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No one is expecting an EASA IR modelled on an FAA IR.
The Europeans would never create an IR which in their perception downgraded what they already have.
That is why I always felt that whatever would have to be based on a modular route leading to what they already have in place.
Lets be honest the biggest block to the EASA IR is time followed by cost.
A basic IR Exam designed around lower airspace and PPL requirements with the possibility of self study or completion within a 2 week full time course would cover that.
The PPL IR could then easely sit further exams to expand that IR to CPL/ATPL level.
The Medical for the PPL IR should be based on the class 2 as for any private flying.
The CPL/ATPL would require a class 1.
Coming to the flying side no one is suggesting a lowering of flying standards certainly not me. I would even go with give and take by making the flight test even tougher
The flight test is the ultimate guage of a pilots flying abilities and mental abilities to multi task and scan.
How pilots get to that point is pretty irrelevant. It maybe through years of experience it maybe through amazing abilities but the flight test with a designated examiner is the ultimate test for the IR.
Yes there should be a structured training programme but far more adaptable to the ability of the individual pilot than at present.
A pre test test with a sign off for the Real thing would weed out the hopefuls but not ready pilots who would be time wasting by going for the real thing.
The IMCR has shown the safety benefits to the VFR private pilot. It will never be accepted in Europe but it is a model to be used to fight for better things. With our liability culture no one would dare remove it in the UK SO what are we fighting for?
I wish half the efforts put into the IMCR had been directed at the PPL IR then we may have been in a far stronger position than now.
Pace