Rate of decay of IFR skills

[F3]

My IR (M.E.P) is due for first renewal in approx. 3 months time. After a long period of unemployment, I have finally secured a job that will allow me to finance the £1,500 or so required to revalidate.. .. .My question is this, realising no flying job is likely to be found within the next two years or so, is it worth renewing now in order to maintain a certain degree of competency, or do the skills decay exponentially, therefore making little difference to my ability (and hence cost) whether I revalidate now or in two years time.. .. .Alternatively, should I spend a bit more and do an MCC course, whilst my Multi/IR is still valid?. .. .Any advice from those experienced in maintaining a licence on a tight budget would be most welcome! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[Matthewjharvey]

I suspect you will be no rustier in a years time than you are now if you have not flown for 9 months or so. I have a question - I have not had to go through the revalidation process as I have had my JAR IR/ME less than a year - but why does it cost so much to do it. By my reckoning 1500 quid is 5 hours - is this a typical amount of time needed or would it be less if you retain reasonable proficiency. Also is there a fee like the initial IR for a revalidation and who can do it?. .If anyone can shed light on the matter I would be most appreciative.

[easondown]

F3,. .. .You would seem to be in a catch 22 situation, which I can sympathise with. If you have no MCC then prospective employers won't even look at your CV for a multi crew job. I think employers would rather see a completed MCC and lapsed IR than no MCC and current IR. If I were you I'd do the MCC course and put the IR renewal on the back burner (for the moment). My logic is that when applying for any type of multi crew job on a turboprop/jet, the airline who hires you must put you through your IR on that type of aircraft, but you won't get even a sniff of that job if you don't have your MCC completed. I reckon you could do it for about 2500 pounds. The very best of british what ever choice you make !!!!. .. .Ps If you haven't flown Instruments for about a year then I think 1500 pounds would be very optimistic a price. I reckon it would be at least double that and then some to pass the renewal - presumming you haven't done any approach/IR work in an aircraft for a year.. . . . <small>[ 28 March 2002, 19:09: Message edited by: onemorehold ]</small>

[F3]

Greaser, as far as I know the examiners fee is approx. £150 for the LPC (or renewal). .I assumed I would need to fly four refresher sorties prior to the test (not being a 'naturally talented pilot' <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> ). .Thanks for the advice OMH. Sounds sensible <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 28 March 2002, 19:19: Message edited by: F3 ]</small>

[QNH 1013]

Unlike the initial IR for which we pay the CAA £564 (from memory) there is no set fee for a renewal. The fee is just a matter between you and the IR examiner. Of course flying training organisations will be able to produce their "standard" prices, but there are a few freelance examiners around. Shop around and be prepared to drive a few miles.. .I did my first renewal before Christmas and kept the cost down by:. .1. Reading and rereading the notes I made after every training flight for the initial IR.. .2. Lots of practice "flying" my computer sim (Flitepro) to really get all the checks back in place.. .3. Finding the cheapest Frasca Sim I could hire (lots more driving) and doing 6 1-hour sessions with an excellent instructor. - This was a lot cheaper than flying.. .4. Got in the aircraft and 2 1/2 hours later had done the renewal.. .. .It was hard work, but nothing like as hard as the initial.. .. .The psychological boost of passing your first renewal should not be underestimated.. .. .Hope this helps