Most CAA's will agree that a CPL will have to be done in the same country as the CPL/ATPL theory, based on JAR-FCL 1.065 "State of licence issue". Fair enough.
However, some CAA's also require that the IR is done in the same country as the IR/ATPL theory, while others don't.
Specifically, Norwegian CAA will not allow me to take IR training elsewhere if I do my ATPL theory in Norway, while UK CAA approves this, according to
JAR-FCL 1.065 (c) (page 22 in pdf, see also statement 4 in
this quote from UK CAA)
I just called Aerodynamics Malaga, and they confirmed that lots of UK students (with UK ATPL theory) have done MEIR/MEP with them, and UK CAA approves it without question, as any another rating.
My main question is, are there other countries allowing this besides UK?
(Not just relating to Spain or Aerodynamics, but anywhere within JAA-land?)
Another question is - do the UK CAA let you guys do the MEIR/MEP in Spain/elsewhere BEFORE you do your CPL (after atpl-theory)?
Further details "for anyone interested"..
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I am currently corresponding with the Norwegian CAA's "inspector of education" regarding the possibility to do my MEIR and MEP in Spain. He tells me that they consider IR part of "basic training", and therefore the IR theory (standalone or within ATPL) and training will have to be done in the same country.
His position is that I may take the IR rating in Spain, on top of my PPL, as long as I take the standalone IR theory there as well. Norwegian CAA, being the state of my PPL issue, will then add the rating to my PPL, no questions asked, and I may procede with ATPL theory and CPL training in Norway. After being asked directly (twice) for a JAR-FCL reference to back up the "IR = basic training" interpretation, he only states that this is how they consider it, and fails to provide a valid reference.
Any further insight in this issue is much appreciated, be it FCL reference to back up "IR = basic training" or anything else related.
Please note that I am not considering the condition described in
JAR-FCL 1.065 (b), relating to agreements between two countries' CAA to let you finish whatever's left of your training elsewhere due to you moving to another country, and similar reasons. (Norwegian CAA seem to allow this)
What I'm after is experience with other countries treating IR like - just that - a
rating, and not "part of a licence", "basic training", or anything else.