Ok, I'm being told I need to do 15 hours with an FAA IR instructor before I'm allowed to do the FAA IR test, which is why I'm thinking I could just do a FAA CPL without the IR since I already have an FAA IR on my private certificate. I could really do without the cost of 15 hours approved IR training. Just to confirm I have a FAA IR on my 61.75. I thought an instrument rating was an instrument rating, I've not heard of a distinction between a commercial instrument rating and a private instrument rating before, assuming the rating is valid on the type being flown. ps. I'm no expert so please correct me if I'm wrong!