f900EX.
I was never even two years ago keen on the idea of saving the IMC rating preferring every effort was put into getting a more achievable IR
50% of FAA private pilots hold FAA IR s
5% of European private pilots hold IRs
the French have an atrocious VFR safety record we have a much better record put down to our IMCR which demonstrates that some instrument training and approach capability is a big plus to the private VFR pilot.
Many studies have been carried out comparing FAA IR safety records compared to JAA IR safety records !
conclusion ? There is no difference
the only difference is the ease of achieving one against the other
Private pilots tend to be working people with family commitments who do not have the time or inclination to spend months studying exams.
Hence a IR based on the FAA system would encourage pilots into proper IRs which in turn would lead to better safety levels in Europe.
this would also lead more students to the doors of the hard hit training organisations so win win all round.
My problems with an FAA ATP and type ratings are different if the requirement for dual licensing came into force without a sensible conversion route for me!
But that is a different problem to this thread
Pace