Qualifying v Competence
 

I have been reading the somewhat conflicting comments on my question and have decided that perhaps it might help if I said a little about my approach to this matter.

I have no illusions whatever about the IMCR. Bitter past experience with the JAA/CAA flight training regime has taught me that qualifying is one thing, competence in the thing in which one 'qualifies' quite another. However, if one does not qualify, then one has nothing. The essential thing is first qualify, but be under no illusions about what else is needed to become competent and then be prepared to pay whatever it will cost to get that also.

Hence, my approach is first of all to listen carefully to those who know, (such as IO54, ObsCop and tmmorris and FlyingForFun) and then form a plan. The first part of any plan, since JAA/CAA are involved, must always start with getting through the examinations and skill tests.

For this purpose, I have found a very competent career instructor at a very well regarded FTO. I am budgetting to allow for the cost of 30 hours flying just to get the IMCR.

After that, my plans are as yet fluid. One possibility is to look for a group with as good an aeroplane as I can afford to fly. Alternatively, I may start a group of my own. That remains to be decided. Hard to say just yet: that's for the future.

Broomstick.

Thanks to all concerned
 

May I please say once again that I am so grateful for all the excellent replies you have all provided.

Many thanks to one and all,

Broomstick

Broomstick - I'm 3 hours into my course. Using a variety of materials:
- TT Book 5
- RANT (but an old version, must upgrade to the latest as it looks and works so much better)
- The Instrument Flight Manual (Kershner). It has a sub-title of 'The Instrument Rating and Beyond' and sometimes feels a little too advanced but is an easy read and has some useful pointers.
- The OAT Instrument Flying CBT. I like this a lot. It explains things visually and actively so it is easier to pick up some of the concepts rather than re-reading a page multiple times and still coming to the wrong conclusion ;-)
- MS Flight Simulator, but only for 'playing' through some scenarios. It is useful for tuning and working with nav aids in my locality so that I'm prepared to use them when doing it for real.
- IMC Confuser

If you are training for instrument flying, then X-Plane is superior to MSFlight Sim. The aircraft handling and intrument realism are much better. When used with proper controls, and displays,etc., X-Plane is accredited by the FAA for logging hours. You can adjust the aircraft panel to match what you fly in reality. AT £25 it is one of the best purchases you can make (also worth considering the massive VFR addon for a few quid- just for fun).