Originally Posted by
bentleg
PIFR has the big advantage that you can just do the FPA's that you need/want - tailor it to your needs. You may not need ILS, if so dont do it.
The CIR can also be tailored to your specific needs. The only requirements are that you gain endorsements on either the VOR or the NDB. It is perfectly possible to get a CIR endorsed for NDB only. If you dont want ILS, you dont need to get it. (But please get RNAV.)
Incidentally, there are no endorsements required under a CIR for SID and STAR - the holder of a CIR is automatically qualified to fly them. If you then transfer to a PIFR, you automagically gain those endorsements on your new rating.
As far a recency goes under PIFR, the CASA requirement for a two yearly AFR is a bit slack. Many places mandate the CAO 40.2.1 recency requirements and I agree with that.
Who mandates them? Flying schools? If you're exercising the privileges of your PIFR, you are flying privately, and not bound by anyones Ops Manual except your own personal SOPs. I'm the first to agree that the more recent you are, the safer you are, but the only "place" able to mandate recency requirements is the regulator.
For the theory, it's a good idea to do IREX as it will cover you for all FPA's under PIFR.
A PIFR examination will also cover you for the FPAs you're doing - the better reason for doing IREX is it covers you for a CIR down the track, should you decide to start out with PIFR and later upgrade to CIR. Even if you dont think you'll ever need it, it is worthwhile doing for this reason.