What are the minimum prerequisites for an applicant to be eligible for an instrument rating (IR) under FCL.610?

The applicant must hold at least a PPL in the appropriate aircraft category (with night privileges if the IR will be used at night) or an ATPL in another category, or a CPL in the appropriate aircraft category, and have completed at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC in aeroplanes, TMGs, helicopters or airships, of which at least 10 (or 20 for airships) hours shall be in the relevant aircraft category.

If I want to use my instrument rating privileges at night, what additional requirement must I meet?

You must hold at least a PPL in the appropriate aircraft category and have the privileges to fly at night in accordance with FCL.810.

Can an ATPL holder in a different aircraft category satisfy the prerequisite for an IR without holding a PPL or CPL in the target category?

Yes, holding an ATPL in another category of aircraft is an acceptable alternative to holding a PPL or CPL in the appropriate aircraft category.

For an airship pilot applying for an IR, what is the specific cross-country PIC requirement in the relevant category?

For airships, at least 20 hours of the 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC must be in the relevant aircraft category.

Are helicopter pilots who completed an integrated training course exempt from the cross-country flight time requirement?

Yes, for helicopters only, applicants who have completed an ATP(H)/IR, ATP(H), CPL(H)/IR or CPL(H) integrated training course are exempted from the requirement in (b), which is the 50 hours cross-country flight time as PIC.

Does the cross-country flight time requirement for an IR apply to all aircraft categories equally?

No, the requirement is at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC in aeroplanes, TMGs, helicopters or airships, but the minimum in the relevant aircraft category is 10 hours for most categories and 20 hours for airships.

What is the regulatory source for the IR prerequisites and crediting rules?

The section is based on Regulation (EU) No 245/2014, as stated in the text.

If an applicant holds a CPL in the appropriate aircraft category, do they still need to meet the cross-country flight time requirement?

Yes, holding a CPL in the appropriate aircraft category satisfies the licence prerequisite, but the applicant must still complete the 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC with the required hours in the relevant category, unless exempted (e.g., helicopter integrated course).

FCL.610 IR - Prerequisites and crediting

Q: What is the minimum cross-country flight time required as PIC for an IR applicant, and how much must be in the relevant aircraft category?

The applicant must have completed at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC in aeroplanes, TMGs, helicopters or airships, of which at least 10 hours (or 20 hours in the case of airships) shall be in the relevant aircraft category.

Q: Which specific integrated training courses exempt helicopter applicants from the cross-country PIC requirement?

The exemption applies to applicants who have completed an ATP(H)/IR, ATP(H), CPL(H)/IR or CPL(H) integrated training course.

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FCL.610 IR – Prerequisites and crediting

Regulation (EU) No 245/2014

Applicants for an IR shall:

(a) hold:

(1) at least a PPL in the appropriate aircraft category, and:

(i) the privileges to fly at night in accordance with FCL.810, if the IR privileges will be used at night; or

(ii) an ATPL in another category of aircraft; or

(2) a CPL, in the appropriate aircraft category;

(b) have completed at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC in aeroplanes, TMGs, helicopters or airships, of which at least 10 or, in the case of airships, 20 hours shall be in the relevant aircraft category.

(c) Helicopters only. Applicants who have completed an ATP(H)/IR, ATP(H), CPL(H)/IR or CPL(H) integrated training course shall be exempted from the requirement in (b).

Details

Source-Title: FCL.610 IR - Prerequisites and crediting View latest amendments

Erulesid: ERULES-1963177438-10573 Compare versions

Domain: Aircrew

Applicabilitydate: 3 April, 2014

Entryintoforcedate: 3 April, 2014

Regulatorysource: Regulation (EU) No 245/2014 Navigate

Regulatorysubject: Part-FCL

Typeofcontent: IR (Implementing rule)

Origin: EASA

Category: EAR