Hi
I use to work at the CAA issuing licences, and most of what is said on this thread is correct.
Not sure where some people are getting 6.3 or 7 hours for a MEP course from however.
Anyone want some more advice, feel free to PM me, and I'll give you my number and a good time to call (free of charge
)
It's been two years since I was there, but still remember all that nonsense.
For the record after obtaining my JAR PPL I did a FAA IR on a single. I did this because it counted towards my 150 hour building (I thought those hours were more valuable then simply burning holes in the sky). It knocks off 10 hours of the 25 hour CPL course, and reduces the IR course to a minimum of 15 hours. The FAA IR is cheaper then the hours you saved on the conversions so in my opinion well worth doing- although don't expect to do the conversions in minimum hours. I did CPL is 19, and IR in 30.
All the best
VJW