My main worry is that we won't end up with an attainable IR. For *most* people, and attainable IR is one that doesn't cost as much as a decent car, and can be done in 4 weeks.
People cite the FAA example and they are right to do so. For example the co-owner of my aeroplane wants an IR, so we've decided to do the following. We'll put the aeroplane on the N reg - at no great cost as it is being done at the same time as a repair. Then a friend of mine who is a Captain flying from Bournemouth, who happens to also hold all FAA ratings will train my buddy in our aeroplane ( in return for some free time in our aeroplane when he wants). As I also hold an FAA IR we can go off places, him flying, me safety pilot so he can build his experience and log the hours. When he is at a suitable level we'll go off to the USA for a week for him to finish.
We don't regard the week in the USA as a hassle, we'll load up with avionics and cheap spare parts and bring them back to the UK
He was originally going to do the IMCr but due to this current chit chat that is no longer an option as far as he's concerned. It is not an option to do the JAA Ir, not because of cost, but because of time and hassle factor, the medical factor and the "approved FTO" limitation. As it is he bought the King DVD set and has already worked through most of it, and I reckon if he took the FAA exam now, he'd pass....
Shame really, that we have to re-register our aeroplane to a foreign registry just so we can fly IFR. We'd be more than happy to leave it on the G reg but when all is said and done, to convert me to the JAA IR and for him to get the JAA IR would pay for a G500 installation.....rather than simply a G430.