Competency-Based Instrument Rating (CB-IR)
For candidates with no prior instrument flying experience, the CBIR course is a minimum of 40 hours flight training in a single-engine aircraft and 45 hours in a multi-engine aircraft.
It is important to be clear; the requirements of the course are stipulated as instrument flight time and not total flight time. This means that, unlike other courses, taxi time is not counted towards the requirements.
However, previous experience can be used to credit against the minimum training requirements in order to reduce the overall length of the CB-IR course. This can include, but is not limited to:
- an IR(R) course
- Flight time under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) as PIC
- a CPL course
Up to 30 hours (35 for the multi-engine CB-IR) can be credited in total, depending on the particular circumstances.
An assessment flight will be conducted to determine the training required for candidates looking to credit previous instrument flying experience. The assessment flight time does not count towards the requirements of the course.
The course includes training in:
- instrument flying techniques
- departure and arrival procedures
- enroute and approach procedures
- Asymmetric procedures (if applicable)
Upon completion of the course and issue of an Instrument Rating, a pilot will be qualified to fly aircraft under IFR, including PBN operations, with a minimum decision height of no less than 200 feet.
Course Overview
- Pre-requisites (minimum):
- PPL(A)
- Night Rating (if IR to be used at night)
- ATPL/CB-IR theory
- At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC
- For a multi-engine CB-IR, have completed the training for the MEP class rating
- Flying Training (minimum):
- Assessment flight (approx 1.5 hours, if credit is being claimed)
- 40 hours instrument flight time under instruction (single-engine aircraft)
- 45 hours instrument flight time under instruction (multi-engine aircraft)
- Up to 30 hours credit for previous experience (35 hours for multi-engine)
- Skills test
- Fees
- Course enrolment fee: £2,250
- All other training fees are pay-as-you-go, and as per our price list
The CB-IR Course enrolment fee is payable up-front, is non-refundable and is valid for 12 months. All training fees are pay-as-you-fly.
Estimated course duration: 5-6 weeks
Approximate budget: £6,000+
