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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ifr-six-approaches

To act as PIC under IFR, how many instrument approaches must you log in the preceding 6 calendar months?

Six approaches, plus holding and course tracking.

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  1. Six ✔
  2. Three
  3. Ten

Why: 14 CFR 61.57(c) requires six instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting and tracking courses with navigation systems. They must be logged within the preceding 6 calendar months.

Huh, didn't know that: The tasks can be done in actual weather, under a view-limiting device, or in a suitable simulator or training device.

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References

Answer: Six. 14 CFR 61.57(c) requires six instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting and tracking courses with navigation systems. They must be logged within the preceding 6 calendar months.

  1. 14 CFR 61.57 Recent flight experience: PIC www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.57
    Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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