A higher standard of hearing is required and the appropriate test may be arranged with any Authorized Medical Examiner (AME)

Experience Requirements

• Hold a PPL (A) with night qualification/rating OR a CPL (A)

• Flight Radiotelephony Operators Licence (FRTOL)

• 50 hours cross-country in aeroplanes

Training Multi-Engine IR

• Ground training in the following subjects:

  Air Law & Operational Procedures Aeroplanes

  Flight Performance and Planning

  Meteorology

  Navigation

  Communications (IFR)

  Aircraft General Knowledge

  Human Performance And Limitations

• 55 hours dual flight instruction in instrument flying

  Of which 15 hours must be in multi-engine aeroplanes

  Up to a maximum of 40 hours may be gained in an approved flight simulator or FNPT 2

  Up to a maximum of 25 hours may be gained in an approved FNPT 1

• Pass an IRT with a CAA Instrument Rating Examiner (IRE) and pass the ground examinations

Training Single-Engine IR

• Ground training in the following subjects:

  Air Law & Operational Procedures Aeroplanes

  Flight Performance and Planning

  Meteorology

  Navigation

  Communications (IFR)

  Aircraft General Knowledge

  Human Performance And Limitations

• 50 hours dual flight instruction in instrument flying

  Up to a maximum of 35 hours may be gained in an approved flight simulator or FNPT 2

  Up to a maximum of 20 hours may be gained in an approved FNPT 1

• Pass an IRT with a CAA IRE and pass the ground examinations

Special Cases

• Holders of valid IMC Rating or a UK CPL (A)

If training and testing is completed before 30 June 2002 a reduction in the approved training requirement of 12 hours of dual instruction in instrument flying

• Holders of a JAR CPL (A) or JAR ATPL (A)

A reduction in the approved training requirement of 5 hours of dual instruction in instrument flying

• Holders of a JAR or UK IR (Helicopters)

A reduction in the approved training requirement of 10 hours of dual instruction in instrument flying

Conversion Training - Single-Engine to Multi-Engine IR

• 5 hours of dual flight training

• 3 hours may be gained in an approved flight simulator of FNPT 2

• Pass an IRT with a CAA IRE

Ground Examinations

Candidates will sit these examinations at a CAA test centre or at CAA Gatwick

The timetable is published in AICs approximately every 6 months

The examinations will be taken at one sitting and have to be booked and paid for in advance.

A valid pass must be obtained in all the examinations within a period of 1 year preceding the date of application for the IR

Unless exempt candidates are required to pass ground examinations as follows:-

• Air Law & Operational Procedures Aeroplanes

• Flight Performance and Planning

• Meteorology

• Navigation

• Communications (IFR)

• Aircraft General Knowledge

• Human Performance And Limitations

The pass mark is 75% for all examinations

Instrument Rating Test (IRT)

The initial test is normally conducted in a multi-engine aeroplane, other than a centre-line thrust aeroplane, as if it were being flown by a single flight crew member. It can be conducted in a single-engine aeroplane, centre-line thrust multi-engine aeroplane (see note 1) or in a multi-pilot aeroplane (see note 2)

To be flown in actual or simulated IFR assuming icing conditions

Before a candidate can take the IRT a form FCL170A, signed by an authorized person to sign such forms, certifying not only the candidate has satisfactorily completed any training which may have been required, but is also, in the judgement of the person signing the form, fully ready to take and pass the test

The test may be flown with up to 5 hours less than the approved syllabus hours remaining

A pass in all sections must be achieved within 2 attempts otherwise a complete re-test is required. A failure of only one section will require only that section to be taken again. Failure of that section at the second attempt will result in a complete re-test. Further training may be required prior to attempting another complete test. A FCL170A is required for each complete re-test

Notes:

1. Consult CAA for approved training and testing requirements and privileges

2. Multi-pilot IR normally confined to pilots of the UK Military who hold a current military procedural IR

Section 1 Departure

Pre-departure checks, drills and aircraft preparation for safe conduct of flight

Visual take-off

Instrument climb and departure following SID or ATC clearance

Section 2 General Handling

Basic handling to include:-

Straight and level flight (full and limited panel)

Turns onto specific headings (full and limited panel)

Recovery from unusual attitudes (full and limited panel)

Stalling (clean and approach configurations)

Section 3 En-route IFR Procedures

Entry, flight in and departure from airways in accordance with ATC clearance

Using tracking facilities as briefed by examiner

 

Section 4 Precision Approach

Approach to land procedure as published for facility or as directed by ATC to a specified DA (DH) from which a direct landing may be made

At DA (DH) missed approach to normal climb following published procedure or as directed by ATC to a position from which the next instrument approach may be started

 

Section 5 Non-Precision Approach

Standard entry into a holding pattern and completion of at least 1 pattern of the appropriate holding procedure including adjustments to leave holding pattern at the onwards clearance time or expected approach time if required by ATC

Approach to land procedure as published for facility requiring descent to a specified MDA (MDH)

Following descent to MDA (MDH), altitude/height should be maintained along the final approved track to a point where either:-

A landing may be safely made

OR

The missed approach point is reached where upon the missed approach procedure should be carried out

 

Section 6 Simulated Asymmetric Flight (if applicable)

During missed approach the examiner will simulate failure of an engine

A safe flight path is to be established with simulated engine failure followed by identification of failed engine and completion of essential actions

Asymmetric circling approach or asymmetric visual circuit to go around

Asymmetric visual circuit to land

Validity

12 months

Privileges

The privileges conferred by a IR gained on a multi-engine aeroplane may be exercised in a multi-engine or single-engine SPA

The privileges conferred by a IR gained on a single-engine aeroplane may be exercised only in single-engine SPA

The privileges conferred by a IR gained in a multi-pilot aeroplane (MPA) may be exercised only in a MPA

An instrument rating extends the privileges of its holder to allow:

• Any flight as PIC or co-pilot in controlled airspace in circumstances requiring compliance with the IFR

• Any flight as PIC at night when passengers are carried or flying instruction is given, unless the licence holder has certain specified recent night flying experience and a valid night rating

References