This service might be interesting for an EASA flight school or private individual seeking for the freelance FIE(A) examiner for IRI(A) assessment of competence.

 ⚠️ What is IRI assessment of competence ✈️

IRI(A) or IRI assessment of competence is the checkride - with an EASA examiner - so-called Flight Instructor Examiner - FIE. The aim of the checkride is to assess the competence of the Exam candidate to provide the flight training towards the instrument rating, basic instrument rating, en-route instrument rating and to teach competency based instrument rating trainees.

The IRI assessment of competence serves also as a checkride for extension of flight instructor privileges in order to provide the IR, EIR, BIR and CB-IR trainings iaw FCL.905.FI(h).

Privileges ✅ of the Instrument Rating Instructor

The Instrument Rating Instructor certificate is valid for 36 months iaw FCL.940. The privileges of a Instrument Rating Instructor iaw FCL.905.IRI are to instruct for the flight training for issue, revalidation and renewal of an en-route instrument rating, competency-based instrument rating, basic instrument rating or an instrument rating.

In addition, privileges of IRI are also appllicable for Multi-pilot license training courses. To instruct for the basic phase of flight training on an MPL course, the IRI(A) shall:

  • hold an instrument rating for multi-engine aeroplanes; and
  • have completed at least 1 500 hours of flight time in multi-crew operations.

Pre-requisites of IRI(A) AoC ✅

 Before attending the IRI assessment of competence, the Exam candidate has to attend the flight training course in flight school. The pre-requisites for obtaining the IRI(A) are specified in:

  • Ab-initio IRI training - FCL.915.IRI(a)
    • 200 hours of flight time under IFR after the issuance of the BIR or the IR, of which at least 50 hours shall be in aeroplanes - to provide training in FSTDs during an approved training course at an ATO, have completed at least ;
    • 800 hours of flight time under IFR, of which at least 400 hours shall be in aeroplanes to provide training in an aeroplane;  
    • to apply for an IRI(A) for multi-engine aeroplanes, meet the requirements of FCL.915.CRI(a), FCL.930.CRI and FCL.935;
  • FI(A) extension to IRI privileges - FCL.905.FI(h) for FI(A) holder 
    • 200 hours of flight time under IFR, of which a maximum of 50 hours may be instrument ground time in an FFS, an FTD 2/3 or an FNPT II;

IRI Training course ✅

The IRI should be able to identify common errors and how to correct them properly, which should be emphasised at all times. The aim of the IRI training course is to provide the training up to the level of competence defined in FCL.920 and adequate to a instrument rating instructor.  In accordance with FCL.930.IRI, the IRI training course consists of three parts:

  • Part 1: teaching and learning (AMC1 FCL.920);
    • 25 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction.
  • Part 2: technical training
    • 10 hours of technical training, including revision of technical knowledge, the preparation of lesson plans and the development of classroom/simulator instructional skills.
  • Part 3: flight instruction
    • Ab-initio IRI(A) - at least 10 hours on an aeroplane, FFS, FTD 2/3 or FPNT II.
    • FI(A) extension - at least 5 hours on an aeroplane, FFS, FTD 2/3 or FPNT I

Conduct of IRI ✈️ assessment

The format and application form for the IRI assessment of competence are determined by the state of license issue. For the purpose of IRI assessment, an aircraft that meets the requirements for training aircraft shall be met. EASA FIE examiner acts as the PIC, except in circumstances agreed upon by the EASA examiner when another instructor is designated as Pilot-in-command for the flight.

During the assessment of competence the Exam candidate occupies the seat normally occupied by the Instructor Rating Instructor. The EASA examiner functions as the ‘student’. The Exam candidate is required to explain the relevant exercises and to demonstrate their conduct to the ‘student’, where appropriate. The exercises are specifically focused on instrument-related exercises.

Thereafter, the ‘student’ executes the same manoeuvres (if the ‘student’ is the EASA examiner or another instructor, this can include typical mistakes of inexperienced students). The Exam candidate is expected to correct mistakes orally or, if necessary, by intervening physically.

The IRI assessment of competence should also include additional demonstration exercises, as decided by the EASA examiner and agreed upon with the Exam candidate before the assessment. These additional exercises should be related to the training requirements for the applicable instructor certificate. In case of IRI, those exercises are focused on:

  • 2D approach
  • 3D approach
  • IFR holding pattern entries
  • basic maneouvers and UPRT

All relevant exercises of IRI assessment of competence shall be completed within a period of 6 months. However, all exercises should, where possible, be completed on the same day. In principle, failure in any exercise requires a retest covering all exercises, with the exception of those that may be retaken separately. The EASA examiner may terminate the assessment at any stage if they consider that a retest is required.

Content of IRI ✈️ assessment

Section 1 - the oral theoretical knowledge examination part of the assessment of competence, is subdivided into two parts:

  • The Exam candidate is required to give a lecture under test conditions to other ‘student(s)’, one of whom will be the EASA FIE(A) examiner. The test lecture is to be selected from items of section 1. The amount of time for preparation of the test lecture is agreed upon beforehand with the FIE(A) examiner. Appropriate literature may be used by the applicant. The test lecture should not exceed 45 minutes;
  • The applicant is tested orally by an EASA examiner for knowledge of items of Section 1 and the ‘core instructor competencies: teaching and learning’ content given in the instructor courses.

Sections 2, 3 and 5 - sections comprise exercises to demonstrate the ability to be an Instructor Rating Instructor chosen by the examiner from the flight syllabus of the Instructor Rating Instructor training course. The Exam candidate is required to demonstrate Instructor Rating Instructor abilities, including briefing, flight instruction and de-briefing.

Section 4 comprises additional Instructor Rating Instructor demonstration exercises for multi-engine aircraft. This section is completed in addition to sections 2, 3 and 5.

  • Section 1: Theoretical knowledge
    • 1.1. Air law
    • 1.2 Aircraft general knowledge
    • 1.3 Flight performance and planning
    • 1.4 Human performance and limitations
    • 1.5 Meteorology
    • 1.6 Navigation
    • 1.7 Operational procedures
    • 1.8 Principles of flight
    • 1.9 Training administration
  • Section 2: Pre-flight Briefing
    • 2.1 Visual presentation
    • 2.1 N/A
    • 2.3 Technical accuracy
    • 2.4 Clarity of explanation
    • 2.5 Clarity of speech
    • 2.6 Instructional technique
    • 2.7 Use of models and aids
    • 2.8 Student participation
  • Section 3: Flight
    • 3.1 Arrangement of demo
    • 3.2 Synchronisation of speech with demo
    • 3.3 Correction of faults
    • 3.4 Aircraft handling
    • 3.5 Instructional technique
    • 3.6 General airmanship and safety
    • 3.7 Positioning and use of airspace
  • Section 4: Multi-engine exercises
    • 4.1 Actions following an engine failure shortly after take-off
    • 4.2 SE approach and go-around
    • 4.3 SE approach and landing
  • Section 5: Post-flight de-briefing
    • 5.1 Visual presentation
    • 5.2 Technical accuracy
    • 5.3 Clarity of explanation
    • 5.4 Clarity of speech
    • 5.5 Instructional technique
    • 5.6 Use of models and aids
    • 5.7 Student participation

Pass criteria ✅ of the EASA IRI(A) assessment

The Exam candidate for instrument rating instructor shall be assessed in order to verify the competences required by FCL.920. The IRI assessment of competence should be made against performance standards described in AMC1 FCL.920 in following areas: 

  • Prepare resources,
  • Create a climate conducive to learning,
  • Present knowledge,
  • Integrate Threat and Error Management (TEM) and crew resource management,
  • Manage time to achieve training objectives,
  • Facilitate learning,
  • Assess trainee performance,
  • Monitor and review progress,
  • Evaluate training sessions,
  • Report outcome.
  • Prepare resources,
  • Create a climate conducive to learning,
  • Present knowledge,
  • Integrate Threat and Error Management (TEM) and crew resource management,
  • Manage time to achieve training objectives,
  • Facilitate learning,
  • Assess trainee performance,
  • Monitor and review progress,
  • Evaluate training sessions,
  • Report outcome.