cheapest EASA ME(H)IR

[szbarn]

I want to return to Europe after 10 painful years working abroad.I hear EASA is crazy about having an MEIR rating even if the job is VFR only in some cases.Which company does currently offer MEIR training at lowest cost at the moment?Can an experienced utility pilot get by without having one in the EU?

[rudestuff]

Can an experienced utility pilot get by without having one in the EU? Yes. You'll find multi engine time useful though.

[GoodGrief]

The problem with the IR in EASA land is that it is type specific with training platforms most likely being the 109 or the 135.
You have to get the type rating on the aircraft first before you can begin the actual IR training.That might be somewhere between $15k and $20k out the window if you don't fly that type ever again after training.

My advice is to get a SE IR, if at all and strike a deal with your employer to convert to ME IR while undergoing TR training for the type you'll actually fly.

[HU300CBI]

There’s a couple of good schools for this, starspeed are one I’d recommend - they should give you for info on prices types etc.

Insofar as SEIR versus MEIR, some offshore operators now don’t require a multi engine IR, and will consider a single engine. Most new entrants on the s92 or 175 are doing a heavy TR when they join so the conversation isn’t that big a deal. However, if you’re up against another applicant with an MEIR and are matched in all other respects guess who’ll get hired 😉


I don’t really know much about the onshore market, but most companies advertising jobs will likely not respond if you don’t have the minimum requirements - it’s a competitive employment marketplace for aviators at the moment.

As always research is everything, best advice is to call all the companies you’d like to work for (chat for a bit first) and ask them whether they’ll cover a single to multi conversion as part of line training. Also, gets your name in the mix for any future positions.

Hope that helps and very best I’d luck to you.

[gipsymagpie]

There's only one choice for SE IR which is Vantage Aviation on their B206. But in any case make sure your respective ATO offers the right qualification - do you want to work in Europe or the UK? Some may be able to offer both if their instructors and examiners and approvals are in both jurisdictions. However, that would likely require exams in both jurisdictions which may be prohibitive.