(a) The holder of a pilot licence (A) shall not act in any capacity as a pilot of an aeroplane under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), except as a pilot undergoing skill testing or dual training, unless the holder has an instrument rating (IR(A)) appropriate to the category of aircraft issued in accordance with JAR-FCL.

(b) In JAA Member States where national legislation requires flight in accordance with IFR under specified circumstances (e.g. at night), the holder of a pilot licence may fly under IFR, provided that pilot holds a qualification appropriate to the circumstances, airspace and flight conditions in which the flight is conducted.

(a) Privileges

(1) The privileges of a holder of a multi-engine IR(A) are to pilot multi-engine and single-engine aeroplanes under IFR with a minimum decision height of 200 feet (60 m). Decision heights lower than 200 feet (60m) may be authorised by the Authority after further training and testing in accordance with JAR-OPS, AMC FCL 1.261(a) paragraph 6 and with Appendix 2 to JAR-FCL 1.240, section 6.

(2) Subject to the skill test conditions set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to JAR-FCL 1.210, and any other conditions specified in JARs, the privileges of a holder of a single-engine IR(A) shall be to pilot single-engine aeroplanes under IFR with a minimum decision height of 200 feet (60 m).

(a) An IR(A) is valid for one year. If an IR(A) for a multi-engine aeroplane is to be revalidated the holder shall complete the instrument requirements of JAR-FCL 1.245(b)(l), which may be conducted in a flight simulator or FNPT II. If an IR(A) for single-engine aeroplanes is to be revalidated the holder shall complete, as a proficiency check.

(b) If the IR(A) is valid for use in single-pilot operations, the revalidation shall be completed in either multi-pilot operations or single-pilot operations. If the IR(A) is restricted for use in multi-pilot operations only, the revalidation shall be completed in multi-pilot operations.

(c) An applicant who fails to achieve a pass in all sections of a proficiency check before the expiry date of an instrument rating shall not exercise the privileges of that rating until the proficiency check has successfully been completed.

(d) If the rating is to be renewed, the holder shall meet the requirements above and any additional requirements as determined by the Authority.

(e) If the IR(A) has not been revalidated/renewed within the preceding 7 years, the holder will be required to retake the IR(A) theoretical knowledge examination.

An applicant for an IR(A) shall hold a PPL(A) including a night qualification or CPL(A) and shall have completed at least 50 hours cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command in aeroplanes or helicopters of which at least 10 hours shall be in aeroplanes.

(a) Course. An applicant for an IR(A) shall have received theoretical knowledge instruction on an approved course at an approved FTO, or at an Organisation approved to conduct courses of theoretical knowledge instruction relevant to theoretical knowledge instruction only. The course should, wherever possible, be combined with a flying training course.

(b) Examination. An applicant shall demonstrate a level of knowledge appropriate to the privileges granted to the holder of an IR(A).

An applicant for an IR(A) shall have demonstrated the ability to use the English language.

(a) An applicant for an IR(A) shall have participated in a course of integrated flying training which includes training for the IR(A) (see JAR-FCL 1.165) or shall have completed an approved modular flying training course.

(b) If the applicant is the holder of an IR(H) the total amount of flight instruction required by Appendix 1 to JAR-FCL 1.205 may be reduced to 10 hours on single-engine or multi-engine aeroplanes, as applicable.

(a) General. An applicant for an IR(A) shall have demonstrated the ability to perform the procedures and manoeuvres as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to JAR-FCL 1.210 with a degree of competency appropriate to the privileges granted to the holder of an IR(A).

(b) Multi-engine aeroplanes. For a multi-engine aeroplane instrument rating the test shall be taken in a multi-engine aeroplane.

(c) Single-engine aeroplanes. For a single-engine aeroplane instrument rating the test shall be taken in a single-engine aeroplane. A multi-engine centreline thrust aeroplane shall be considered a single-engine aeroplane for the purposes of a single-engine aeroplane IR.