Well, does anyone know the answer? Just an opinion would be interesting.
At the moment as I understand it a pilot with an ATPL including a multi-crew IR cannot exercise the privilages in a single crew a/c, even if he is in current practice on type, held a single crew IR but not renewed, except that the ATPL includes the privilages of an IMC rating.
A pilot with a single crew IR flying say a Bandit could quite legally jump in a C172 for the first time and fly in airways||
One other point to consider, when the ATPL holders licence expires, if he replaces it with a JAA licence, (perhaps at the behest of his employer) he will LOSE the IMC rating privilages.
So what you might say. Well the ex instructor now airline pilot still instructing part-time will be faced with having to obtain a single crew instrument qualification to continue to teach the UK IMC rating, even if he never intends to fly in actual IMC.