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3 Answers

IPC –can hand-held gps be used just for DME function in VMC?

Asked by: 3463 views Instrument Rating

A student wants an instrument Proficiency Check.  His airplane does not have DME.  The available local approaches need DME to hold at the published missed aproach fix.  For the purposes of the I.P.C. (to be flown in visual meterological conditions) can a hand-held GPS be used to serve the DME function during an I.P.C.?   Thank you.....

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3 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Jul 11, 2015

    A hand-held GPS cannot be IFR certified. The required maneuvers to be accomplished during an IPC check are listed in the appropriate instrument PTS. The additional instrument rating desired table has the area of operations required for an IPC. It is currently on page 21 of change 5

    Page 8 of the instrument PTS states: “GPS equipment must be instrument flight rules (IFR) certified and contain the current database”

    I don’t think it would be acceptable. At any regard, why would an instructor allow something to be don VMC when it is not allowed under IFR? It would definitely be negative training in my opinion.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Jul 13, 2015

    I agree with Wes, but have a suggestion.

    The PTS does require that an approach be conducted with certified equipment*. I’ve done IPCs using non-certified equipment but only when doing emergency procedures (such as using an iPad for partial panel). For emergencies, I don’t see prohibitions in the PTS against using “anything that will help”.

    But I am curious – where are you that there are zero non-DME missed approach options within easy flying distance?

    The suggestion: If there are indeed no non-DME options, why not play ATC and give alternative missed approach instructions? That’s very common in the real world of IFR flight and the PTS missed approach task does include “.Complies with the published or alternate missed approach procedure.” It even lets you evaluate the very next sub-task, advising ATC of an inability to comply with the published missed, a knowledge and ADM task that I personally think is the far more important one but is seldom evaluated.

    [*The interesting thing about the PTS and GPS is that it requires a current database – something that is not necessarily required for real IFR flight.]

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  3. John D Collins on Jul 14, 2015

    First, I agree with the wisdom put forth by Wes and Mark, in particular with regards to it not being a good idea to practice something under VFR that would not be permitted under IFR except in the case of an emergency..

    That said, I don’t see a regulatory prohibition. 91.57(d) requires “The instrument proficiency check must consist of the areas of operation and instrument tasks required in the instrument rating practical test standards.” I think one could make a case that the IPC could be conducted under VFR and VMC. There is an existing General Counsel opinion that allows a non IFR helicopter to be used on an IFR flightplan if the conditions were VMC, so it is not much of a stretch to use a non IFR certified airplane or light sport aircraft to conduct the IPC.

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