why are there only 9 IREs?

[Capt. Manuvar]

I heard that there are only 9 IREs in the UK. Why is this?
Also why are they all emplyed by the CAA? In other countries IREs are independent of but regulated by the relevant CAA.
Capt. M

[IRRenewal]

Because that's all they need to cover the demand?

Assume 1000 people a year get an initial IR issued. Also assume on average 2 flights/pass are required. That makes 2000 flights/year.

Divide that by 9, that gives 222 flights/examiner.

A flight takes half a day, so each examiner works 111 days/year.

56 days/year is 11 odd weeks/year. Leaves plenty of time to do other things me thinks.

Unless there is an accute problem getting test slots, I cannot possibly see a need for more IREs in the UK.

[RVR800]

Because most Airline pilots drop the singlecrew IR as soon as they get the Multi Crew IR - its too expensive to keep up

[IRRenewal]

Because most Airline pilots drop the singlecrew IR as soon as they get the Multi Crew IR - its too expensive to keep up

You don't need an IRE to renew/revalidate a single pilot IR, you can do that with a CRE. So, although the statement above is largely true, it does not answer the question posted by Capt. M regarding the number of IREs in the UK.

[mad_jock]

Does that 9 include the 2 that work north of the border?.

And they also do CPL's as well. I remember having to do some tatical booking to avoid being given a CAA staff examiner for the CPL.

Apart from which I would imagine they are pretty expensive in the grand scope of things. They won't be on peanuts, I should imagine they have a pretty good allowance for staying current on various twin types. Would estimate that all in cost is going to be over 100k a year for each one and thats without all the office rent etc. Proberly nearer 150K with all the extras added.

So with the numbers taking the test the exam fees will struggle to cover the costs, any more than 9 it would also become very expensive (which would have to of course be passed on to the customer)

As for keeping them in house. All for it. The Initial IR is one of the few flight tests that there has never been any question about the quality of product passing it. The examiners have a pretty good reputation for being compleletly fair and judgmental. And having heard one take area ATC to task they have a very weird standing in aviation in the UK. Apart from which of the 4 i have had the pleasure of meeting they have all been very helpful nice chaps who all seem to have the pilots best interests at heart. Never a problem asking them questions and they can also be a very helpful back door into the CAA if your not getting any joy from other directions of attack.

It must be a right boring job, with heaps of paper work and politics involved.

MJ

[Capt. Manuvar]

Thanks for the replies. The reason I asked is that I have heard that some candidates have had to wait up to 3 months for a test.
With regards to their attitudes, what i've heard is contrary to what is said above. there are probably one or two of them who are known to be rather nasty to candidates. Even though i'm sure most of them are alright.
Capt. M

[mad_jock]

I am sure you are right maybe I have just been lucky with the ones I have spoken to.

The 3 months might be a local hold up. Another thing for people to look at when they decide to choose an IR school. How long between 170A and skills test. 3 months is a very long time to be sitting waiting with no flying to be done. Staying current could add an extra 1-2k onto the course.

MJ

[loftustb]

I waited 3 weeks for a test booking because 1 of the 2 Examiners was unavailable for a fortnight. There was a stand-in from another centre but lots of weather cancellations at the time which created another backlog. Could have taken a cancellation at short notice but chose not to. Cost me more to keep flying in the 3 weeks but that's life

CAA Examiners do IRs, CPLs, Instructor renewals, CAA Flight Tests (eg for candidates who have to prove that they can overcome a difficulty) and lots of other things.

[Final 3 Greens]

What about all the IREs (and TREs) who work for the airlines - there are rather more than 9 of those in the UK ;)

[StrateandLevel]

JAR-FCL 1.450 defines an IRE as a person who may conduct tests for the initial issue of an IR. i.e. current and some former CAA FEs

A TRE (JAR-FCL 1.440) may conduct skill tests for the initial issue of a multi pilot type rating and for the revalidatuion of multi pilot type and instrument ratings.

The TRE/IRE designation used under National rules is now just a TRE under JAR-FCL.