However I am not sure what you mean by the difference 200/800 hours, I would like to understand? If one are an FI, you need 200 hours to instruct, if no FI you can instruct if you have 800 hours? I thought one would have to be FI, am I wrong?
To Instruct for an IR a Pilot would need either:
1) An IRI (Instrument Rating Instructor) Rating which requires 800 hours of IFR experience, completion of an IRI Course and passing an Assessment of Competence.
or
2) To add IRI Privileges to an existing FI Rating which requires 200 hours of IFR experience, completion of an IRI Course and passing an Assessment of Competence.
It sounds tempting then to do the CB-IR theory now to start flying IR asap as it will be a while before I can do the ATPL exams.
Just passing the theory does not allow you to fly IFR, you would also need to take the 40 Hour CB-IR course (I am assuming you have no prior IFR experience) and to pass the IR Skill Test.
I have a PPL, am currently studying the ATPL theory to be able to become FI
I am just wondering why you are even considering taking the CB-IR theory as you are already studying for the ATPL exams?
ATPL exams would be valid for 36 months for both CPL and IR issue, indefinitely for FI (PPL+) Privileges and indefinitely (provided a valid IR was held in the previous 7 years) for ATPL issue - all possibilities that you have mentioned in previous posts.
The CB-IR theory exams are only valid for IR or EIR issue.
To answer a previous question:
An IRI who had only taken the CB-IR theory exams is fully entitled to Instruct for any IR (regular, modular, CB or EIR).
An FI who had only taken the CB-IR theory exams could not Instruct for an IR at all. This is because, unless CPL (or ATPL) level knowledge has been demonstrated the FI is only allowed to Instruct for the LAPL.