General

Pre-Course Entry Requirements

Hold a JAA or UK PPL or UK NPPL with a valid class rating, FRTOL and medical certififcate

Ground Training

The training consists of a minimum of 10 hours of ground tuition taken from the UK IMC Rating ground training syllabus. The training shall be integrated with the flight training so that the maximum benefit is gained from time spent in the air

Flight Training

The training consists of a minimum of 5 hours dual flight training of which 1 hour may be conducted in a FNPT or flight simulator approved by the CAA. The flight training will be conducted by an FI, authorised by the UK CAA, whose rating has had the Applied Instrument restiction removed

Radio Navigation Certificate Skill Test

On satisfactory completion of the flight and ground training the candidate must pass a Radio Navigation Certificate Skill Test with an FE. The Skill Test shall include:

(a) A VFR dead reckoning navigation leg of not less than 25 nm using any VOR, DME, ADF or VDF for fixing backed up by map reading; GPS may be used to confirm fixes. Direct tracking to/from navigation beacons will not be allowed

(b) A diversion leg of at least 20 nm must then be flown using only radio aids for navigation except for visual identification of the final destination GPS may be used as the main aid but must be backed by at least one fix using other radio navigation aids

The following sections shall be examined:

Before Flight

Flight planning

Prior to Take-Off

Rad/Nav equipment serviceability checks
Setting up navaids for use - frequencies, radials, etc (N.B. Use of GPS is mandatory)
Departure clearance

In Flight

Aerodrome departure procedures
RTF-ATC liason/frequency changes

En-Route

D/R naviagtion - revision of heading and ETA
Station selection and identification
Obtaining a fix
Maintenance of atltiude/flight level
Altitude and position reporting
Intercepting a radial/magnetic bearing
Maintenance of radial/magnetic bearing - tracking
Use of aids to obtain ETA's
Identification of station passage
Use of GPS as a supplemental navigation aid
Use of radar facilities
In-flight decisions
Organisation of cockpit workload
General airmanship
Arrival procedures

References

Aeroplane Flight Manual for radio naviagtion equipment
CAA Safety Sense Leaflet 25 - Use of GPS
AOPA Training Manual - Instrument Flying, Radio Navigation and Instrument Approach Procedures

UK AIP and NOTAMS

Rules of the Air and ATC Regulations

LASORS
Air Navigation Order

Credits

For holders of a JAA or UK PPL issued by the UK CAA, the course of training can be taken as a progressive step towards obtaining a UK IMC Rating. To this end a JAA or UK PPL holder who has qualified for the AOPA Radio Navigation Certificate may be exempt from up to 5 hours instrument training at the Applied Stage of the IMC course (without time limit)

Validity

There is no validity period

Revalidation / Renewal Requirements

There are no revaildation or renewal requirements