the way a "structured IR course" fits in with the PIC requirment for the (f)ATPL.
A PPL holder only needs 50 hours X Ctry PIC and a Night Qualification to embark on an IR. The time gained on the IR course counts towards the 150 hours needed to start the CPL and the 200 total hours needed to qualify for a CPL, you still need the 100 hours PIC, but if you do the CPL first, then the IR it takes at least 250 hours; reversing the order can save up to 40 hours total time. (At £140/hr =£5600)