Originally Posted by
flyme273
As mentioned, its the Competency-based IR. A relatively new European rating that allows en-route use of Airways and in IMC. Requires quite a lot of training. Not intended to allow approaches/ Star /Sid and that's where the problem arises. Having arrived at destination what is the CB-IR pilot intended to do? With a Garmin magic box and coupled auto-camel the route to a safe landing is obvious. Flyme.
Incorrect, it's not a new rating. It's a new route to obtain a rating that has existed for many many years.
The new rating that allows IFR/IMC en-route but not approaches is the EIR, or En-Route Instrument Rating. Same theory, but only the en-route part of the IR skill test (checkride to North Americans). Yes, I agree, a lot of work, for very little capability - a really silly idea, unsurprisingly not adopted very widely.
G