Instrument Rating IR(A) key terms

A rating entered on a pilot licence that permits flight under instrument flight rules, requiring specified training, examination and recent experience to be maintained.

The annex of the EU aircrew regulation setting out requirements for pilot licensing, ratings, training organisations and examiner privileges, including instrument rating provisions.

The national aviation body designated by a state to issue licences, approve organisations and oversee certification; it is the addressee of licence applications and medical appeals.

The practical flight and simulator examination, flown with an authorised examiner, that demonstrates a candidate can operate safely under instrument flight rules before the rating is issued.

The authorisation granted to a qualified pilot allowing them to conduct skill tests, proficiency checks or assessments for specified licences and ratings on behalf of the competent authority.

The mandatory recurrent training and assessment process through which examiners are calibrated, ensuring consistent, fair and regulation-compliant conduct of tests and checks across the state.

A person holding examiner authorisation who plans, briefs, conducts, debriefs and records skill tests or proficiency checks, and who must remain objective and independent of the candidate's training.

A recurrent practical assessment, normally conducted by an examiner or authorised instructor, confirming that a rating holder still meets the required standards to retain the rating's privileges.

Rules requiring a pilot to have completed specified instrument flight time, approaches or simulator sessions within a defined preceding period to exercise instrument rating privileges.

Training structured around observable competencies, such as flight path management and threat and error management, rather than only minimum hours, with assessment against defined performance criteria.

An organisation approved by the competent authority to deliver specified training courses, including instrument rating courses, meeting facility, instructor and syllabus requirements.

A training organisation that declares its activity to the competent authority for specified non-commercial training, with lighter oversight than an approved training organisation.

An instructor holding privileges to give instrument flight instruction, including for the issue of instrument ratings, subject to qualification and currency requirements.

A licence based on competency-based, crew-oriented training using simulators and line operations, distinct from the traditional modular or integrated routes to a commercial licence.

Ratings entered on a licence that permit operation of a defined class of aircraft or a specific type, often required alongside instrument privileges for the aircraft flown.

The requirement that flight time and training entries be signed by the pilot or an authorised instructor, providing the evidential basis for licence, rating and recent-experience applications.

A physician approved by the competent authority to conduct aircrew medical examinations and issue, or refer for, medical certificates according to the applicable fitness standards.

An organisation approved to perform aircrew medical examinations and assessments, including specialist evaluations, on behalf of the competent authority.

The formal document, issued after medical examination, confirming that a licence holder meets the required medical fitness standards for the privileges they exercise.

The highest aircrew medical certificate, required for commercial pilots and those exercising instrument privileges in commercial operations, with the strictest examination and review requirements.

The medical certificate normally required for private pilot licence holders and certain non-commercial instrument privileges, with less stringent requirements than Class 1.

The prescribed physical and mental health criteria, covering vision, hearing, cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric conditions, that determine whether a medical certificate may be issued.

The standards governing the ability to distinguish colours safely, assessed by approved tests, with possible operational limitations where a deficiency is identified.

The specified hearing acuity standards, assessed by audiometry or functional tests, that aircrew must meet to hold a medical certificate.

A formal decision allowing a certificate holder with a specified condition to exercise privileges subject to conditions, such as corrective lenses or restricted duty, imposed by the licensing authority.

The pilot's responsibility to assess their own fitness before flight and to declare any change in health or medication that could affect safe operation of the aircraft.

Rules prohibiting flight while impaired by alcohol, drugs or certain medications, with defined blood limits and reporting obligations for prescribed treatments.

The process by which a pilot may challenge a medical decision, typically involving referral to an independent medical assessor or board designated by the competent authority.

A flight simulator or flight training device approved for training and testing, qualified to a defined level of fidelity for specified tasks and manoeuvres.

An FSTD replicating a specific aircraft type with motion and visual systems, qualified to levels permitting zero-flight-time credit for defined training and testing.

An FSTD that replicates aircraft instruments and controls without full motion, qualified to levels allowing credited training for defined procedures and tasks.

The formal approval of a device against objective and subjective criteria, including validation tests, confirming that it meets the standards for its declared level.

A designation, such as levels A to D for simulators, defining the fidelity and permitted training, testing and flight-time credit associated with a qualified device.

Periodic checks, including subjective and objective testing, performed to confirm that a qualified device continues to meet its qualification standards and remains fit for use.

A training route using a suitably qualified full flight simulator that allows a pilot to complete specified training without corresponding flight time in the actual aircraft.

An assessment conducted in a simulator or aircraft that evaluates a pilot's non-technical and technical performance in realistic, scenario-based line operations.

The competent authority's authorisation for a specific device to be used within a training course or examination, based on its qualification and the tasks to be credited.

An instructor authorised to deliver training in an FSTD, requiring type-specific knowledge, instructional competence and familiarity with the device's systems and limitations.