Let's start by looking at several different terms:
VMC: Visual Meteorological Conditions, as defined by cloud clearance and visibility in 91.155.
IMC: Instrument Meteorological Conditions, which means you don't have the cloud clearance and visibility for VMC.
Simulated instrument conditions: In the sim or using a vision-restricting device.
Actual instrument conditions: This isn't defined in the regs, but here's how the Chief Counsel defined it in 1984, and no change has been issued since.
So, keep in mind that it's possible to be in actual instrument conditions while in VMC (as described in the letter above), or to be in in IMC but not in actual instrument conditions, e.g., 1900 feet laterally from the only cloud in an otherwise clear blue sky. Only when you are in actual or simulated instrument conditions can you log instrument time and events -- the fact that it's VMC or IMC is irrelevant.
Now, 61.57(c) says that to count for currency, the approach must be flown in instrument conditions, either simulated or actual, but doesn't specify how much of the approach must be flown in instruments, or even how much must be flown at all (i.e., is FAF-MAP sufficient or must it be IAF-MA Hold?). Again, all we have on that is a
Chief Counsel interpretation which says that to count, the approach must be flown all the way to the MAP or runway, and all the way down to MDA/DH (except at ATC direction for safety, e.g., 500-foot restricted low approach for personnel/equipment on the runway, or the like). From a January 28, 1992 FAA Legal Opinion (covers a number of issues not just this one):
Note that they avoided discussing how much of the approach must be flown in instrument conditions, and FAA Legal has never to my knowledge been asked this question, and I hope they never are, as I fear the answer they would give might be one we could not stand. That leaves the point at which you break out and can still count it open to your own sense of what provides suitable experience to maintain proficiency to fly it down to mins if you have to next time.
I know some folks who will log the
approach if they were hooded or in
actual instrument conditions (not the same as
IMC -- just flying 1500 feet from a cloud on a clear day constitutes "IMC") for even 10 seconds anywhere between the IAF and the runway. OTOH, I know folks who won't log it unless they're in instrument conditions (
simulated or
actual) all the way from the IAF to MDA/DH. Further, I've heard various opinions ranging between these extremes from FSDO Inspectors.
That said, I think most folks log the approaches for currency only if they were either:
- Hooded from IAF or start of vectors to final all the way to MDA/just above DH, or
- Actual instruments at some point between the start of the approach (IAF or VTF) to breaking out inside the FAF.
My personal standard is not to log unless hooded as above, or in
actual somewhere between the FAF and the MAP. IOW, I will not log an
approach if I go visual before I get to the IAF. I've had some FAA folks say that's right, and others say that's more restrictive than necessary, but I've never had anyone say that wasn't restrictive enough. YMMV.
BTW, while you must the procedure
all the way to the MAP, they did say it's OK to fly a restricted low
approach if ATC tells you there's "men and equipment on the runway," or other such safety reason. OTOH, you
can't count it if you break it off before you get over top of the MAP (e.g., no counting the
approach if you break out outside the FAF and abandon the SIAP for a visual
approach from there).
