Doing my CPL, should I do the IMC rating?

[toplad]

Done my PPL and deciding my next option, my instructor says it will hinder my chances of getting a job if I don't complete my IMC before it is de-funked

I want to have all the boxes ticked, but will it stand me in better stead with potential employers

Is he right?

[Dash8driver1312]

I made the IMC rating as an "IR preparation."

I feel it was money well invested because I had a little more practical knowledge before the full IR.

Enough pilots don't do it though...

[pudoc]

Personally, I think it's a waste of money. You should go straight into the CPL, ME/IR.

I say he's wrong saying you need to do IMC after PPL to get a job. Although it won't hurt, I can't see it being an advantage that's worth the extra cost.

[A320baby]

Personally I also agree with Pudoc.

It would be a waste of money if you are doing the CPL ME/IR.

I could understand if you only wanted to stay at a PPL and wanted to add A IMC for some extra confidence.

If you are worried about the IR and think the IMC will help, Don't be, Get you head in the books, Study hard, Understand what is being taught to you (if you don't understand, ASK!) and I can assure you the IR will be no problem.

I personally found the IR (other then my type rating) the most enjoyable part of my training.

Good Luck

[Bealzebub]

Done my PPL and deciding my next option, my instructor says it will hinder my chances of getting a job if I don't complete my IMC before it is de-funked

A job doing what?

Although it has been a useful add on to a PPL for many years, if you are referring to an airline pilot vacancy, it simply won't have any relevance. By the time this becomes an issue you will already have completed an Instrument rating.

Of course, that isn't to suggest that any form of advanced training including the IMC rating (for as long as it exists,) isn't a valuable use of your time and resources. There are aspects of it that will assist you in your full instrument rating course.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Yes do it.

I'm CPL/IMC - I'll get around to the IR at some point, but I learned loads on the course and in UK airspace find the IMC incredibly useful. It's also useful overseas for VFR OTT or in extremis an "emergency" IAP.

No use to an airline pilot but good prep for becoming one. It would have tightened my flying up in a money saving way had I done the IMC before, rather than after the CPL.

[Cobalt]

It depends on how you want to progress your career, and where you are in your ATPL studies.

If you have the ATPL theory under your belt already, I would go straight for the IR, and then the CPL later.

If, OTOH, you are over a year away from doing the next step / rating, I would definitely do it. It is a very useful rating to have, and also gets you back into some training halfway through hour building, which should really sharpen your flying.

[taybird]

The CPL includes 10 hours of IF, which can count towards the 15 hours required for an IR(R). So it only takes another 5 hours of IF to complete the course. If you have ATPL Theory you don't need to sit the written test. Hey presto, you have an IR(R) which is much cheaper to maintain than an IR, and gives you an extra ticket for not much effort. It also gives you a head start when training for the IR. I felt it was worth it to me.

[Genghis the Engineer]

You don't need ATPL theory. Any CPL holder is exempt the IMC theory.

[pudoc]

Just to add to taybird,

Your CPL must be issued (licence in hand) for the 10/15 hours to be knocked off your IR.

[toplad]

Thanks for info

So I don't need it to be able to fly for a living, but it would be handy and is a heads up for your IR.
I'm not worried about any of exams or training, but nervously of the sim during the recruitment process. There's no where to hide on the simi and every finite detail can be accessed and analyzed. Scary

[Roger10-4]

I wouldn't bother. An IR course isn't designed to take an IMC rated pilot to an IR standard. Seems like a waste of money when you could just spend that on extra IR training during your course if you decided you needed it.