RVR,
Re IR, start Monday, and it will come as no surprise that it's with PAT.
Re the 5-10 year thing, Gatwick's line on that is that the renewal with a Staff examiner is identical to the initial test, so no gain there. The section in the examiners handbook will be removed at the next edition, allegedly.
When I'm down there on Monday, I'm going to have a word with the 'Staff' examiners to see what there take on it is.
I'll keep you posted.
PS