Privileges ✅ of EASA EIR

The privileges of the holder of an en-route instrument rating are to conduct flights by day under IFR in the en route phase of flight. The privileges of EIR may be extended to conduct IFR Night flights the en route phase of flight if the pilot holds a night rating in accordance with FCL.810. The holder of the en route instrument rating may only commence or continue a flight if the latest available meteorological information indicates that:

  • the weather conditions on departure are such as to enable the segment of the flight from take-off to a planned VFR-to-IFR transition to be conducted in compliance with VFR; and
  • at the estimated time of arrival at the planned destination aerodrome, the weather conditions will be such as to enable the segment of the flight from an IFR-to-VFR transition to landing to be conducted in compliance with VFR.

Since the privileges of the enroute instrument rating are only to be exercised in the en route phase of flight, iaw AMC1 FCL.825(a) holder of an EIR should:

  • at no time accept an IFR clearance to fly a departure, arrival or approach procedure;
  • notify the ATS if unable to complete a flight within the limitations of their rating.

Conditions for exercise of En-route Instrument rating

To comply with FCL.825(a)(2), the holder of an enroute instrument rating should not commence or continue a flight during which it is intended to exercise the privileges of the rating unless the appropriate weather reports or forecasts for the destination and alternate aerodrome for the period from one hour before until one hour after the planned time of arrival indicates VMC. The flight may be planned only to aerodromes for which such meteorological information is available. When filing a flight plan, the holder of an enroute instrument rating should include suitable VFR to IFR and IFR to VFR transitions. In any case, the pilot needs to apply the relevant operational rules, which ever are more limiting.

  • A suitable VFR to IFR transition is any navigational fix:
    • to which the flight can be safely conducted under VFR; and
    • which is acceptable to ATS if available.
  • A suitable IFR to VFR transition is any navigational fix
    • to which the flight can be safely conducted under IFR;
    • at which VMC conditions exist; and
    • from where the flight can be safely continued under VFR without having to follow instrument arrival or approach procedures.