E7BC86256959004BB463?OpenDocument)

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.
(2) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in a glider, performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions--
(i) At least 3 hours of instrument time in flight, of which 1 « hours may be acquired in an airplane or a glider if no passengers are to be carried; or
(ii) 3 hours of instrument time in flight in a glider if a passenger is to be carried.
(d) Instrument proficiency check. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who does not meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) of this section within the prescribed time, or within 6 calendar months after the prescribed time, may not serve as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR until that person passes an instrument proficiency check consisting of a representative number of tasks required by the instrument rating practical test.
(1) The instrument proficiency check must be--
(i) In an aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category;
(ii) For other than a glider, in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category; or
(iii) For a glider, in a single-engine airplane or a glider.
(2) The instrument proficiency check must be given by--
(i) An examiner;
(ii) A person authorized by the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct instrument flight tests, provided the person being tested is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces;