IFR is easier than VFR, IFR in controlled airspace is even easier. As long as its preplanned. Single pilot no autopilot ain't the place to be mucking about trying to find plates and constructing a IFR plog on the hoof.
The plates issue is never ending in my experence.
The whole process of keeping the documentation legal for a IFR flight legal is a bloody nightmare with updates etc.
If its a school aircraft and they are provided. Always check that the ones you want are actually there. Sod law states that someone will have forgotten to replace them after using them. And this not only happens in SEPs, I can assure you that everyday somewhere in the UK a base captain is having a witch hunt to trying find a set of missing plates which are on someones kneeboard.
The AIS website is a brillant resource so it doesn't need to cost a fortune getting and keeping up to date your own set for your homebase + div. Which is the most likely ones you will want to press onto. And if you have them on board anyway it allows you to skip the queue in front of the other VFR traffic by asking for a IFR recovery. At Leeds I used to save at least 10mins when it was busy by not having to join the circuit queue and get slotted in between the IFR inbounds. All for 6 quid.
Edited to add.
Personally I think the IR has a little bit more behind it than meets the eye. It is the last point that the CAA has total control over your training. Not only is it a check on your ability to fly on Instruments but is also a proffesional check. I know its not billed as that. But they do take a look at the over all picture of the pilot gawd help you if you turn up in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Its the last fence before you can realistically carry fare paying pax for a commercial pilot. Unfortunatly the PPL world suffer because of this. BTW 55 hours is way low for what the rating actually lets you do. As my IR examiner said before handing over the cert. "This bit of paper allows you to fly into Heathrow single pilot rekon you up for it?" My answer was "No i think i need a bit more experence before trying that thanks". He then said "correct reply" signed the cert and walked off. And you may be experenced instrument pilot and I have no doudt are safe. Unfortunatly some experenced FAA instrument pilots do struggle to up there game to the intial pass. A combination of RT, reduced tolerances the anal retentive attention to detail. Which has to all be maintained for a 2.5 hour flight. The IR renewal test is a breeze compared to the first one.
Last edited by mad_jock; 25th October 2005 at 12:02.