Related to Can a plane be IFR certified, but not allowed in IMC? and Are there any LSA aircraft that can be flown IFR in IMC? . I understand the distinction between IFR and IMC. I can train for IFR in such an airplane in non-IMC conditions, but I cannot fly in actual IMC.
Does this mean that I can take my IFR checkride in such an airplane, too?
Legally, you can take your instrument rating checkride (not "IFR checkride") in an airplane that is not equipped for flight under instrument flight rules. That is because you will fly your check ride under VFR. As I did. The examiner will act as "safety pilot," a require crew member, while you are the sole manipulator of the controls under SIMULATED IMC via the view limiting device. The examiner will ask you to do the required tasks, and you will coordinate the tasks needing ATC assistance with ATC, who will remind you to "remain VFR" while you are on practice instrument approaches and so on. You cannot fly the checkride under instrument flight rules because you don't have an instrument rating. The examiner won't (or at least most won't) file an IFR flight plan as PIC using his/her rating.
But that's legal. In practical terms, at least in my opinion, any examiner is going to be reluctant, or at least suspicious, of a request for an applicant to complete the instrument rating checkride in an airplane not fully equipped for instrument flight. In particular, he or she is going to insist that the airplane be equipped for several different types of instrument approaches. My understanding is that it's up to the examiner, so check in advance if your examiner is comfortable using the airplane that you propose to use.
There are lots of reasons that an IFR certified aircraft may not be legal to fly in IMC. An airplane must have had an altimeter and pitot/static check within the last 24 months. If using VORs for navigation, a VOR check is required within 30 days. If you are planning on using GPS approaches or departures, then your database must be current.
Since you start off your checkride by filing and flying an IFR flight plan, then it you would need an airplane that is currently capable of IFR flight. However, the current PTS does not require that an actual ATC clearance be received:
III. AREA OF OPERATION: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CLEARANCES AND PROCEDURES
NOTE: The ATC clearance may be an actual or simulated ATC clearance based upon the flight plan.
If your designated examiner agrees beforehand that you will use a simulated clearance, then you would not need an IFR certified airplane. Otherwise I believe you would.
From the FARs:
§91.205 Powered civil aircraft with standard category U.S. airworthiness certificates: Instrument and equipment requirements. (d) Instrument flight rules.
(1) Instruments and equipment specified in paragraph (b) of this section, and, for night flight, instruments and equipment specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
§91.411 Altimeter system and altitude reporting equipment tests and inspections. (a) No person may operate an airplane, or helicopter, in controlled airspace under IFR unless—
(1) Within the preceding 24 calendar months, each static pressure system, each altimeter instrument, and each automatic pressure altitude reporting system has been tested and inspected and found to comply with appendices E and F of part 43 of this chapter;
(Emphasis added)
And from the Instrument Practical Test Standards (FAA-S-8081-4E PTS Instrument)
Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test The instrument rating applicant is required by 14 CFR part 61 to provide an airworthy, certificated aircraft for use during the practical test.
Its operating limitations must not prohibit the TASKS required on the practical test. Flight instruments are those required for controlling the aircraft without outside references. The required radio equipment is that which is necessary for communications with air traffic control (ATC), and for the performance of two of the following nonprecision approaches: very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR), nondirectional beacon (NDB), global positioning system (GPS) without vertical guidance, localizer (LOC), localizer-type directional aid (LDA), simplified directional facility (SDF), or area navigation (RNAV) and one precision approach: instrument landing system (ILS), GNSS landing system (GLS), localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) or microwave landing system (MLS).
GPS equipment must be instrument flight rules (IFR) certified and contain the current database.
(Emphasis added)
Training is a different issue since, except for your cross-countries, you do not need to file an IFR flight plan to practice approaches and navigation solely by reference to instruments.
