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IR SPA ME |
PBN |
IR SPA SE |
Single Engine IR - (IR SPA SE)
Multi-Engine IR - (IR SPA ME)
Single and Multi-Engine IR - (IR SPA ME Class/SE)
Validity
12 months
IR Revalidation and Renewal - General
General rules for revalidation and renewal of the IR can be found in FCL.625.IR
Additional information about refresher training can be found in AMC 1 FCL.625(c) IR
Aeroplane-Specific
Aeroplane-specific revalidation information can be found in FCL.625.IR.A
IR Renewal where the IR has lapsed for more than 7 years
Rules governing renewal of an IR that has lapsed for more than 7 years can be found in FCL.625.IR(d) and (e)
However, the UK CAA have derogated from this regulation as follows:
# Pilots who have held a third country IR within the past 7 years may qualify not to retake the theoretical knowledge examinations. This derogation is contained in ORS4 No 1090 of 2015 at point B5
# UK Armed Forces pilots who hold a valid UK Part FCL Licence on which an IR has lapsed by more than 7 years, but who have held a military unrestricted green instrument rating within the past 7 years also benefit from the derogation above
Single Pilot (SP) IR Cross-Crediting
Cross-crediting information is in Part-FCL Appendix 8
However, Appendix 8 needs some clarification. The UK CAA requirements are as follows:
# If Section 6 is required, the asymmetric approach to go around should be flown using a published instrument approach, but the asymmetric approach to land may be flown as a circling manoeuvre or visual circuit
# SP ME IR renewals will be valid for 12 months from the date of flying Section 6, extended to the end of the month
# SP ME IR revalidations will be valid for 12 months from the date of expiry of the current SP IR (assuming that Section 6 is assessed within 3 months of expiry).
# SP SE IR revalidations or renewals ‘by experience’ (see note) will be valid until the expiry date of the MPA IR used for the cross-credit
# Pilots renewing an SP SE IR who currently have no SP instrument privileges will need to fly the departures and approaches dual with a UK CAA instructor qualified to teach for the IR, IR(Restricted) / IMC rating
Note: ‘By experience’ is defined as within the preceding 12 months have flown at least three IFR departures and approaches exercising PBN privileges, including at least one RNP approach in a SE aeroplane in SP operations
Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
Part FCL Article 4a introduced the requirement for an IR to include PBN privileges. Since 25 August 2020, all IRs must include PBN privileges
A consequence of this is that the test schedule for the IR Skill Test requires that one RNP approach is flown
For an IR revalidation/renewal proficiency check, if no RNP approach is flown, the IR holder will retain PBN privileges but may not fly RNP approaches until they complete a further check, including an RNP approach. See this link
This is also detailed in CAP 2138
Pilots renewing an instrument rating that was issued or last renewed/revalidated before August 2020 may not have met the requirements for PBN privileges. Specifically, they may have passed the CAA ATPL or IR theoretical examinations before PBN subject matter was introduced (believed to be around 2017) and their flight training may not have included PBN/RNP operations
Pilots in this situation must meet the requirements set out in CAP 2138 and must present their examiner with a copy of Appendix 1 from CAP 2138, with Sections 1, 2 and 3 completed
RNAV Substitution
CAP 1926 introduced the use of RNAV substitution
RNAV substitution may be used as described in CAP 1926 during an IR revalidation/renewal proficiency check
Part FCL Appendix 9 extract
The IR elements of the revalidation/renewal proficiency check include:
Section 1 Departure
Preflight including: documentation, mass and balance, weather briefing, NOTAM
Pre-start checks: external, internal
Engine starting: normal, malfunctions
Taxiing
Pre-departure checks: engine run-up (if applicable)
Take-off procedure: normal with flight manual flap settings, crosswind (if conditions are available)
Climbing: Vx/Vy, turns onto headings, level off
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedure
Section 3B
Instrument Flight
Departure IFR
En route IFR
Holding procedures
3D operations to decision height/altitude (DH/A) of 200ft (60 m) or to higher minima if required by the approach procedure (autopilot may be used to the final approach segment vertical path intercept)
2D operations to minimum descent height/altitude (MDH/A)
Flight exercises including simulated failure of the compass and attitude indicator: rate 1 turns, recoveries from unusual attitudes
Failure of localiser or glideslope
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedures
Section 6 Simulated Asymmetric Flight (not applicable to SE IR)
(This section may be combined with Sections 1 and 3B)
Simulated engine failure during take-off (at a safe altitude unless carried out in an FFS or an FNPT II)
Asymmetric approach and go-around
Asymmetric approach and full stop landing
ATC liaison - compliance, R/T procedure
References
UK CAA Standards Documents 1, 7, 14
Part FCL, AMC, GM and Appendicies
UK CAA ORS4 No 1090
CAPs 1926, 2138
IR Expiry Dates
The UK CAA has adopted the rule given in Part ARA.FCL.215 extending the validity period to the end of the month
Initial Issue
Test date extended to the end of the month plus rating validity period
Entered in the licence by the UK CAA
Renewal
Test date extended to the end of the month plus rating validity period
Entered in the licence by the examiner (see note 2)
Revalidation (see note 1)
Current expiry date extended to the end of the month plus rating validity period if carried out in the laid down period before expiry
Entered in the licence by the examiner
Notes:
1.
If revalidation is carried out early, prior to the laid down period before expiry, the new expiry date will be the test date extended to the end of the month plus rating validity period
2. IRs that appear on the back of the UK CAA Part FCL Licence can only be entered on the front by the UK CAA
Definitions
Revalidation
The administrative action taken within the period of validity of a rating or certificate which allows the holder to continue to exercise the privileges of a rating or certificate for a further specified period consequent upon the fulfilment of specified requirements
Renewal
The administrative action taken after a rating or certificate has lapsed for the purpose of renewing the privileges of the rating or certificate for a further specified period consequent upon the fulfilment of specified requirements
Skill Test
The demonstration of skill for a licence or rating issue, including such oral examination as may be required.
Proficiency Check
The demonstration of skill to revalidate or renew ratings, and including such oral examination as may be required