so it's around 25 hours in the states plus 15 here
Sounds a good bet, though remember that of the 15 hrs needed to convert the IR in the UK, 10 can be done in a sim.
In theory if you have the IMC rating and have used it in anger, ie. gained 40 hrs Instrument time or simulated instrument, you only need to do a 15 hr course with an FAA CFII who will carry out the required IFR qualifying cross countries, and endorse you as ready to take the FAA IR skills test. The writtens are a non event, you study yourself and you take the test and either pass or fail. If you fail, you have to fork out another $70 for a re-test. Theoretically you could have an IMC + 30 hrs instrument, take a 15 hr instrument course in the states or UK, get the FAA IR, then fly 10 hrs in a sim, 5 in an aircraft and gain a JAA IR. Though the big stumbling block is the ATPL grounds.
Regarding FAA X/C time, there is really no point logging X/C below 50nm, as it doesn't count for anything under the FARs [for issue of IR / CPL / ATPL etc]. Also for rating requirements, there is no need for the cross country "legs" to be completed in the same day. So if I flew from Long Beach to Sedona, stopped over night, then Sedona to Roswell, stopped over night, then Roswell to Vegas, stopped over night, then Vegas back to Long Beach, this could be counted as one Cross Country trip for the purposes of rating issue [ie "300nm from departure, 3 landings, a leg of at least 150nm" or whatever it is].
Cheers
EA
