IR compared to IMC?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Yorkshire
Ok I take it from that that someone who is wanting to end up a full ATPL would not bother with the IMC.
I was reading with interest the other thread about where the IMC is likely to end up.
Liam
I was reading with interest the other thread about where the IMC is likely to end up.
Liam
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: 2nm due S EGLK
Quite a lot of study and some exams, about 40 hours of practical training and about £10k.
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Jersey
And a Class 1 vs Class 2 medical making the former totally inaccessible to anyone who can't pass a Class 1 medical.
Upto The Buffers

Joined: Apr 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: Leeds/Bradford
I know plenty of guys flying for the airlines who got IMC ratings during their hour-building. The IMC conveys substantial privileges for not that much money, and when kept current is a great addition to a PPL.
A bit bumpy at 1500ft? No problem; up through the clouds and smooth as silk.
Caught in the rain en route and door seals not 100%? See above.
Unforecast weather making approach a no-no at your destination and need to divert to an ILS equipped airport in poor viz? Not a problem.
The IMC transformed my flying and cut the amount of cancelled trips by about 75%. I once took off from a small grass strip in 2000m viz, entered cloud at 800ft, came out on top at FL055 and sat in the sun all the way home to break cloud at 350ft on the ILS at my home field.
It's well worth doing. Only caveats are no class A airspace, UK only, and 1800m min viz for take-off/landing.
Just make sure you remember how ice works if you plan to use it in the colder months!
A bit bumpy at 1500ft? No problem; up through the clouds and smooth as silk.
Caught in the rain en route and door seals not 100%? See above.
Unforecast weather making approach a no-no at your destination and need to divert to an ILS equipped airport in poor viz? Not a problem.
The IMC transformed my flying and cut the amount of cancelled trips by about 75%. I once took off from a small grass strip in 2000m viz, entered cloud at 800ft, came out on top at FL055 and sat in the sun all the way home to break cloud at 350ft on the ILS at my home field.
It's well worth doing. Only caveats are no class A airspace, UK only, and 1800m min viz for take-off/landing.
Just make sure you remember how ice works if you plan to use it in the colder months!
Last edited by Shunter; 11th February 2008 at 20:07. Reason: Ice...
Formerly HWD
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Indochina
Ok I take it from that that someone who is wanting to end up a full ATPL would not bother with the IMC.

Joined: Jan 1999
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From: north of barlu
IMC ...........a good first step
For me the IMC was a lot of hard work because it was somthing that was totaly new, however it was education at flying club prices.
The IR was just a matter of bringing my IF skills up to the IR standard, I had to learn very little more........... just lots of practice all charged at professional flying rates.
My advice would to be to do the IMC as providing the training is good you will be able to make all your mistakes at flying club prices, one or two mistakes when flying a twin at professional rates to pay for the IMC twice over.
The IR was just a matter of bringing my IF skills up to the IR standard, I had to learn very little more........... just lots of practice all charged at professional flying rates.
My advice would to be to do the IMC as providing the training is good you will be able to make all your mistakes at flying club prices, one or two mistakes when flying a twin at professional rates to pay for the IMC twice over.
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: 2nm due S EGLK
Not quite correct for an IR. Class 2 medical with Class 1 audiogram - hearing standards
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: UK,Twighlight Zone
But that does not make it Class 1 medical standards.
IR requires a Class 2 with an audiogram conducted by your normal AME. The audiogram is conducted to Class 1 standards because they are the only standards for hearing.
Night qualification is nothing to do with medical other than the colour vision requirements.
IR requires a Class 2 with an audiogram conducted by your normal AME. The audiogram is conducted to Class 1 standards because they are the only standards for hearing.
Night qualification is nothing to do with medical other than the colour vision requirements.
Joined: May 2001
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From: 75N 16E
You require a night rating/qualification to aquire an (JAA) IR.
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: UK,Twighlight Zone
I would be very surprised if that was the case. How do you have an IR with no licence to attach it to? The IR is a ratung not a licence. It may be that they processed the paperwork pending the issue of a licence to attach it to.
Yes you do night a night rating/qualification to get an IR.
Yes you do night a night rating/qualification to get an IR.
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: 2nm due S EGLK
Are you sure?
An applicant for a modular IR(A) course shall be the
holder of a PPL(A) or a CPL(A), either licence to include
the privileges to fly by night, issued in accordance with
ICAO Annex 1. In addition, applicants must hold a
Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s Licence.
holder of a PPL(A) or a CPL(A), either licence to include
the privileges to fly by night, issued in accordance with
ICAO Annex 1. In addition, applicants must hold a
Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s Licence.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 164
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From: 2nm due S EGLK
But that does not make it Class 1 medical standards.
IR requires a Class 2 with an audiogram conducted by your normal AME. The audiogram is conducted to Class 1 standards because they are the only standards for hearing.
Night qualification is nothing to do with medical other than the colour vision requirements.
IR requires a Class 2 with an audiogram conducted by your normal AME. The audiogram is conducted to Class 1 standards because they are the only standards for hearing.
Night qualification is nothing to do with medical other than the colour vision requirements.
My point was simply that there is a lot of talk about "let's try and get the IMC rating replaced by an accessible IR", but (putting aside the time/money constraints), this will still be inaccessible to some pilots who currently hold an IMC rating.
Therefore, my response to the original poster that the differences aren't just down to training, etc., but that it is possible to obtain one but not the other on medical grounds. (Audiogram also being one of those grounds, of course.)
Joined: May 2001
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From: 75N 16E
An applicant for a modular IR(A) course shall be the
holder of a PPL(A) or a CPL(A), either licence to include
the privileges to fly by night, issued in accordance with
ICAO Annex 1.
holder of a PPL(A) or a CPL(A), either licence to include
the privileges to fly by night, issued in accordance with
ICAO Annex 1.



