IMC Rating

[Brian Hope]

At a strut meeting last night, Martin Robinson of AOPA said he had had confirmation from CAA that the UK IMC rating would be retained. There are administrative issues over how this would be done within the EASA rules, but they would be resolved.
Good news, but I hope it does not interfere with UK pilots being able to make use of the EASA proposed Europe wide En route rating and a significantly more proportionate Instrument Rating. This would put European pilots into a similar position to those in the US, where their IR is far more achievable than ours and is therefore gained by considerably more private pilots.

[Nigel Hitchman]

Yes, sounds like good news for those with an IMC rating that stay current and use it.
But why cant EASA just recognise the FAA IR and issue FAA IR holders with an EASA IR and make getting an IR in EASAland the same as getting a FAA IR, infact why dont they just take on the FAA sylabus.
I guess the real reason is people in the authorities keeping their jobs.
Even the industry that now exists to get people thru the arduous, very time consuming, pointless groundschool would surely get so much more business (although for a lot shorter time per person) if the IR was made more sensible.
There are hundreds if not thousands of people flying around Europe in N reg aircraft on FAA IRs and Im sure they dont have any worse safety record than people with EASA IRs.
All that knowledge of how many gimbles a gyro has got, or what the name of some wind in the Sahara is called, or how an Omega navigation system works doesnt make them any better pilots!
(and yes I do have a CAA IR!)

[Mike Cross]

Martin is on leave at the moment.

A slight correction to Brian's reporting. He said:-
"Martin Robinson of AOPA said he had had confirmation from CAA that the UK IMC rating would be retained."

The position is that CAA have confirmed in writing that it is CAA Policy to support retention of the IMCR and they are working with EASA to ensure that this happens.

As readers will appreciate the decision on whether or not the UK IMCR becomes an EASA rating that can be attached ot an EASA licence rests with EASA, not the CAA.

EUROPEAN AVIATION SAFETY AGENCY CAA SPECIAL INFORMATION BULLETIN Special Issue 1: 31 March 2009 provides some useful insights into CAA policy in regard to EASA FCL proposals.

Mike
Executive Committee Member AOPA UK

[Steve Brown]

Incidently, what is happening to the French Mountain Rating ? Will all EU countries (like Holland for instance) need to have a MR too if the French keep it?

[Mike Cross]

There will be an EASA Mountain Rating and States will be able to designate at which airports it will be required. (in fact two ratings, wheels and skis).

The French don't actually have a Mountain Rating, they have the Altiport Qualification, which is a log-book sign-off, is site-specific and lapses if you don't use it at that site for 6 months and the Qualification Montagne which is non-expiring and covers all altisurfaces.

The plate for Megeve LFHM, where I've just come back from, gives a flavour.

I did suggest that the IMCR could be treated in a similar fashion, i.e. it exists as a rating and States can designate where it may be used. UK designates Class D and below and everyone else designates nothing - simples!

[Steve Brown]

Broadly as I thought ie where there's a (French) will, there's a way!

Doesn't seem that different ie

Some States have altiports, lots of snow etc etc so EASA sensibly come up with a rating available to all States if they want to apply it to accommodate that demographic fact of life.

So, since some States have lots of variable inclement weather why not have a (IMC) weather rating available to all States if they want to apply it to accommodate that demographic fact of life.

(Some may argue 'just get an IR' since that's already available but is the cost & currency requirements proportionate to leisure pilots?)

Thanks for explaining things, Mike and for your representation - any more news on the mandatory (not PLB) ELT for Holland?

Regards
Steve

[Brian Hope]

Hi Mike, Martin's comments suggested that CAA would find a way for UK pilots to keep the IMC rating regardless of whether EASA allowed it to become 'officially' a rating. Calling it a Certificate, or some such would be a way around it not being allowed to be an official rating, for instance.

[Mike Cross]

Hi Brian

I believe that's one of the suggestions that has been made.

The ELT issue has its roots in an ICAO requirement. Some States chose to accept a PLB in lieu, Holland chose not to. ICAO is still debating the issue. More info here.

[Steve Brown]

Thanks Mike.