I share exactly the same view as you Line_book. I've thought a lot about this too, and I think getting all the theory out of the way, and quickly, has to be the way to go. If the big companies are suddenly short of pilots, luck may prevail in our favour. If not, I might possibly just about find a way to raise that sort of cash over 3 years, and then take the IR(H) just before my exam credits timeout. At least that's what I'm thinking!