In order to apply for a First Officer position for an airline, you are required to hold a commercial pilots licence with a current multi-engine instrument rating (IR). If you don’t find a job within a year of completing your initial instrument rating, you will need to revalidate it in order to maintain your licence currency and be eligible to apply for a flight deck job.How to Keep your Pilot’s Licence Current
We’ve explained the difference between renewing and revalidating the IR, and suggested some places which can provide such a service.
We would recommend maintaining a current IR at all times. The offer of a job can come round quickly and unexpectedly and as you are required to have a current IR in order to commence a type rating, a job offer is unlikely to be made without it.
In order to apply for a first officer position for an airline, you are required to hold a commercial pilots licence with a current multi-engine instrument rating (IR). If you don’t find a job within a year of completing your initial instrument rating, you will need to revalidate it in order to maintain your licence currency and be eligible to apply for a flight deck job.
We’ve explained the difference between renewing and revalidating the IR, and suggested some places which can provide such a service.
We would recommend maintaining a current IR at all times. The offer of a job can come round quickly and unexpectedly and as you are required to have a current IR in order to commence a type rating, a job offer is unlikely to be made without it. You are not required to hold a multi-engine class rating to commence a type rating.
A multi-engine instrument rating (IR) is valid for 12 months after it’s issue or revalidation. An IR shall be revalidated within the three months immediately preceding the expiry date of the rating. The IR revalidation can be completed at the same time as a class rating – this basically means you can revalidate your multi-engine rating alongside your instrument rating. To revalidate the IR, you are required to complete a proficiency check. An IR revalidation can be completed in an FNTP II simulator every other year, however you are unable to revalidate your class rating in the simulator. This can be a significantly cheaper option that completing it in the aircraft. We have compiled a price comparison list for some of the companies that offer IR renewal and revalidation. The fees include aircraft hire and the examiners fee. All prices are approximations – you need to speak to the company for a direct quote. An organisation with EASA & UK Examiners available for hire at various locations across the UK. Free online refreshers are offered as part of the process. Contact via website or email [email protected] Simulator BE76 (No Practice) – £388 Simulator DA42 (No Practice) – £433 Aircraft DA42 (No Practice) – £742Revalidation
Renewal
Where to go . . .
UK Flying.com – June 2021
Multiflight (Leeds)
Simulator BE76 (1 Hours Practice) -£581
Aircraft BE76 (No Practice) – £560Flying Time Aviation (Shoreham)
Simulator DA42 (1 Hours Practice) – £602
Aircraft DA42 (1 Hours Practice) – £1117 Mid Anglia School of Flying (Cambridge)