Correct. To start at type rating you will only need a valid ME/IR you won't need a current or valid MEP.
However last year there was talk of introducing an alternate rule that if the IR renewal or revalidation was done in the sim then the next renewal or revalidation would have to be done on the aircraft. The following renewal can then be done in the sim, therefore subsequent renewals / and or revalidations have to alternate between the aircraft and sim.
Therefore when renewing the ME/IR in the aircraft you can at the same time get the MEP signed off hence if the new rule is introduced/implemented you will by default be renewing the MEP every second IR renewal.
There was alot of talk about this last year but I never found out if this rule was ever implemented (since obtained a multi crew IR so didn't need to renew the SPA IR hence not sure about the rule change).
Last edited by portsharbourflyer; 27th May 2008 at 15:51.