Instrument Rating (IR)

An instrument rating is the pinnacle of achievements for many private pilots. It extends your mission profile, making full use of the features of the highly capable Cirrus aircraft to enable easy travel further afield.

The IR permits you to fly IFR worldwide in any class of airspace, entering into the world of fully controlled flights alongside airliners and other commercial traffic. IFR flight transforms the way you organise trips. With a flight plan filed, you can let ATC optimise a more efficient routing to your destination, keep you clear of other traffic and pass you seamlessly between controllers. No need to self-announce frequently to each new controller, nor seek their permission to cross controlled airspace and danger areas. You will be also able to fly more often, although of course not in extreme or unsuitable weather.

For many UK private pilots, the IR is a logical progression from the IR(R), by removing the restrictions to remain within UK airspace and outside Class A airspace. Others might choose to work directly towards an IR, which simply involves a longer and more in-depth training course.

The same basic handling skills, navigation techniques and instrument approaches found in the IR(R) course still apply. Your course will include airways sectors, entering Class A airspace shared with airliners and other commercial traffic. You’ll learn to fly a stable instrument approach down to 200 feet and transition to a visual landing or execute a safe missed approach. You’ll sharpen up your technique for holding patterns, master the options of the navigation avionics and thoroughly revise radio calls, so that you understand their precise meaning and which phrases to use.

UK or FAA Instrument Rating – or both?

If you are a resident of the UK, then you’ll need a UK IR, regardless of the registration country of your aircraft. The UK IR can be used on G-reg aircraft worldwide but only on N-reg planes within the UK.

If you fly an N-reg aircraft outside the UK, then you’ll also need an FAA IR, either standalone or issued based on a current UK IR. You can either train and pass the FAA IR checkride in the USA and subsequently pass the UK skill test (no UK theory exams required), or take the UK theory exams and UK skill test followed by the FAA theory exam (no FAA checkride required).

Some N-reg owners choose to hold both the simpler UK IR(R) and a full FAA IR, limiting themselves to remain outside Class A while in UK airspace but otherwise giving full IFR access across Europe.

Echelon Air can provide initial and refresher training towards any of the above ratings, sending you either to a UK ATO for the final 10 hours or so of UK instrument rating training, or to the USA for your IR check ride. We are happy to advise on the differences between the options and create a tailored training solution for individual clients.

Why Echelon Air?

Our IR instructors are familiar with the Cirrus and the subtle differences between the UK and FAA IR syllabus. Our training is comprehensive and will teach you to be a safe, efficient and competent IFR pilot in the UK, and the European airspace you are most likely to fly in. We blend the approved Cirrus training course with local knowledge and European requirements. Our goal is not to purely train you to pass a test, but to enable you to master the full capabilities of the Cirrus aircraft and enjoy safe, comfortable and efficient flights throughout Europe and beyond. You will become intimately familiar with the flight director, autopilot and navigation equipment and learn to cope with simulated failures as if they were real. During your training, you can expect to fly to several sizes and styles of airport, including those in other countries so that you can experience the differences.

Next steps

With a full IR, touring around Europe becomes easier and more accessible. Echelon continues to support you as you venture further, providing mentoring and safety pilot services: become more confident at high altitudes, deploying oxygen at up to FL250.

For those wanting to go further, higher and faster, consider stepping up to a Cirrus Jet. The techniques and avionics you’ve learnt during your IR training provide a solid basis for the transition to turbine aircraft. As always, Echelon is there to support your journey in any way we can.