EIR to CBIR

[Aware]

Looked through CAA docs, can anybody explain what you would be required to do to upgrade a EIR to CBIR is it a full test, also any idea what the skill test fee is for an EIR ? I understand its probably better to go straight for a CB IR.

[Whopity]

You will need to get an ATO to assess your experience and tell you what is required to complete the CBIR. It will include an initial IR Skill Test costing £775 ORS5 No 299 Table 12 (http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ORS5%20No%20299%20V6%20Final%20PLS.pdf) The EIR skill test will also cost you £775.

[Level Attitude]

Anyone who wants an IR, by whatever route, will be required to pass an initial IR Skill Test (and quite right too).

As well as passing the Theoretical Knowledge, a de-novo CB IR course requires a minimum of 40 hours of IF flying.

There is no 'upgrade' from an EIR to a CB IR.

Holding another Instrument Qualification, per se, gives no reduction to the CB IR requirement. However previous IF experience (either DUAL or PIC) can be 'offset' against the 40 hour requirement, up to a maximum of 25 hours.
The remaining hours must be completed at an ATO with approval to Instruct for the CB IR and it is totally up to them what, if any, reduction in the 40 hour IF requirement they will allow any candidate (a pre-course assessment flight will be required for this).

Possible options to reduce the ATO 40 hour requirement would be to undertake independent IR training, do an EIR course or do an IMCR/IR(R) course.

Very simplistically an EIR is valid throughout Europe and teaches you to fly in Airways but not Approaches, An IMCR/IR(R) is only valid in the UK, does not teach Airway flying but does teach Instrument Approaches.

[Linda Mollison]

Level Attitude says 'Holding another Instrument Qualification, per se, gives no reduction to the CB IR requirement'.

This is not true.

The EIR training can be used as credit against the CB-IR 40 hour (s/e) or 45 hour (m/e) course, as can the IMC rating, or any other ICAO IR. Any PIC IFR hours flown using the EIR, IMC or ICAO IR can also be used as credit against the CB-IR course.

All of this can reduce the CB-IR to a minimum of 10 hours.

You are right that the ATO is required to undertake a pre-course assessment but the reductions detailed above in course hours should be allowed. The pre-course assessment will give the ATO some idea of whether someone is likely to achieve standard in 10 hours, or whether they are likely to take nearer the full course hours, but not exactly how many hours they will require.


Whopity notes that the EIR skill test will cost £775. What a cheek, the same price for a test which takes half the time and is nowhere near as complex. That's the CAA for you!

[Level Attitude]

Level Attitude says 'Holding another Instrument Qualification, per se, gives no reduction to the CB IR requirement'.

This is not true.Hi Linda, I think it is true and I think you agree.

I also said: "However previous IF experience (either DUAL or PIC) can be 'offset' against the 40 hour requirement" and you said: "The EIR training can be used as credit against the CB-IR 40 hour (s/e)"

It is the training that is allowed, not the qualification.

Of course, since they have minimum course requirements before being allowed to take an Initial Test, then holding an EIR or IMCR/IR(R) does prove prior required IF training for someone who then wishes to take an 'abridged' CB IR course.

However, for example, someone who completed 8 hours of an EIR course and then stopped without having taken the Test could then, if they wished and the training was properly documented, also use those 8 hours against the 40 required for the CB IR.