However I agree it's not an IR
It isn't an IR because the IFR privileges are UK only, no Class A, 1800m vis. But the difference between the two can be pretty damn small - for a pilot who puts in the effort.
I was flying ~ 700nm Eurocontrol routes in Europe with just my IMCR, with an IR instructor in the RHS to make it legal, and all I had to get clued up on were
- working out valid Eurocontrol routings
- SIDs/STARs (easy - just read the plate and remember the vertical clearance stuff)
That was about it. The rest is just flying, and type specific knowledge. The skill set which is required to fly IFR in any CAS is suprisingly small. But we must not destroy the IR mythology; a lot of professional pilot self esteem and jobs are hanging on it
