The FARs don't specify "down to minima"....
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
Also some other info from AOPA and John Lynch, author of the FARS:
"When paragraph 61.57(c)(1)(ii) [i.e., "Holding procedures"] was written it was not intended to mean multiple holdings. The emphasis is on the word procedures. There is more to holding than just flying circles in the sky. There is the planning for holding, slowing the aircraft down prior to entry, entering the holding pattern correctly, correcting for winds, establishing the one-minute inbound leg, etc. That is why I wrote it as 'Holding procedures.' So no, I never intended it to be multiple holdings."
He goes on to say that you need not document in the logbook where the maneuver took place. But what about tracking? Here, again, the answer is simple.
"Yes," Lynch told AOPA, "when a person does an approach or holding, he/she is also intercepting and tracking a course. See how simple we made paragraph 61.57(c)?" Imagine that; something from the FAA that is intentionally simple and easy to understand. No gotchas. No hidden traps.
As one might expect, Lynch has been asked a constant stream of questions about all aspects of the new Part 61, including IFR currency requirements. All of the answers are available on the Web (
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...es/afs/afs600/).