yeah typical isnt it,

amzaing really, what should have been an easy Yes/No question, turned out a long discussion

PIC and IR Flight Test
 

Actually when you take your IR flight test in the US you do log it as PIC (obviously providing you pass) so you have to have a valid medical certificate. A good school should check this for you as part of the pwk before you get entered for your checkride.
The examiners and instructors are also getting more keen on ensuring that the correct pwk is followed - particularly since there has now been a fine system implemented. One major area you should make sure you have complied is with the TSA - all Non-US flight students must complete this (and my examiner did check mine - and in fact had refused to do checkrides for people who hadn't received back their clearance). Here are the details:
Non-US Citizens: Whether or not you are a resident of the United States, all non-US citizens must now register for a category III security background check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for any training for any pilot certificate or rating for aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds gross weight. To get this security clearance you must register through the Alien Flight School Candidates web site located on the web at: http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov. There is a one time fee of $130 for this background check and usually a fee of about $25 for the required fingerprinting. Any recurrent training (flight reviews, rental check-outs, etc.) requires only a simple category IV clearance
As far as completing the checkride in a sim I don't believe that's possible . . . you can renew your FAA IR in a sim (obviously the right category) but that's simpler and requires less tasks.
Good luck

Even when you would fail, you can still log PIC as student. The examiners are not PIC, unless agreed before the flight. (personally i have never seen this happen, but it is possible) Even student pilots trying to gain a PPL or RPL can log PIC, since they are exempt from the limitation of not being able to carry passengers on an exam flight. 14CFR61.47

He is a spanner,
You can do an initial FAA IR in a sim. :eek: It can be done if you are doing your ATP checkride in conjunction with a type rating, as the ATP is not issued without IR privilages:ok:

apologies ILIB, I misunderstood exactly what the discussion was re. the ratings etc.

just checked my paperwork again, my disclaimer is that the temp. FAA cert i have does state that it's based on the foreign medical. you've got me wondering though.........will be chasing it up tomorrow.... :uhoh: thanks!