Validity
An IR shall be valid for 1 year.
FCL.625
Extension of privileges from single-engine to multi-engine helicopters
Holders of an IR(H) valid for single-engine helicopters wishing to extend for the first time the IR(H) to multi-engine helicopters shall complete:
(a) a training course at an ATO comprising at least 5 hours dual instrument instruction time, of which 3 hours may be in an FFS or FTD 2/3 or FNPT II/III and
(b) section 5 of the skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to this Part on multi-engine helicopters.
FCL.630.H
Revalidation
(1) An IR shall be revalidated within the 3 months immediately preceding its expiry date by complying with the revalidation criteria for the relevant aircraft category.
(2) If applicants choose to fulfil the revalidation requirements earlier than prescribed in point (1), the new validity period shall commence from the date of the proficiency check.
(3) Applicants who fail to pass the relevant section of an IR proficiency check before the expiry date of the IR shall exercise the IR privileges only if they have passed the IR proficiency check.
Renewal
(a) If an IR has expired, in order to renew their privileges, applicants shall comply with all of the following:
(1) complete a refresher training at an ATO, if deemed necessary by the ATO to reach the level of proficiency needed to pass the instrument element of the skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to this Annex.
(2) pass a proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to Annex I in the relevant aircraft category.
(3) hold the relevant class or type rating unless otherwise specified in Annex I.
(b) If the IR has not been revalidated or renewed in the preceding 7 years, applicants for the IR shall pass again the IR theoretical knowledge examination and skill test.
(c) Holders of a valid IR on a pilot licence issued by a third country in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention shall be exempted from complying with the requirements in points (a)(1) and (b) when renewing the IR privileges contained in licences issued in accordance with Annex I.
(d) The proficiency check mentioned in points (a)(2) and (e) may be combined with a proficiency check performed for the renewal of the relevant class or type rating.
FCL.625.IR
AMC1 FCL.625(c) IR – Validity, revalidation and renewal
RENEWAL OF INSTRUMENT RATING AT AN APPROVED TRAINING ORGANISATION (ATO):
REFRESHER TRAINING
- The objective of the refresher training at an ATO is to reach the level of proficiency needed to pass the instrument rating proficiency check, as described in Appendix 9, or the instrument rating skill test as described in Appendix 7 to Part-FCL, as applicable. The amount of refresher training needed should be determined by the ATO on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the following factors:
- the experience of the applicant
- the amount of time elapsed since the privileges of the rating were last used
- the complexity of the aircraft
- whether the applicant has a current rating on another aircraft type or class and
- where considered necessary, the performance of the applicant during a simulated proficiency check for the rating in an FSTD or an aircraft of the relevant type or class.
The amount of training needed to reach the desired level of competency should increase with the time elapsed since the privileges of the rating were last used.
- Once the ATO has determined the needs of the applicant, it should develop an individual training programme based on the ATO’s approved course for the rating and focusing on those aspects where the applicant has shown the greatest needs. Theoretical-knowledge instruction should be included, as necessary.The performance of the applicant should be reviewed during the training, and additional instruction should be provided where necessary to reach the standard required for the proficiency check.
- After successful completion of the training, the ATO should provide a training completion certificate to the applicant, which describes the evaluation of the factors listed under (1) above and the training received, and includes a statement that the training has been successfully completed. The training completion certificate should be presented to the examiner prior to the proficiency check. Following the successful renewal of the rating, the training completion certificate and examiner report form should be submitted to the competent authority.
- Taking into account the factors listed in (1) above, the ATO, the DTO or the instructor, as applicable, may also decide that the applicant already possesses the required level of proficiency and that no refresher training is necessary. In such a case, the certificate or other documental evidence referred to in (3) above should contain a respective statement including sufficient reasoning.
Revalidation – Helicopter
(a) To revalidate an IR(H), applicants shall:
(1) hold the relevant type rating, unless the IR revalidation is combined with the renewal of the relevant type rating.
(2) pass a proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to this Annex for the relevant type of helicopter if the IR revalidation is combined with the revalidation of a type rating.
(3) if the IR revalidation is not combined with the revalidation of a type rating, complete Section 5 and the relevant parts of Section 1 of the proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to this Annex for the relevant type of helicopter.
(b) An FTD 2/3 or an FFS representing the relevant type of helicopter may be used for the proficiency check pursuant to point (a)(3), provided that at least each alternate proficiency check for the revalidation of an IR(H) is performed in a helicopter.
(c) Cross-credit shall be given in accordance with Appendix 8 to this Part (attached).
FCL.625.H