Hola,
I have a JAA PPL w/ IMCr due for renewal (the licence that is) in May 2014. I also have FAA CPL/IR, and fly an N reg in Euroland. I have just been reading some of the stuff regarding the IMCr and IR(R) and have a couple of Q's.
The CAA statement here
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/2330/Revis...2012%20_v3.pdf says that the holder of an IR(R) will have the same privileges as a IMCR holder in UK airspace - so shoot approaches, flying an Airspace class D and below IFR.
My question is two fold....first, it seems to me that I am better to swap my licence to a part FCL licence sooner rather than later, as I understand that if done after April 2014, then I would be limited to Non EASA aircraft (whatever they are)? Is this correct?
Secondly the way I understood an IR(R) is that it allowed IFR enroute, but no approach capability. With an IMCR issued IR(R), does this hold true in Europe? So in UK airspace, I would be limited to IFR in Class D and below, but can shoot approaches, but in EASA airspace, I would have no airspace limit, but cannot shoot approaches? Or is this IR only valid in the UK airspace?
Seems kind of confusing to have two IR(R)'s labeled the same, but with differing privileges?
If the second point is true, is there any way to convert my FAA IR to an EASA IR(R) but not restricted to UK only airspace?
TIA....