Looks like this is the consensus, right?
IR "lite" to be used in combination with a PPL:
- Should have the ability to execute a full IFR flight "in the system", including departure, en-route, arrival and approach in all classes of airspace (except RVSM airspace).
- Students should be able to train for this IR within the club environment, no mandatory groundschool for instance, no FTO requirements.
- One or just a very few ground exams, preferably administrable in the club environment.
- If there are minimum flight hours requirements, existing training/qualifications (IMC!) should be accepted towards that requirement under certain circumstances.
- Vastly reduced ground school topics - only the things applicable to a PPL/IR.
- Medical class II sufficient?
Acceptable limitations to warrant the reduction in requirements vs. the full IR:
- Private flight only. Even if the holder of the IR also holds a CPL, CPL privileges cannot be used while under IFR?
- SEP/MEP classes only. For SET/MET/TR aircraft, a full IR would be required.
- No RVSM airspace, no Oceanic airspace?
Furthermore:
- Would it be OK if this were an EASA (non-ICAO) license, only valid within EASA countries? I personally would not mind that.
- Would it be OK to limit the IR "lite" only to precision approaches, with non-precision approaches being allowed after specific sign-off from an instructor?