Is there any way to legally practice "partial panel" flying in actual IMC in the US? For example, possibly in uncontrolled airspace?

"Partial panel" meaning that all your vacuum instruments have failed (or have been covered up), and the only working gyro instrument visible is the turn rate indicator or turn coordinator.

Practicing "under the hood" just seems like cheating, unless it's overcast (or night) so you don't have any shadows moving across your field of vision to give cues as to attitude and heading.

I guess there may be two different cases involved in this question--

Case 1 -- the pilot is so proficient as to be able to perform to expected standards for IFR flght, even with vacuum instruments covered up.

Case 2 -- the pilot is not so proficient as described above, and so wishes to be free to maneuver without performing to expected standards for IFR flight. This is where the concept of flying in IMC in uncontrolled airspace may pertain.

The intent of this question is that the vacuum-driven gyro instruments are present and still working, just covered up, in a manner that the pilot is able to uncover them quickly if needed.

In the US, is it legal to cover up some of the required gyro instruments during flight under IFR in actual IMC?

The purpose being for "partial panel" practice.

Is there any way to legally practice "partial panel" flying in actual IMC in the US? For example, possibly in uncontrolled airspace?

"Partial panel" meaning that all your vacuum instruments have failed (or have been covered up), and the only working gyro instrument visible is the turn rate indicator or turn coordinator.

Practicing "under the hood" just seems like cheating, unless it's overcast (or night) so you don't have any shadows moving across your field of vision to give cues as to attitude and heading.

I guess there may be two different cases involved in this question--

Case 1 -- the pilot is so proficient as to be able to perform to expected standards for IFR flght, even with vacuum instruments covered up.

Case 2 -- the pilot is not so proficient as described above, and so wishes to be free to maneuver without performing to expected standards for IFR flight. This is where the concept of flying in IMC in uncontrolled airspace may pertain.

The intent of this question is that vacuum-driven gyro instruments are present and still working, just covered up, in a manner that the pilot is able to uncover them quickly if needed.

Is there any way to legally practice "partial panel" flying in actual IMC in the US? For example, possibly in uncontrolled airspace?

"Partial panel" meaning that all your vacuum instruments have failed (or have been covered up), and the only working gyro instrument visible is the turn rate indicator or turn coordinator.

Practicing "under the hood" just seems like cheating, unless it's overcast (or night) so you don't have any shadows moving across your field of vision to give cues as to attitude and heading.

I guess there may be two different cases involved in this question--

Case 1 -- the pilot is so proficient as to be able to perform to expected standards for IFR flght, even with vacuum instruments covered up.

Case 2 -- the pilot is not so proficient as described above, and so wishes to be free to maneuver without performing to expected standards for IFR flight. This is where the concept of flying in IMC in uncontrolled airspace may pertain.

The intent of this question is that the vacuum-driven gyro instruments are present and still working, just covered up, in a manner that the pilot is able to uncover them quickly if needed.

Is there any way to legally practice "partial panel" flying in actual IMC in the US? For example, possibly in uncontrolled airspace?

"Partial panel" meaning that all your vacuum instruments have failed (or have been covered up), and the only working gyro instrument visible is the turn rate indicator or turn coordinator.

Practicing "under the hood" just seems like cheating, unless it's overcast (or night) so you don't have any shadows moving across your field of vision to give cues as to attitude and heading.

Is there any way to legally practice "partial panel" flying in actual IMC in the US? For example, possibly in uncontrolled airspace?

"Partial panel" meaning that all your vacuum instruments have failed (or have been covered up), and the only working gyro instrument visible is the turn rate indicator or turn coordinator.

Practicing "under the hood" just seems like cheating, unless it's overcast (or night) so you don't have any shadows moving across your field of vision to give cues as to attitude and heading.

I guess there may be two different cases involved in this question--

Case 1 -- the pilot is so proficient as to be able to perform to expected standards for IFR flght, even with vacuum instruments covered up.

Case 2 -- the pilot is not so proficient as described above, and so wishes to be free to maneuver without performing to expected standards for IFR flight. This is where the concept of flying in IMC in uncontrolled airspace may pertain.

The intent of this question is that vacuum-driven gyro instruments are present and still working, just covered up, in a manner that the pilot is able to uncover them quickly if needed.