Can I file/fly IFR right away, or need to wait?

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BlueOrGraySkies

Filing Flight Plan
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BlueOrGraySkies
Over the weekend I passed my IR checkride and earned my instrument rating from a 141 flight school. They told me that they have to mail my current PPL into the FAA with their records for everything to be processed, and then I'll get a temporary certificate and eventually another fancy permanent card.

I have two plane rentals later this week, so I asked the school to hold off on mailing stuff until after my rentals. That way I'll be fully legal with my PPL in my pocket during my flights.

My question is, is it legal and ok with regs if I file and and fly an IFR flight plan during my rentals later this week? Or do I need to stick with VFR until the FAA has received and processed all of my docs from the flight school?

I would like to do a couple of ~75ish mile CC flights on my rentals, and would prefer to fly under IFR (even if VMC) for the practice. But don't want to knowingly break any rules, so will stick with VFR if needed.
 
Wait 30 minutes to file IFR after eating...but other than that... Its been several years but I seem to recall something being printed right away, from the FAA Airman Testing website...you didn't get this?
 
Mtns2Skies said:
Maybe I'm not familiar with the part 141 schools - but you should have gotten a temporary airman certificate at the completion of your checkride.
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When I completed my PPL that's exactly what happened, I was issued a temporary on the spot.

With the IR, they said the temporary will come in an email once the FAA receives the hardcopy of my stuff.
 
DPE should have done your pass in IACRA at the conclusion of your practical. There should be no paper going to the FAA. Something doesn't add up.
 
Perhaps iacra was down?
 
I have never heard of mailing your current certificate back. Be sure you go online and get a temporary authorization to operate. This is common for example if you lose the plastic card. At the end of the checkride you should have gotten a temporary certificate.
 
You should be able to file IFR to fly home from the IR check ride, and should have gotten paper to prove it.
 
Rgbeard said:
Add me to the “nonsense” camp.
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You can be an Assistant Counselor :p

To the OP, you have a dozen folks above, plus me: should have gotten a printed off temp airman cert, new one comes in the mail within 60 days.
 
Was this school in Florida and did you pay over $1,500 for the practical test? If you don’t have a permanent or temporary certificate, you can’t be PIC.
 
SCCutler said:
You should be able to file IFR to fly home from the IR check ride, and should have gotten paper to prove it.
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I nearly had to. DPE asked if I wanted to file or wait it out. Luckily the wx gods were on my side and the skies opened up. Obviously, because I had passed the check ride and was being smiled upon from...the...

Drink coffee, then type to strangers.
 
After my checkride I flew home from SC to VA in IMC.

But also confused why you didn't get a temp certificate. That seems odd.
 
The examiner stamped my log book, and signed it with the rating specified, both for the Comm, one day, and Instrument the next day. Thus, I had proof of competency right there.

With photo copies of your old card, and the examiners signature in the log, you should be fine.

With anything less, don't leave until they provide that minimal documentation.

And stop payment on any checks or credit card charges if they refuse.
 
DesertNomad said:
Some sort of fraud?
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Oh crap. What school and what DPE did you use?

Go on the IACRA site and see what your status is - has it changed to IR? If not, then get / request a replacement PPL license to be sent to you. Go to Airmen Registry and print off the page showing your current status / license in the mean time?

Check into finding a real DPE to take your IR check ride after you get this sorted out.
 
Something is amiss. I stepped out of the airplane with my temporary IR certificate after the checkride.
 
Actually - I don’t think a DPE can even do a check ride without he/she and you being in the IACRA system.
 
WDD said:
Actually - I don’t think a DPE can even do a check ride without he/she and you being in the IACRA system.
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Paper still works in my end of the world. I don’t think the FAA expects a checkride to cancel simply because IACRA is down (the reason I did paper the last two times.)
 
WDD said:
Actually - I don’t think a DPE can even do a check ride without he/she and you being in the IACRA system.
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It can be done. At least as of Dec 2020.
 
MauleSkinner said:
Paper still works in my end of the world. I don’t think the FAA expects a checkride to cancel simply because IACRA is down (the reason I did paper the last two times.)
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Interesting. My last check ride was paused temporarily because the DPE had trouble hooking into it. Was not going to do it if couldn’t get in.
 
MauleSkinner said:
Paper still works in my end of the world. I don’t think the FAA expects a checkride to cancel simply because IACRA is down (the reason I did paper the last two times.)
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Paper applications do still work, but the end result of a successful checkride should still be a paper temporary certificate in hand, and a hole punched in your existing certificate. I've never heard of having to mail one in and getting a paper temp via mail. What are you supposed to do in the days, weeks, or months it takes the FAA to process such a thing?

Something smells here...
 
I filed IFR the day after I passed my checkride. You are legal as soon as you have the piece of paper in your hands.
 
midwestpa24 said:
Paper applications do still work, but the end result of a successful checkride should still be a paper temporary certificate in hand, and a hole punched in your existing certificate. I've never heard of having to mail one in and getting a paper temp via mail. What are you supposed to do in the days, weeks, or months it takes the FAA to process such a thing?

Something smells here...
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Agreed. Even if DPE did the mail vs IACRA, OP should have walked away with a piece of paper.
 
I filed on the flight home from my checkride.
 
midwestpa24 said:
Paper applications do still work, but the end result of a successful checkride should still be a paper temporary certificate in hand, and a hole punched in your existing certificate. I've never heard of having to mail one in and getting a paper temp via mail. What are you supposed to do in the days, weeks, or months it takes the FAA to process such a thing?

Something smells here...
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Yup…there is absolutely no reason for the OP to be in this situation.
 
Really interesting responses, thank you all for your input. I still have my PPL in hand (the actual card), and your responses have given me plenty of questions to ask tomorrow when I go back to the school to rent the plane (just a solo xc joyride).

No, school is not in Florida, and the checkride was $600. Same school where I earned my PPL, they are legit. When I got my PPL it was just as y'all described above - the DPE punched my student pilot license and handed me a printout of my temporary PPL, then my PPL card came in a couple of months. Since everything was fine when I got my PPL, I had no reason to question what I was told after I completed my IR checkride.

My application was complete in IACRA a day or two before the checkride with the DPE. I haven't logged back in to see if the status has changed since the checkride, but I'll take a look before the rental tomorrow.
 
geezer said:
The examiner stamped my log book, and signed it with the rating specified, both for the Comm, one day, and Instrument the next day. Thus, I had proof of competency right there.

With photo copies of your old card, and the examiners signature in the log, you should be fine.

With anything less, don't leave until they provide that minimal documentation.

And stop payment on any checks or credit card charges if they refuse.
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So that pesky regulation that says you have to a pilot certificate in your possession doesn’t apply?
 
That pesky reg. that says in possession has been held in court to not necessarily be in your physical possession, but elsewhere, as you possess your house, whether you are even near it.

When he might be asked for his license, he can just say that it is currently in the custody of the FAA or US Postal
department, they will make it available at their convenience.

If he is ramp checked by an overly officious Government employee, he will need an attorney but will prevail. There are many cases on this concept.

With photo copies of your old card, and the examiners signature in the log, you should be fine.

Without them, not so good.

I wonder what the DPE does if the pilot has only electronic log book? Purely an electronic transaction?
 
WDD said:
Oh crap. What school and what DPE did you use?
.
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Probably none. 141 schools typically have examining authority. They still should have issued a temporary airman certificate.
 
BlueOrGraySkies said:
Really interesting responses, thank you all for your input. I still have my PPL in hand (the actual card), and your responses have given me plenty of questions to ask tomorrow when I go back to the school to rent the plane (just a solo xc joyride).
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Did he not punch the seal invalidating it? If not he's not doing things right. You should have had your old certificate invalidated and the temporary issued that you fly on (even for the stuff before the instrument rating) until Joklahoma City gets around to sending you the new plastic.
 
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