Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The CBIR is a new and unique way to train towards the IR which is valid anywhere in the world. The aim, quite simply to fly an aeroplane under instrument flight rules with a minimum decision height of 200 feet (60 metres).

Unique in many ways the course is aimed at experienced pilots not looking to take the commercial route.

The pre-requisites for all applications are that you meet English language proficiency requirements and hold one of the following licences: a PPL (A) and FRTOL or a CPL (A) or an ATPL in another category of aircraft

You will need to hold a current and valid Class 1 Part medical or Class 2 medical with a valid audiogram to apply.

You must also have completed at least 50 hours of cross country flight time as Pilot in Command (PIC) in aeroplanes, TMGs, helicopters or airships of which at least 10 hours shall be in aeroplanes.

If you want to use the privileges of the IR (A) at night and you only hold a PPL (A) you will also need to hold a Night rating.

You can complete any of the following training with an Authorised Training Organisation: ATPL (A) or CBIR / EIR (En-route Instrument Rating) or IR(A) theory.

You will need a valid pass in all of the exams for the training route that you are following.

If you follow the FULL IR, CB-IR or E-IR route you can expect to cover 7 subjects, which takes three to four weeks (80 hours of study). 

The seven subjects to study are as follows:

• Air Law
• Flight Planning
• Human Performance
• IFR Communications
• Instrumentation
• Meteorology
• Radio Navigation

Following the ATPL theory route, consists of 14 examinations.  These exams are quite intense, and are usually done over a period of 6 months full time education or longer if studying at distance.  But bear in mind that you must pass all exams within 18 months of your first exam sitting.

The fourteen subjects to study are as follows:

• Human Performance & Limitations
• Air Law & ATC Procedures
• Operational Procedures
• VFR Communications
• IFR Communications
• Meteorology
• Principles of Flight
• Performance
• Flight Planning
• General Navigation
• Mass & Balance

The CBIR is available for aeroplanes only. The privileges of the CBIR do not include flying ‘high-performance aeroplanes’ (HPA) under IFR unless further theoretical knowledge is obtained.

Learning objectives for complex and high-performance aircraft have been shifted to a separate, later exam for those progressing beyond light aircraft, so the full IR is now more appropriate for private pilots adding the rating.

You can claim a maximum of 30 hours towards the 40 hours course if you have flown under IFR and IMC conditions under the privileges of an EIR, ICAO IR or IMC/IR(R).

The base requirement is that you will require a minimum of 40 hrs IFR experience (for CB-IR on SEP) prior to being permitted to take the Initial IR Test can be made up of credits that you can claim for prior experience or for prior training up to a maximum of 15 hours of prior training. (Which could be the training you did for your IMCR) and or up to 20 hours of your own prior IFR experience that you might have gained as captain on flights after you had obtained you’re IMCR/IRR.

Further Guidance on specific routes to gaining a CBIR can be found on the UK CAA website.

There are no theoretical knowledge credits.  There is an exception to this if you have an ICAO licence in current flying practice and have a minimum of 50 hours Pilot in Command in Instrument Flight Rules.

You must hold a current and valid: ICAO licence with a validating medical & Instrument rating. The theoretical examination is assessing as part of the Instrument Rating skills test.

More information can be found on the UK CAA website under Guidance on specific routes to gaining a CBIR for ICAO license holders with 50 hours Pilot in Command in Instrument Flight Rules.

No matter how much prior training or prior experience you may have, you still need to do a minimum of 10 hrs training for the CB-IR at an ATO.

The exception is if you already hold an ICAO license with a validating medical and Instrument Rating from an ICAO country where you have 50 hours Pilot in Command in Instrument Flight Rules.

The CB IR is a full ICAO IR, and the skills test is same as the full IR skills test. Only the route used to obtain the IR differs. The CB-IR isn’t a rating, but more so a route to the rating.  This is in sharp contrast to the normal commercial route to the IR via a modular or integrated course, where no prior experience is assumed.

The training requirements are reduced with 10 hours less flight training and 50% less theory, to make it more easy available for a larger number of pilots. The CB-IR does not include the HPA privileges.   As already discussed, this can be done later.  So if you do the ATPL theory and study for the IR via the CB-IR route.  Your CB IR includes the HPA privileges.

The CBIR is unique in offering a route for experienced pilots with a past history of instrument flying to train for the full Instrument Rating (IR) in a way which reflects their experience. This is in sharp contrast to the normal commercial route to the IR via a modular or integrated course, where no prior experience is assumed. For the latest on ATOs that conduct the Competency Based Modular Instrument Rating (Aeroplanes).

Simply look for Standards Document 31: Organisations Conducting Approved Courses of Flight and Ground Training

Names and details of all ATOs approved by the UK CAA to provide the CB-IR can be found in this document.

You can also find school approved to provide the Competency Based Modular Instrument Rating (Aeroplanes) theoretical knowledge in Standards Document 31.    

As of 2019, there are 3 schools that are said to provide the Theoretical Knowledge.   They are Bristol Ground School, Caledonian Advanced Pilot Training Limited and CATS.

From the limited research, there are plenty of places in Europe that do the CB-IR route and theoretical knowledge.  After all this is an EASA rating, and not specific to the UK.  I have only done my research being based in the UK.   Other than a list of the ATOs; the requirements and practicalities are the same as defined by EASA.

In fact this isn’t a question I can answer. Assuming your aircraft meets Standards Document 7, and you choose to fly in your own aircraft. It entirely depends on the ATO you choose, the aircraft you are flying and the cost per hour. 

This is something each individual must assess and calculate.

Yes, provided that it meets the requirements for aeroplanes and helicopters for use on CPL and IR Skills test in Standards Document 7 (AH).

Read more about my experience.

For the pre-ATO phase, if done privately with an IRI you can expect to pay in the region of £40-50 h/r.

The ATO phase in my case with Stapleford Flight Centre was £130 h/r

The above is based on my experiences of having held a IMC(R) aka IRR and flying in an aircraft with experience. These costs above are likely to vary depending on the circumstances of the instructor, school and pilot. Read more

This is the ultimate answer.  How much will the CB-IR cost? Depending on your abilities, you can probably budget for between £10,000 and £14,000 over the course of 18 months with a full-time job in order to get to the required standard and pass the strenuous test at the end of it.

Read more about my experience.