Originally Posted by
BillieBob
Whopity's essential point is correct - training for the [EASA] night rating may not be done out with an ATO.
I agree with that statement it is a fact. It was the further extension to that which I disagreed with. It is worth having a CRI and an FI(A) in order to increase my flexibility to train inside an RF/ATO (for which I am HoT) and outside an RF/ATO.
I conduct quite a bit of training preparing IMC/IR(R) holders for their CB-IR ATO training which is not done under an ATO at all and it works out far more cost effective to prepare for the ATO CB-IR training. Out of the 20 or so pilots (a small cohort I appreciate) all have been better off for preparing for the ATO phase of their IR training via the CB-IR training route.