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Old 22nd Dec 2008, 12:05
  #19 (permalink)  
IO540
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
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Julian, I am not sure you would knock off the FAA IR in just 2 weeks if you have zero instrument experience.

I did it in 2 weeks (26hrs total dual time) but I had ~ 500hrs, incl ~ 80hrs IMC time, and the IMC Rating from about 4 years previously. It was damned hard work and I was totally knackered every day. Yet, before starting, I considered myself to be a competent instrument pilot, able to fly any approach straight off the plate, and fully capable of European airway flight and procedures.

My estimate for a totally ab initio FAA IR would be 4-6 weeks.

What seems to be a very common path for owner-pilots I know personally is

UK PPL
UK IMCR
FAA PPL/IR (you get full credit for all your previous training on this)
Buy an N-reg plane

If N-reg is not available / not desired then

UK PPL
UK IMCR
FAA PPL/IR (you get full credit for all your previous training on this)
JAA IR (you get ~ 35hrs flying time credit for your FAA IR but still have to sit all 7 writtens)

offers a pretty cost effective route which I know some people are doing around now.
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