⚠️ Who is Instrument Rating Examiner ✈️
Instrument Rating Examiner for IRE(A) or Instrument Examiner or simply IRE is a certificate authorizes the holder to provide:
- skill tests for issue of:
- EASA Instrument Rating including Competency - Based IR
- En Route Instrument Rating
- Basic Instrument Rating
- proficiency check for revalidation or renewal of:
- EASA Instrument Rating
Enroute Instrument Rating - Basic Instrument Rating
- EASA Instrument Rating
Before obtaining the Instrument Rating Examiner Certificate future examiner has to attend certain training driven by flight school or directly by competent authority.
When talking about IRE(A), it is important to mention that IRE(A) must be also holder of Class Rating Examiner certificate for particular class. The reason is that skill tests and renewals towards instrument rating has to be done in airplane. That means the IRE(A) is usually holder of additional CRE SEP(land) or CRE MEP(land) in addition to instrument examiner privileges.
It is also important to mention significant difference between IRE(A) and CRE with IR privileges. The main difference is that unlike CRE with IR, the IRE can provide also skill test for initial issue of instrument rating.
Once obtained, you will be allowed to let the pilots fly IFR. Isn't that awesome? ❤️
Requirements ✅ for IRE(A)
Iaw FCL.1010.IRE, an applicant for an Instrument Rating Examiner certificate - IRE(A) shall hold IRI(A) or an FI(A) certificate with the privilege to instruct for the instrument rating IR(A).
- IRE(A) shall have completed:
- 2000 hours of flight time as pilots of aeroplanes; and
- 450 hours of flight time under IFR, of which 250 hours shall be as an instructor.
IR Examiner training
The examiner training is called Examiner standardization and required by FCL.1015. An applicant for an Instrument Rating Examiner certificate shall undertake Instrument Rating Examiner standardisation course. The standardisation course consists of theoretical and practical instruction and usually includes following:
- the conduct of 2 skill tests or proficiency checks for the instrument rating or en route instrument rating;
- instruction on the applicable requirements in this part and the applicable air operations requirements, the conduct of skill tests or proficiency checks and their documentation and reporting;
- a briefing on the national administrative procedures, requirements for protection of personal data, liability, accident insurance and fees.
- a briefing on the need to review and apply the items when conducting skill tests or proficiency checks of an applicant for which the competent authority is not the same that issued the Instrument Rating Examiner certificate; and
- an instruction on how to get access to these national procedures and requirements of other competent authorities when needed.
The competent authority may provide the Instrument Rating Examiner course itself or through an arrangement with an ATO.
The course should last for the Instrument Rating Examiner, at least 3 days, divided into:
- theoretical training (1 day) and
- practical training in an FFS conducting real or role-played Instrument Rating proficiency checks or Instrument Rating skill tests (at least 2 days).
Since the examiner privileges are to include the conduct of proficiency checks for the revalidation or renewal of an instrument rating, practical instruction should include the conduct of at least four instrument check profiles in the role of examiner. This training is conducted in the aircraft if approval for testing or checking in the aircraft is required. If examiner privileges in both FSTD and aircraft are required, at least one of the instrument check profiles should be conducted in an FSTD. The training includes:
- briefing,
- conduct of the skill test and proficiency check, assessment of the applicant to whom the test or check is given,
- debriefing and recording or documentation under the supervision of an examiner of the appropriate category
The competent authority or ATO should determine any further training required before presenting the candidate for the examiner assessment of competence with Senior Examiner.
Privileges of IRE(A) ✈️
In accordance with FCL.1005.IRE - the privileges of Instrument Rating Examiner - IRE(A) are to conduct:
- skill tests for issue of:
- EASA Instrument Rating including Competency - Based IR
- En Route Instrument Rating
- Basic Instrument Rating
- proficiency check for revalidation or renewal of:
- EASA Instrument Rating
Enroute Instrument Rating - Basic Instrument Rating
- EASA Instrument Rating
Instrument Rating Examiner Assessment of competence
As required by FCL.1020 applicants for an Instrument Rating Examiner certificate shall demonstrate their competence to an inspector from the competent authority or a senior examiner specifically authorised to do so by the competent authority responsible for the Instrument Rating Examiner certificate through the conduct of a skill test or proficiency check in the Instrument Rating Examiner role. If examiner privileges are to include the conduct of proficiency checks for the revalidation or renewal of an instrument rating, practical instruction should include the conduct of at least four instrument check profiles in the role of examiner. This training is conducted in the aircraft if approval for testing or checking in the aircraft is required. If examiner privileges in both FSTD and aircraft are required, at least one of the instrument check profiles should be conducted in an FSTD.
- briefing,
- conduct of the skill test or proficiency check
- assessment of the person to whom checkride is given,
- debriefing and recording documentation.
Validity of Instrument Rating Examiner
In. accordance with FCL.1025(a), Instrument Rating Examiner certificate is valid for 3 years. Examiner's certificate can be revalidated within 12 months immediately preceding the expiry date. If you are a holder of more than one category of examiner - e.g. you are holder of IRE(A) and CRE MEP(land), all examiner privileges may be revalidated if you comply with the requirements laid down in points FCL.1020(b)(1) and FCL.1020(b)(2) and point FCL.1020 for one of the categories of examiner certificates held.
Download PDF