If you're not going to fly enough to maintain that level of proficiency, then what you need is a thorough wringing-out with a good instrument instructor including both flight and ground training (and a sim, if possible, as there are things you simply can't do in the plane, like failing a vacuum pump). Such a full refresher training program may take a lot more than just the required elements of an IPC, but how much more is impossible to say without knowing your actual level of knowledge and skill going in. FWIW, PIC schedules three days for the full standard safety/refresher course including aircraft systems and normal/emergency procedures ground training, VFR/IFR and day/night rules and procedures, instrument procedures training in the sim, and day/night visual/instrument flight training including flight review and IPC. Many PIC clients do that course either annually or biennially, although I've found that those who fly often (say, over 100 hours a year including a good bit of IFR) can complete it in two days.
Nothing wrong with that to maintain proficiency, although a check every year or two with an instructor might be wise to make sure no bad habits are creeping in. OTOH, I do quite a few instrument refresher training sessions where the client hasn't flown a real approach in real instrument conditions (simulated or actual) in more than a year, and sometimes not in many years. In such cases, "going out and flying approaches and holds with a safety pilot" isn't likely to get you to where you want to be.
I think you are wise to accept the counsel of Clint "Dirty Harry" Eastwood: "A man's got to know his limitations." You clearly knew yours, and weren't going to settle for less than you knew you needed even if the FAA said less was good enough to meet the regulation. IOW, it's all about knowing that what is legal isn't always safe (and what is safe isn't always legal), but striving to remain both legal and safe.
I don't think the IPC is unreasonable at all. I think it makes sense that after 1 year you have to demonstrate you can still fly instruments to PTS standards. I wouldn't want to go full deflection on an approach in mountainous areas so I would want to be held to a strict standard.
Nailed it. We can always learn something new. After all, my life is on the line so I want to be as proficient as possible.
I have little doubt as to why GA pilots are dying in accidents. Most of the time, it's because they don't accept Dirty Harry's maxim, so they try something beyond their capabilities and it kills them. There are two ways to fix that -- get pilots to accept their limitations and stay within them, or get pilots to obtain the training necessary to improve/maintain/expand their capabilities to the level of flying they want to do. Personally, as a professional training provider, I prefer the latter, but I can accept the former. :wink2:
Are you suggesting a ride with a Cessna driver? Perish the thought.Hey -- I'm about the biggest Grumman guy in the world, and I ride with Cessna and Piper drivers all the time (as long as I'm being paid to do it
).
I don't think an IPC every year should be required by law.
Beyond what R&W said, if no life or property other than your own were at risk, I'd say it's up to you. But that's not the case here. Even if you crash your plane on your own property and nobody else gets injured and nobody else's property is damaged, GA in general takes a hit every time someone prangs.
You sound like some people I've flown with...legally-required training to the appropriate standard is all that's necessary, not a bit beyond. No matter that they can't keep the ailerons of a 54-ft wing on opposite sides of the centerline and want to land on a 50-ft wide runway. The inability to stay on the runway is "not a safety issue!"
It's not about making them feel incompetent. It's about a standard of safety. Nobody is cutting anyone down. The FAA sets the rules and as instructors and pilots we have to abide by them. If you don't fly an approach to standards I'm going to lie to your face and say you did. I'm going to tell you you need more work and give you waysto improve your piloting.