COMPETENCY BASED INSTRUMENT RATING CB-IR

General

Courses are available to UK licence holders on PA28R, PA44 and DA42 Aircraft at Bournemouth, Cranfield and Nottingham.

The aim of the competency-based IR(A) modular flying training course is to train PPL or CPL holders for the IR(A), taking into account prior instrument flight instruction and experience. It is designed to provide the level of proficiency needed to operate aeroplanes under IFR and in IMC. The course shall be taken within an ATO or consist of a combination of instrument flight instruction provided by an IRI(A) or an FI(A) holding the privilege to provide training for the IR(A) and flight instruction within an ATO.

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Requirements

(a) Be the holder of a PPL(A) or CPL(A) including an appropriate medical certificate and class/type rating for the IR(A) sought e.g. MEP class rating for a ME IR

(b) Completed at least 80 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction to the IR(A) knowledge level at an ATO. The course of theoretical knowledge instruction shall be completed within 18 months

(c) Passed at least the theoretical knowledge examinations in accordance with FCL.615 IR

(d) The instrument flight instruction and the IR(A) skill test shall be completed within the period of validity (36 months) of the pass of the theoretical knowledge examinations in accordance with FCL.025

(e) To determine the amount of hours credited and to establish the training needs, the candidate shall complete a pre-entry assessment (AMC7, Appendix 6 to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011) at an ATO. The content and duration of the pre-entry assessment shall be determined by the ATO based on the prior instrument experience of the candidate (see note)

Note: Refer to CAP 804 and Appendix 6 to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 for credits.

Flight Training

a. A single-engine C-BIR(A) course shall include at least 40 hours of instrument time under instruction.

(i) When the candidate has completed instrument flight instruction provided by an IRI(A) or an FI(A) holding the privilege to provide training for the IR or prior experience of instrument flight time as PIC on aeroplanes, under a rating providing the privileges to fly under IFR and in IMC, these hours may be credited towards the 40 hours above up to maximum of 30 hours (see note)

(ii) When the candidate has prior instrument flight time under instruction other than specified in (a)(i), these hours may be credited towards the required 40 hours up to a maximum of 15 hours

(iii) In any case, the flying training shall include at least 10 hours of instrument flight time under instruction in an aeroplane at an ATO

(iv) The total amount of dual instrument instruction shall not be less than 25 hours

 (b) A multi-engine C-BIR(A) course shall include at least 45 hours instrument time under instruction.

(i) When the candidate has completed instrument flight instruction provided by an IRI(A) or an FI(A) holding the privilege to provide training for the IR or prior experience of instrument flight time as PIC on aeroplanes, under a rating giving the privileges to fly under IFR and in IMC these hours may be credited towards the 45 hours above up to a maximum of 35 hours (see note)

(ii) When the candidate has prior instrument flight time under instruction other than specified in (b)(i), these hours may be credited towards the required 45 hours up to a maximum of 15 hours

(iii) In any case, the flying training shall include at least 10 hours of instrument flight time under instruction in a multi-engine aeroplane at an ATO

(iv) The total amount of dual instrument instruction shall not be less than 25 hours, of which at least 15 hours shall be completed in a multi-engine aeroplane

Note: The completion of any instrument flight instruction provided by an IRI(A) or FI(A) in accordance with (a)(i) or (b)(i) shall be documented in a specific training record and signed by the instructor

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Theoretical Knowledge Training

An approved competency-based modular IR(A) course shall comprise at least 80 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction. The theoretical knowledge course may contain computer-based training and e-learning elements. A minimum amount of classroom teaching as required by ORA.ATO.305 has to be provided (not be less than 10% of the total duration of the course)

Theoretical Knowledge Examination

Pass the following theoretical knowledge examinations:

Air Law
Aircraft General Knowledge - Instrumentation
Flight Planning and Monitoring
Human Performance
Meteorology
Radio Navigation
Communications

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A pass in a theoretical knowledge examination paper will be awarded to a candidate achieving at least 75% of the marks allocated to that paper. There is no penalty marking.

After successful completion of the theoretical knowledge examinations they will be valid for the issue of a IR(A) for a period of 36 months

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Instrument Rating (Aeroplane) Skill Test

Conducted by an Instrument Rating Examiner (IRE).

The IR(A) skill test comprises of the following sections:

Section 1 - Pre-Flight Operations and Departure
Use of flight manual (or equivalent) especially aircraft performance calculation, mass and balance
Use of Air Traffic Services document and weather document
Preparation of ATC flight plan and IFR flight log
Pre-flight Inspection
Weather Minima
Taxying
Pre take-off briefing, take-off
Transition to instrument flight
Instrument departure procedures, altimeter setting
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedures

Section 2 - General Handling
Control of the aeroplane by reference solely to instruments, including: level flight at various speeds, trim
Climbing and descending turns with sustained Rate 1 turn
Recoveries from unusual attitudes, including sustained 45° bank turns and steep descending turns
Recovery from approach to stall in level flight, climbing/descending turns and in landing configuration
Limited panel: stabilised climb or descent, level turns at Rate 1 onto given headings, recovery from unusual attitudes

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Section 3 - En-Route IFR Procedure
Tracking, including interception, e.g. NDB, VOR, RNAV
Use of radio aids
Level flight, control of heading, altitude and airspeed, power setting, trim technique
Altimeter settings
Timing and revision of ETAs (en-route hold, if required)
Monitoring of flight progress, flight log, fuel usage, systems' management
Ice protection procedures, simulated if necessary
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedures

Section 4 - Precision Approach Procedures
Setting and checking of navigational aids, identification of facilities
Arrival procedures, altimeter checks
Approach and landing briefing, including descent/approach/landing checks
Holding Procedure
Compliance with published approach procedure
Approach timing
Altitude, speed heading control (stabilised approach)
Go-around action
Missed approach procedure/landing
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedures

Section 5 - Non-Precision Approach Procedures
Setting and checking of navigational aids, identification of facilities
Arrival procedures, altimeter checks
Approach and landing briefing, including descent/approach/landing checks
Holding Procedure
Compliance with published approach procedure
Approach timing
Altitude, speed heading control (stabilised approach)
Go-around action
Missed approach procedure/landing
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedures

Section 6 - Flight with One Engine Inoperative (ME only)
Simulated Engine Failure After Take Off or on go-round
Asymmetric approach and procedural go around
Asymmetric approach and full stop landing
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedures

Note: Use of checklist, airmanship, anti-icing/de-icing procedures, etc. apply in all sections

Validity

12 months

Revalidation
An IR(A) shall be revalidated within the 3 months immediately preceding the expiry date of the rating

If candidates choose to fulfil the revalidation requirements earlier than prescribed above, the new validity period shall commence from the date of the IR(A) proficiency check extended to the end of the month plus rating validity period

Hold the relevant class or type rating, unless the IR(A) revalidation is combined with the renewal/revalidation of the relevant class or type rating

Candidates who fail to pass the IR(A) proficiency check before the expiry date of the IR shall not exercise the IR(A) privileges until they have passed the IR(A) proficiency check

An FNPT II or full flight simulator representing the relevant class or type of aeroplane may be used to revalidate an IR(A) as a stand-alone event, i.e. when not combined with a class or type rating

At least each alternate IR(A) proficiency check shall be performed in an aeroplane

An IR(A) may be revalidated as part of a combined type rating skill test or proficiency check in an appropriately qualified full flight simulator

An IR may be revalidated as part of a combined class rating skill test or proficiency check in an aeroplane

Renewal

If an IR has expired, in order to renew their privileges candidates shall:

(1) go through refresher training at an ATO to reach the level of proficiency needed to pass the instrument element of the skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

(2) complete a proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, in the relevant aircraft category

(3) hold the relevant class or type rating, unless the IR renewal is combined with the renewal of the relevant class or type rating

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An IR may be renewed as part of a combined type rating skill test or proficiency check in an appropriately qualified full flight simulator

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An IR may be renewed as part of a combined class rating skill test or proficiency check in an aeroplane

'7 Year Expiry Period'

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If the IR has not been revalidated or renewed within the preceding 7 years, the holder will be required to pass again the IR theoretical knowledge examination and skill test. The 7 year period commences from the date the IR expired (see note)

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Note: The IR expiry date refers to any type of IR (SPA or MPA) held by a pilot on an ICAO pilot licence e.g. Hong Kong CPL(A) with A330/IR. Providing the pilot keeps this licence and rating valid the 7 year period is kept at bay. If however the the A330/IR expires the 7 year period would commence from the expiry date

Privileges

The privileges of a holder of an IR(A) are to fly aircraft under IFR, including PBN operations, with a minimum decision height of no less than 200 feet (60 m)

Holders of an IR(A) shall exercise their privileges in accordance with the conditions established in Appendix 8 to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

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References

CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Air Navigation Order (ANO) CAP 393
CAP 804
UK CAA Standards Documents 1, 7
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, AMC and GM (referred to as Part FCL)