What must a pilot do to operate under IFR or in less than VFR minimums?

To operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or in conditions that are below Visual Flight Rules (VFR) minimums, a pilot is required to perform six instrument approaches under actual or simulated conditions within the preceding six months. This requirement ensures that the pilot remains proficient in their instrument flying skills, which is critical for safely navigating and controlling an aircraft when visual references are limited or unavailable.

This training practice is rooted in the need for consistent and refined skills in handling an airplane solely by reference to instruments. The six approaches can be done in various settings, including simulations or actual flying, allowing for flexibility in training and maintenance of instrument proficiency. Completing this requirement assures regulatory bodies that pilots are capable of managing instrument flight operations, which are inherently more complex than visual operations due to reliance on instruments and navigation aids rather than outside visual cues.

The other options, while related to instrument flying, do not specifically fulfill the regulatory requirement for maintaining instrument flight proficiency. Logging three instrument approaches is insufficient to demonstrate the required level of skill. Completing a full instrument check ride is a necessary aspect of initial certification or gaining additional privileges but does not pertain to the ongoing currency requirements. Lastly, logging ten hours of instrument flight time, although beneficial, does not clarify the necessary practical