Editing Instrument flight rules (section)

===Pilot===
To fly under IFR, a pilot must have an [[instrument rating]] and must be ''current'' (meet recency of experience requirements).
In the United States, to file and fly under IFR, a pilot must be instrument-rated and, within the preceding six months, have flown six [[instrument approach]]es, as well as [[holding (aviation)|holding]] procedures and course interception and tracking with [[navaid]]s. Flight under IFR beyond six months after meeting these requirements is not permitted; however, currency may be reestablished within the next six months by completing the requirements above. Beyond the twelfth month, examination ("instrument proficiency check") by an instructor is required.<ref>US Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR 61.57(c) and (d)</ref>

Practicing instrument approaches can be done either in the [[instrument meteorological conditions]] or in [[visual meteorological conditions]] – in the latter case, a [[safety pilot]] is required so that the pilot practicing instrument approaches can wear a view-limiting device which restricts his field of view to the instrument panel. A safety pilot's primary duty is to observe and avoid other traffic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apply for an Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) or Instrument Rating (Restricted) (IR(R)) {{!}} Civil Aviation Authority |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/applications/ratings/apply-for-an-instrument-meteorological-conditions-imc-or-instrument-rating-restricted-ir-r/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.caa.co.uk}}</ref>

In the UK, an IR (UK restricted) - formerly the "IMC rating" - which permits flight under IFR in airspace classes B to G in instrument meteorological conditions, a non-instrument-rated pilot can also elect to fly under IFR in visual meteorological conditions outside controlled airspace. Compared to the rest of the world, the UK's flight crew licensing regime is somewhat unusual in its licensing for meteorological conditions and airspace, rather than flight rules.{{Citation needed|date=June 2015}}