Advice on IR schtuff

[fernytickles]

I haven't used my IR for nearly a year now. Can anyone advise me what I now have to do to cheer it up/keep the CAA happy?. .. .I have tried doing a search to see if there was anything else on the website about it, but nothing came up.. .. .Thank you. . . . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[IRRenewal]

The only thing needed to keep the CAA happy is to do a revalidation (if still valid) or renewal (if expired). If it is a ME IR you would have to revalidate/renew the ME rating as well. The whole thing is called a LPC (licence proficiency check).. .. .Whether that makes you a happy instrument pilot is a different issue..... .. .Feel free to contact me directly if you have additional questions. .. .Cheers

[fernytickles]

Thanks very much for that. . .. .What renders the IR invalid? Is it a time factor, apart form the so many approaches in so many months, etc, etc. Its pretty pathetic that I don't know this, but I've never got into the situation where it could be a factor before, so I've never really thought about it, I just know I don't want to have to go thru' the whole checkride etc ever again!. .. .Thanks again. . . . <small>[ 21 March 2002, 21:15: Message edited by: fernytickles ]</small>

[A and C]

You would be within the law flying with the IR 364 days after the last OPC or in your case issue but would you feel happy to do an ILS to limits with so little practice ?.. .. .Get an instructor who is up to speed with IF to help you.

[IRRenewal]

Even worse! You can bring your revalidation forward by three mobths without losing anything on you initial validity. This means you could fly for 15 months minus 1 day if you time it right!. .. .Regards

[DFC]

There is a small but very relevant paragraph in the AIP dealing with "Instrument Rated Pilots in Current Practice" and explains what being current means.. .. .Regards,. .. .DFC

[IRRenewal]

Actually, the paragraph that explains what 'being current' means deals with pilots who are not in current practice.. .. .AIP AD 1.1.2. .. .3.3.3 Pilots not in Current Practice. .. .If a pilot is not in current practice (see Note) he should try to avoid having to make an instrument approach in bad weather. If he is to make suchan approach, even if he is fully confident of hid abilities, he is advised to add 100 ft to his calculated DH/MDH. Further increments should be added depending on when the pilot was last in full practice, his or her familiarity with the aircraft, the procedure and the aerodrome environment.. .Note: A pilot who has conducted an actual or practice instrument approach during the previous 28 days can be considered as being in current practice.. .. .Although in principle I agree with what they say here (however, is one approach in the last 4 weeks really enough to make you 'current'?), I would also like to point out that this paragraph carries recommendations only. Words like 'should' and 'advised' point in this direction. As far as the legalities are concerned, you either have an IR or you don't.

[fernytickles]

IRR, and everyone else,. .. .Thanks for all of this. I have a well used IR, but its lying dormant just now. I have absolutely no intention of waking it all of a sudden and trying to be a smart ass. But, how long can it be dormant before it becomes totally invalid? Or should I be going out, with an instructor, for some torture, shooting some approaches just to keep the paperwork healthy, then allowing it to go to sleep again, until I really get back into using it, ie, go back to work?

[IRRenewal]

You can let it lapse 5 years (meaning 6 years from your last renewal or your initial) before you lose it completely and have to go back to the CAA to do your initial again.. .. .Cheers

[fernytickles]

Thanks for that <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[FormationFlyer]

Um...Isnt it revalidate up between 3 mon before & up to 5 years after - thereafter its known as a renewal.. .. .AFAIK - can correct me if I am wrong - but there is little difference between letting it lapse by a a year or two or revalidating earlier - its the same cost with the same flight test and the same form with the same payment isnt it? Other than not being able to fly where an IR is required AFAI can see there is no loss of anything...including ATPL theory (which is 7 years since last date of IR CoT?).. .. .I mention this as my IR lapses on the 28 but am testing on the 29.

[IRRenewal]

FormationFlyer,. .. .Revalidate when still valid. .Renew when expired, even if one day. .. .Expired up to five years: renew with any examiner, same test profile as revalidation. .Expired over five years: redo initial IR skill test with CAAFU.. .. .PS: instrument-formation-flying is not recommended unless both aircraft are equipped with TCAS.. .. .Regards

[FormationFlyer]

LOL. Thats cool - basically then &lt;5yr renewal is same as revalidation then. Cool.