IR(R) Required for CB-IR

[felixflyer]

Hi

I am about to start working towards my CB-IR. I did the IMC course around 5 years ago but never took the test as I was injured just before.

I now have the 15 hours instruction in my log book but no actual qualification. My question is, do I actually need the IR(R) qualification in order to build IFR hours towards the CB-IR?

I fully intend to get some training and will also be paying for an instructor to fly IFR with me and come up with a plan for building the hours which will be as beneficial as possible for the CB-IR. Do I need to actually do my IR(R) test though?

[Genghis the Engineer]

You can't fly IFR without an IR or IR(R), save with an appropriately qualified instructor in command. To use your IR(R) you need a test.

Unless you have a UK CPL, in which case you *may* have IR(R) privileges - I've been told I do, but have never managed to get a clear answer about what I have to do to be considered current in those privileges (and keep my own IR(R) current, so it's irrelevant to me personally.)

G

[bookworm]

I now have the 15 hours instruction in my log book but no actual qualification. My question is, do I actually need the IR(R) qualification in order to build IFR hours towards the CB-IR?

If you mean "Can the 15 hours be credited towards the 40 hours required by the CB-IR, despite me not having taken the test?" then the answer is yes. If the question was "Can I build more hours under IFR towards that 40 without an instructor?" then the answer, as Genghis says, is no. Any such further credit must be using a rating that permits flight under IFR.

[S-Works]

Unless you have a UK CPL, in which case you *may* have IR(R) privileges - I've been told I do, but have never managed to get a clear answer about what I have to do to be considered current in those privileges (and keep my own IR(R) current, so it's irrelevant to me personally.)

You only have it embedded in your CPL if you have an old UK CPL not a JAR/EASA one and as I recall you only did yours a couple of years ago so won't have any grandfather rights.

[felixflyer]

Thanks guys, that's cleared things up.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by bose-x

You only have it embedded in your CPL if you have an old UK CPL not a JAR/EASA one and as I recall you only did yours a couple of years ago so won't have any grandfather rights.

As the original question has been answered. ..

My CPL is about 7 years old - so was done under JAR.

When the EASA transfer happened, I paid the extra £35 for a separate UK CPL as well as the new EASA one. When I compared the two shiny new licences I noticed that my IR (R) was only listed on the EASA CPL, and not on my UK licence.

I queried that with the CAA who told me that it wasn't listed on the UK CPL as those privileges were automatically embedded in a UK professional licence.

They didn't expand further, and as my IR (R) has always been current since, I've not inquired further.

G

[Whopity]

Unless you have a UK CPL, in which case you *may* have IR(R) privileges - I've been told I do, but have never managed to get a clear answer about what I have to do to be considered current in those privileges (and keep my own IR(R) current, so it's irrelevant to me personally.)

A UK CPL did not have the limitations that were in both the UK PPL and the BCPL prohibiting IFR flight. The privileges of the IMC rating were to counter those limitations. There was never any currency requirement for a CPL holder.
ANO Schedule 8:

United Kingdom Licences
SECTION 1
Aeroplane pilots
Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplanes)
Minimum age:
18 years
Privileges:
(1) The holder of a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplanes) is entitled—
(a) to exercise the privileges of a United Kingdom Private Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplanes) which includes an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes) and a night rating (aeroplanes) or night qualification (aeroplane);

In the last ANO amendment there was a subtle change in the privileges of a UK PPL holder from:

(e) unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane), fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of such an aeroplane flying in Class A, B or C airspace in circumstances which require compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules;
(f) unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of such an aeroplane flying in Class D or E airspace in circumstances which require compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules; or

to:

(d) to fly as pilot in command of such an aeroplane under Instrument Flight Rules where the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes);

Thus eliminating the privilege to fly IFR in F or G airspace without any additional qualification.