Many thanks again for all the helpful advice guys, much appreciated.
In this case, I think the best option then would be to go for the IMC rating as soon as I acrue the hours etc after my PPL, and then hopefully work towards the CBM IR when that option becomes available.
So, if I've understood correctly, I would only technically need an additional 25 hours of training to gain an IR (with the CBM method) if I gain my IMC first? I appreciate it would probably take more hours to actually get to test standard.
Just a few questions:
- Why is it the EASA IR is so bloated compared to other ICAO IRs? I'm assuming there are, for example, perfectly safe American pilots with 40 hour IRs on their ATPLs flying American registered heavy jets in and out of EU airports. So why has it taken this long for the authorities to allow Europeans to do the same?
- Is there any benefit to taking the traditional route other than it being easier/more likely to be at test standard within the stated hours?
- If I do the 14 ATPL exams, I have 3 years after passing the last one to gain my CPL/IR. Would the CBM-IR suffice in this case to keep all the exams valid?
I appreciate there are answers in the document you linked Bookworm, I just haven't had time to read the whole pdf yet.
Thanks again for your time.
Odai.
Last edited by Odai; 26th November 2012 at 04:13.