MECIR

[ryda]

Say I get a MECIR on June 2008, would I still be able to do the renewal test instead of the initial issue if its within 2 years (June 2010)?

Also, if I get endorsed on the LLZ, ILS, NDB, VOR, do I have to do all of them in the renewal test?

Thanks.

[Capt Fathom]

What's the point? .... if you're going to wait 2 years to renew it.
Why not just do the test in 2 years from now! :confused:

[LM82]

http://www.casa.gov.au/download/orders/cao40/400201.pdf

cao 40.2.1

12.3 Where an instrument rating has expired for a period in excess of 12 months, an applicant may qualify for issue of a rating by passing the instrument rating test applicable to the initial issue of an instrument rating. Initial issue means all navaids again as well.

if you have done your me-cir this month i would assume you were up to speed with this section of the cao's!

why dont you just renew it?

[Cap'n Arrr]

If you only get endorsed on the ILS/LLZ, VOR and NDB, then if you do a RENEWAL (not a re-issue due to a lapse) then you have to do an NPA (in this case an NDB) and the ILS will cover you for LLZ and VOR as well. If you do an LLZ, then this will cover you for ILS/VOR, however you MUST do an ILS next year (i.e. cannot do the LLZ trick 2 years in a row). VOR does not cover ILS/LLZ.

[PlankBlender]

Capt Fathom, many employers require multiple MECIR renewals, so doing the MECIR as early as possible in your pilot career makes a lot of sense, even if you end up doing a few hours in a sim before a renrewal to get back into the swing of things..

[ryda]

I am doing the rating because its included in the course and also what plank said.

I see in the CAO's it says: "If your instrument rating has been allowed to expire you may renew it within one year of expiry by passing an instrument rating renewal test. If your instrument rating has been allowed to expire for one year or more, you must pass an instrument rating test similar to an initial issue test to have it renewed."

To my understanding that means that one year after expiry which is 2010 you may still do the renewal test. Is that correct? because I dont want to do a re-issue test.

[Mach E Avelli]

In practice, there is hardly any difference between the initial and a renewal test. Just a few questions more on the oral and a couple of easy enough flying exercises. If you don't intend to fly IFR for two years, the extra flight sequences would be worth repeating anyway.
My advice is do it now if it is part of some training deal, but unless you have a job that requires it, let it run out to the full two years. It won't be cheaper or easier in two years' time, but renewing it annually when you have no use for it is an expense most guys can do without at the beginning of their careers.
The pilot shortage is about to be all over with. United Airlines are dumping 950 IFR rated pilots back into the system, Jetstar rumoured to be about to let pilots go on unpaid leave, etc etc. So it is unlikely that your first flying job will require a current IR.