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Competency based Instrument rating

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Competency based Instrument rating

Old 2nd Jan 2020, 17:28
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Competency based Instrument rating

Hi,

Happy new year to all!

I am a PPL with around 160 hours total time and a lapsed IMC-R (restricted IR). Thinking about going all out and doing the IR. Looking at what/who/where for the ground exams/school and was wondering what people's experiences are of this and what they would recommend? I am in no rush, and would do a few hours a week until they're all done. I am well used to studying independently, and want to do only the bare minimum at an actual ground school, with the rest at home. I have seen there is CATS at Luton, I don't know much about ground schools at Stapleford and Wycombe, or anywhere else in the North London (ish) vicinity.

What would you recommend?

Thanks
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 10:41
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I would suggest to start with the theory e.g. Bristol Groundschool. Then do as much as possible on flight sims (PC and approved sims). Go flying with your friends to learn procedures, etc. Then for the practical training consider the airfield (ILS equipped) access and costs. Fields like LFAV and LFQT have cheap landing fees, good access and full RNAV, ILS.

I did my IR in 1984 by correspondence course (pre-PC) with Oxford. Then a week residential for 4 days revision and test on the Friday. Theory required circa 1 year (part-time). Practical training was at the High Wycombe sim, Piccadilly hotel sim and Stansted airport. Passed at total 203 hours (min was 200 hrs).

Good luck, Flyme
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 12:36
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Hello Gantshill,

I can guess what the "IR" is in the thread title, but I don't know what the "CB" is (I'm guessing it's not circuit breaker). Would you please edit your post title to be a bit more specific so other posters may understand from the title what you'd like to discuss...

Thanks, Pilot DAR
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 14:12
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Originally Posted by Pilot DAR
Hello Gantshill,

I can guess what the "IR" is in the thread title, but I don't know what the "CB" is (I'm guessing it's not circuit breaker). Would you please edit your post title to be a bit more specific so other posters may understand from the title what you'd like to discuss...

Thanks, Pilot DAR
Competence Based, it's an EASA course that provides a theoretically more streamlined route to obtaining the full IR, with a bit less of the traditional (in Europe) nauseating exam loading. To be fair, it's a term that most people in Europe will be familiar with, but I can see why it's alien to people outside Europe.

In essence it reduces the exam / theory load from about seven times what's required for the FAA IR, to about four times.

G
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 14:23
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As mentioned, its the Competency-based IR. A relatively new European rating that allows en-route use of Airways and in IMC. Requires quite a lot of training. Not intended to allow approaches/ Star /Sid and that's where the problem arises. Having arrived at destination what is the CB-IR pilot intended to do? With a Garmin magic box and coupled auto-camel the route to a safe landing is obvious. Flyme.
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 14:26
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Originally Posted by flyme273
As mentioned, its the Competency-based IR. A relatively new European rating that allows en-route use of Airways and in IMC. Requires quite a lot of training. Not intended to allow approaches/ Star /Sid and that's where the problem arises. Having arrived at destination what is the CB-IR pilot intended to do? With a Garmin magic box and coupled auto-camel the route to a safe landing is obvious. Flyme.
Incorrect, it's not a new rating. It's a new route to obtain a rating that has existed for many many years.

The new rating that allows IFR/IMC en-route but not approaches is the EIR, or En-Route Instrument Rating. Same theory, but only the en-route part of the IR skill test (checkride to North Americans). Yes, I agree, a lot of work, for very little capability - a really silly idea, unsurprisingly not adopted very widely.

G
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 14:48
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Thanks G, that wasn't so hard, now that we all know what we're talking about!
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 14:57
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Originally Posted by flyme273
As mentioned, its the Competency-based IR. A relatively new European rating that allows en-route use of Airways and in IMC. Requires quite a lot of training. Not intended to allow approaches/ Star /Sid and that's where the problem arises. Having arrived at destination what is the CB-IR pilot intended to do? With a Garmin magic box and coupled auto-camel the route to a safe landing is obvious. Flyme.
This is completely wrong. There is only one 'full' EASA IR and one EASA IR test. There are actually 8 ways to get in a position to take the EASA IR test and CB 'routes' account for 3 of them. Think modular Vs integrated - it's the same licence.
Depending on which route you follow, you can take anywhere from 0 to 14 exams - (yes, you can get an EASA IR with zero exams!) Most will still take all 14 exams if they're planning on going 'all the way'.
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 15:05
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As it happens I'm just setting myself up with the zero exams route at the moment.

In case anybody doesn't know, if you have an EASA PPL or CPL, an ICAO (e.g. FAA) IR, and a minimum of 50hrs PiC IFR, then you can present for the EASA IR skill test without having to take any new written exams. As I'm in the happy position of an EASA CPL and an FAA IR, plus the hours, that's what I'm doing in the next few months. The only thing I lose from this is the ability to go from CPL to ATPL, but as that isn't on my personal game plan, I'm fine. If (unlikely) that ever changes, I'll be back to school for a while to do the 14 EASA ATPL writtens.

(Clearly if I present straightaway for an EASA IRT I'll fail it, so I will need instruction, I just don't need that to be within any formal framework, just by a suitably experienced grownup.)

G
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Old 3rd Jan 2020, 20:29
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Originally Posted by flyme273
I would suggest to start with the theory e.g. Bristol Groundschool. Then do as much as possible on flight sims (PC and approved sims). Go flying with your friends to learn procedures, etc. Then for the practical training consider the airfield (ILS equipped) access and costs. Fields like LFAV and LFQT have cheap landing fees, good access and full RNAV, ILS.

I did my IR in 1984 by correspondence course (pre-PC) with Oxford. Then a week residential for 4 days revision and test on the Friday. Theory required circa 1 year (part-time). Practical training was at the High Wycombe sim, Piccadilly hotel sim and Stansted airport. Passed at total 203 hours (min was 200 hrs).

Good luck, Flyme
Thanks, this seems like some actionable advice. Would anyone have and care to share their experiences of various distance-based learning course/materials? E.g. CATS v Bristol etc?
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Old 4th Jan 2020, 06:51
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I did my CPL TK with CATS ten years ago. Superb material, nice people, very shambolic in terms of their organisation of anything, fair prices, near 100% pass rate.

Is it still the same? No idea.

G
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Old 4th Jan 2020, 17:03
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You need an ATO for two reasons: To teach you the stuff and to sign you off to take the exams. I went with CATS for the sign off because they were the cheapest, but I studied using Bgsonline, Google and YouTube.
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Old 4th Jan 2020, 17:58
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On the no exams front be prepared for an FAA style Oral that will last a number of hours. As an IRE we are briefed to THOROUGHLY test the candidates knowledge. Also remember that the no exam route restricts you to PPL privileges even if you hold a CPL.
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Old 4th Jan 2020, 21:44
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Originally Posted by S-Works
Also remember that the no exam route restricts you to PPL privileges even if you hold a CPL.
​​​​​​ Have you got a reference for that?
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Old 4th Jan 2020, 22:15
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Originally Posted by rudestuff
​​​​​​ Have you got a reference for that?
That sounds extremely surprising, yes, references please.

Yes, the FAA style oral is well known, but PPL privileges is news to me, and I'd looked into this in some detail. So far as I have seen, an IR is an IR is an IR once issued, the only exception is the need for the ATPL writtens to go from CPL to ATPL, or operate mandatory multi-crew.

G
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Old 5th Jan 2020, 02:55
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From here: https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-ind...rument-rating/

ICAO licence holders with 50 hours Pilot in Command in Instrument Flight Rules

You must be an ICAO licence holder in current flying practice and have a minimum of 50 hours Pilot in Command in Instrument Flight Rules.

You must hold a current and valid:
  • ICAO licence with a validating medical
  • Instrument rating
As you are claiming credits based on your ICAO licence, you will need to comply with our verification process, complete form SRG2142 and pay the administrative fee.

Please read the guidance on verification of a third country ICAO licence.

Theoretical knowledge training

None

Theoretical knowledge examination

This is assessed as part of the instrument rating skills test

Single engine, single pilot instrument ratings

You must complete a skill test for the IR with a suitably qualified Part FCL examiner in the aeroplane

Multi engine, single pilot instrument ratings

At least 15 hours of the 50 hour requirement for Pilot in Command in instrument flight rules must have been flown in a multi engine aeroplane.

Skill test

You must complete a skill test for the IR with a suitably qualified Part FCL examiner in the aeroplane.
Absolutely nothing about subsequent restriction of privileges. (Although a useful reminder of the need to ensure FAA licence validation.)

G
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Old 5th Jan 2020, 17:22
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I have a licence sat on my desk from a CB IR candidate that has just come back with the restricted to PPL privileges printed in the restrictions column.......
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Old 5th Jan 2020, 18:24
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A Spanish licence, perchance?

At all the EASA meetings I've attended, it's always been the Spanish representatives who seem to have the least idea about the ACTUAL privileges included in the Aircrew Regulation.
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Old 5th Jan 2020, 19:18
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Originally Posted by BEagle
A Spanish licence, perchance?

At all the EASA meetings I've attended, it's always been the Spanish representatives who seem to have the least idea about the ACTUAL privileges included in the Aircrew Regulation.
Yep. Tip of the iceberg on the problems we have with the Spanish. They are adamant that it’s correct. It’s my project next week to get to the bottom of.
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Old 5th Jan 2020, 19:25
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I did my TK at CATS and the flying at Cambridge. Was very happy.

Suggest you join PPL/IR as they have a lot of useful resources and information.
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