Instrument Rating (Restricted)

  • The IMC Rating is a UK national rating and is designed as a 'get you out of trouble' qualification and not as a replacement for the IR.

  • The IMC Rating may not be endorsed onto an EASA licence.

  • In the UK the IMC Rating has been designated as an IR (Restricted) which allows it to be put onto a UK Part FCL licence.

  • You can complete the IMC Rating training and after a successful ground examination and flight test apply to have it added to your Part FCL licence as an IR(R) – an IR(Restricted). This will have all the privileges and restrictions of a IMC Rating and will be valid for flight in both Part 21 or non-Part 21 aircraft.

  • The revalidation/renewal requirements of the IMC Rating shall apply to the IR (Restricted).

  • The use of the IMC Rating / IR (Restricted) is confined to UK airspace only.

  • The IMC Rating / IR (Restricted) can not be put on a LAPL. Holders of a IMC Rating / IR (Restricted) who elect to regrade to a LAPL will have the IMC Rating / IR (Restricted) removed as the LAPL is a VFR only licence.

  • The UK CAA will issue information via Skywise on the impact of the Performance Base Navigation (PBN) regulations on the UK IMC Rating / IR (Restricted).

Requirements

An applicant for an IMC Rating must have:

  • 25 hours total experience as pilot of aeroplanes following PPL(A) issue and which may include the training for the UK IMC rating

  • 10 hours as PIC of aeroplanes to include 5 hours as PIC of aeroplanes on cross country flights

  • a UK issued Flight Radiotelephony Operators Licence (FRTOL)

Flight Training

Completed at least 15 hours dual instrument flying training. Up to 5 hours of this training may be completed in an EASA-STD device qualified BITD, FNPT I/II, up to 2 hours of which may be in other FSTDs.

At least 10 of the 15 hours must be flown by sole reference to instruments.

Where an applicant wishes to be tested for the IMC Rating on a SP ME aeroplane the flying training must ensure that when in simulated instrument flight conditions in a ME aeroplane the applicant can maintain stable flight after an engine failure at climb power, then climb at recommended speed and execute the normal range of flight manoeuvres under asymmetric power.

The flight training shall cover the following items:

Basic Stage

  • Full and limited panel flight manoeuvres to include recoveries from unusual attitudes

  • Partial panel flight manoeuvres

Applied Stage

  • Pre-flight planning

  • Departure and en-route

  • Approach and let-down

  • Bad weather circuits and landings

Ground Training

A minimum of 20 hours of theoretical knowledge training covering the following subjects:

  • Physiological Factors

  • Flight Instruments

  • Aeronautical Information Service - NOTAMS, UK AIP, AICs

  • Flight Planning - Meteorology, Altimetry, Terrain clearance, Radio aids, Radar approach procedures

  • Privileges of the IMC Rating

Theoretical Knowledge Examination

25 multiple-choice questions covering the IMC Rating theoretical knowledge. The pass mark is 72%. The examination can be taken before or after the flight test. The examination is valid for 21 months for the issue of the IMC Rating and 12 months for the conduct of the flight test.

Initial Flight Test

Conducted by a Flight Examiner (FE) or Instrument Rating Examiner (IRE) or Class Rating Examiner (CRE) who holds IMC Rating / IR(R) privileges.

A pass may be gained in the course of up to 3 individual flights made during a 28 day period. Failure in any part of the test will require the candidate to take the full test again.