The IMC Rating provides pilots with the necessary instrument skills to get home safely in the event that the weather takes a turn for the worst. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has now recognised that pilots in the UK should retain this option and will continue to allow holders of the IMC Rating to use it after the change over to EASA i.e. grandfather rights.

Pre-Course Entry / Application Requirements

An applicant for an UK IMC rating must have:

25 hours experience as an aeroplane pilot from issuing date of his/her PPL (A)

These 25 hours must include 10 hours PIC of which 5 hours must be cross country flights

The IMC rating course flying (15 hours) may be included in the 25 hours experience above

Ground Training

Minimum of 20 hours of theoretical knowledge training covering:

Physiological Factors

Flight Instruments

Aeronautical Information Service

Flight Planning

Privileges of the IMC Rating

The training shall be integrated with the flight training so that the maximum benefit is gained from time spent in the air.

IMC Written Examination

A written paper consisting of 25 multi-choice questions covering the IMC theoretical knowledge training. The pass mark is 75%. The examination must be passed within 12 months preceding the date of application. It can be taken before or after the flight test.

Flight Training

Flight training shall include:

15 hours dual instrument flying training of which up to 2 hours may be in an approved simulator

Not less than 10 of the 15 hours must be flown by sole reference to instruments

Note:Holders of a pre JAA Night Rating (not the Night Qualification) may be exempt 3 hours dual flight instruction including not more than 2 hours by sole reference to instruments providing they can show logbook evidence of completing the pre Night Rating instrument flying training.

Flight Test

For further information refer to CAA’ Standard document 25.