So they do see a need for their pilots to be instrument rated, to the tune of £700k. I’d be inclined to agree that any person flying an IFR equipped modern twin at night in marginal VFR should have an IR and the experience to go with it. I accept that those with an IR are more likely to willingly take themselves IMC by accepting the ILS in the ‘back pocket’ as a more commonplace event but if they are appropriately experienced, qualified, and have been diligent in their pre-flight planning there should be no degradation in safety. However, a newly IR’d pilot is neither likely to be experienced or complaint for SP IFR (short of the 100hrs IFR mandated by EASA Part CAT, is this mirrored in the PAOC?). This takes me full circle to my first point, is this a job for a commander who is new to the twin world and night ops?