Can I prompt the discussion back a step.
My concern is do we want an obtainable JAA IR for the private pilot?
I have found the comments so far very interesting. It prompts me to ask who would want a PPL IR and why? It occurs to me that within the GA community, and I exclude by design commercial pilots who may fly privately, there are a reasonable number of us with current IMCs and far far fewer of us with IRs. Of the latter, it would be interesting to know how many JAA PPL IR holders there are compared with PPL FAA IR holders who fly in Europe. Of all those I beg to suggest that many with IMC ratings do not use the rating in earnest. That leaves a small group with IMC ratings or IRs who use the rating occasionally or regularly. Those who use the rating are unlikely to be operating into or out of any of our major airports regularly (not least because of the expense, but often because there are more convenient local airports to our destination). However, there are occasions when we would like to have the flexibility and security of operating in the lower airways and operating in Europe in IMC.
I suspect to be realistic that is not going to have an enormous impact on the airways infrastructure. Moreover let us not forget if the JAA or the GA community do nothing, more will migrate to operating on the N reg., thus putting the same number of movements into the system.
It seems to me that the number of private pilots who operate on the N register is proof enough that the JAA PPL IR is unduly restrictive – if that were not true why bother to pursue the FAA route which presents its own problems.
Should we be allowed into this hallowed airspace? It seems to me two themes emerge. There are those who would say that is the preserve of the commercial operators. Well, it is if we let it be. I still believe we contribute more than our share to the Government coffers who ultimately are responsible for operating the airspace – so if we can prove we are safe to be there let it be so.
And are we safe. It seems to me the old elitism enemy now sets to work. The argument seems to be we need a tougher IR than the rest of the world to keep the private pilots out! Who are you kidding? There has been much discussion on this web about the merits of the FAA IR compared its JAA counterpart. I detect there is little if any evidence to suggest a JAA IR holder is any more or less competent that one with an FAA IR.
THERE IS ONE BIG DIFFERENCE HOWEVER. PRIVATE PILOTS IN EUROPE AND IN THE STATES ARE PREPARED TO UNDERTAKE THE FAA IR TRAINING BECAUSE THEY SEE IT RELEVANT, REALISTICALLY MAINTAINABLE AND AFFORDABLE. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD AS A COMMUNITY SEEK TO HAVE INTRODUCED A JAA IR FOR THE PRIVATE PILOT THAT WOULD PERSUADE THE GA COMMUNITY TO HOLD A EUROPEAN RATING AND NOT AN FAA RATING.
Finally whilst the idea of various types of instrument ratings has merit the danger is again unduly complicating the issue. Airspace is used by two groups of operators – the private pilot and the commercial airline. We each have different needs. I suggest this should be recognised so have a pan European PPL IR for the private pilot modelled on the FAA IR – in other words a theoretical exam that cover what is necessary and relevant the syllabus for which can be covered by home study, flight training that is accessible for most, and renewal requirements that at least recognise a current pilot is as safe as any.