I tried to get EASA to change the meaning of 'EIR' to 'En-Route IFR Rating' (rather than the somewhat misleading 'En-Route Instrument Rating') - because that would better describe its privileges.
The stipulations for the VFR segments are now quite clear, as are the requirements for the VFR/IFR transition points.
Nevertheless, there is a lot of ATC doubt (particularly in Ireland) about the wisdom of this rating. It does not enable the pilot to fly the STAR and and IFR approach, so there is quite some concern about arrival off-airways at a busy terminal area.
But on a nice summer's day when a pilot wants to fly on lower level airways in the en-route phase, it probably has something to offer.
UK pilots are much better placed though - they can obtain an Art4(8) authorised IR(Restricted) and in UK airspace, fly IFR outside CAS and fly IFR approaches to recommended minima - albeit more restrictive than IR minima. Then, once they've gained sufficient instrument flight time, they can convert to the IR with significant credit against the full requirements, rather than wasting time on the EIR.
A pity that the rest of Europe doesn't have such a sensible system - but the non-UK representatives told EASA that you didn't want it and that you wanted the EIR instead.......
