A pilot's recent IFR experience expires on July 1 of this year. What is the latest date the pilot can meet the IFR experience requirement without having to take an instrument proficiency check?

To determine when a pilot must fulfill the instrument flight experience requirement to avoid an instrument proficiency check, it's important to understand the specifics surrounding IFR currency. A pilot is considered current if they have logged the required instrument flight experience within the preceding 6 months.

The pilot's recent IFR experience expires on July 1 of this year, meaning that the latest date for the pilot to log the necessary instrument experience to remain current would be 6 months prior to that expiration date, which brings us to December 31 of the same year. Meeting the experience requirement on or before that date allows the pilot to retain their IFR currency without needing an additional proficiency check.

Thus, December 31 of this year is the last opportunity for logging the required instrument experience while maintaining currency. This allows the pilot to continue operating under IFR conditions without additional checks or requirements.