Thanks for all of your responses. Having asked around a bit on this, I am coming to the conclusion that the actual skills test for revalidation and renewal are the same, the only difference being that every second reval can be in a sim and there is compulsory training before renewal.
Nick, I looked at AMC and GM to part FCL regarding the suggestion that if the rating has lapsed by more than 1 year there is a minimum of 3 training sessions before the check. However it does say "The amount of refresher training needed should be determined on a case-by-case basis by the ATO" and also the training requirements listed are described as "guidance". I don't think I will reach this situation, but if I hadn't done any instrument flying for 2 years, it doesn't seem unreasonable to imagine that 3 training sessions may be required anyway. I just hope that some of them could be in the sim to keep the cost down!
Last edited by Potential; 27th Sep 2012 at 19:40.