UK IMC / IR(R) rating

[Reely340]

I'm profoundly confuse regarding the IMC rating:
Restricted Instrument Ratings (IMC / IR(R)) | Private Pilots | Personal Licences and Training (http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=2694&pageid=15204)

At the very beginning
A) " If you have an EASA or national UK aeroplane licence you can apply for a limited form of instrument rating."

fine. Say I have an EASA PPL.


B) "An IMC rating can also be added into a national UK PPL, but cannot be used in EASA aircraft after 8 April 2014."

What ist an EASA aircraft? What good is an EASA lic. /w UK-IMC as outlined in A) , if I cannot fly EASA aircraft?

Does this sentence mean a UK PPL + N-aircraft may still fly IMC
while the same UK PPL + G-aircraft is not allow to do so after April 8th?


Does something similar exist for PPL(H) Licenses?

Does EASA @2014-post-April8th provide any means of flying in IMC in uncontrolled airspace?

thx in advance
P.

[Bravo73]

Does something similar exist for PPL(H) Licenses?


No.

For rotary, it is either VFR or a full IR. No IMC/IR(lite) ratings. This is primarily due to the unstable nature of light, SEP helicopters.

[Reely340]

For rotary, it is either VFR or a full IR. No IMC/IR(lite) ratings. This is primarily due to the unstable nature of light, SEP helicopters. Please elaborate why an airplane is more stable than a helo, assuming identical IFR instrumentation. :confused:

Especially how a full IR rated PIC makes the helo more stable :E

Neither has to comply to the "full IFR" ATC raido guided heading, height and frequency changes. Both just monitor the famous six, with the helo having more time to react due to lower airspeed.

[Bravo73]

:rolleyes:

Please elaborate why an airplane is more stable than a helo, assuming identical IFR instrumentation. :confused:


Take your hands off the controls of a correctly trimmed aeroplane and the aeroplane will tend to fly straight and level. Take your hand off the cyclic in a R22 and you will be upside down in a matter of seconds. Death will follow shortly afterwards.



Especially how a full IR rated PIC makes the helo more stable :E


It doesn't. But the 'full IR rated PIC' will invariably be sitting in a twin engine helicopter, probably with an autopilot or stabilisation of some sort. It's that which makes the IFR helicopter more stable.

[GipsyMagpie]

B) "An IMC rating can also be added into a national UK PPL, but cannot be used in EASA aircraft after 8 April 2014."

What ist an EASA aircraft? What good is an EASA lic. /w UK-IMC as outlined in A) , if I cannot fly EASA aircraft?

You are misreading b. This is talking about a UK ppl not an easa ppl. UK ppl is now only valid for non easa planes such as permit to fly.

Personally I fly single engine unstabilized helicopters IFR and it's fine. (yes in IMC not "I follow roads") Much better than a certain twin engine single pilot IFR Italian helicopter I might add. Not under easa or UK CAA regs of course.

[Jet Ranger]

Personally I fly single engine unstabilized helicopters IFR and it's fine. (yes in IMC not "I follow roads") Much better than a certain twin engine single pilot IFR Italian helicopter I might add. Not under easa or UK CAA regs of course.


Good luck. :ok:

JR

[Dick Smith]

Can someone explain the UK IMC rating.? Is it a simpler form of instrument rating?

Also in the UK is there a mandatory bi anual flight review for private pilots?

Does a pilot have to do a renewal test for the IMC rating each year or is it everlasting like the FAA instrument rating?

[paco]

The IMC rating is for fixed wing pilots to allow descent in visibility less than 1800 m. It was intended as a sort of halfway house for PPLs who didn't really need the full IR, which was designed more for commercial airline pilots.

It only applies in the UK and was going to be scrapped in favour of the new EIR (Enroute IR) from EASA, but that does not allow descent, as the trip must start and end in VMC. The IMC rating has now been given a stay of execution (in the UK only) for the forseeable future, and the two complement each other nicely.

Neither apply to helicopter pilots.

Phil