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Basic Instrument Rating (BIR)

Privileges and conditions

Basic Instrument Rating (BIR) will give pilots holding a PPL(A) or a CPL(A) the privileges to fly under IFR, including PBN operations, with a minimum decision height of no less than 400 feet (120 m).

An applicant for a modular BIR course shall:

  • hold at least a valid PPL(A), and 
  • have the privileges to fly aeroplanes at night if the IR privileges will be used at night. (Night rating NR is not required for BIR if you do not intend to fly at night.)

If an instrument rating is added to a PPL, the licence holder shall undertake pure tone audiometry examinations in accordance with the periodicity and the standard required for class 1 medical certificate holders.
Before skill test, the student must have completed a language proficiency test with at least level 4 in English.

Flight Training

Approximately 30 hours instrument flight time under instruction.
BIR is entirely competency based and no minimum hours are defined. Flight times are an assessment made by the flight school, but less or additional training may be required to achieve the required skills.

The Basic Instrument Rating flight training is divided into three modules:
(1) Module 1: Pre-flight operations and general handling
(2) Module 2: Departure, precision (3D) approach procedures and non-precision (2D) approach procedures
(3) Module 3: En-route IFR flight procedures

The flight training can be partially completed with a freelance instrument rating instructor. Module 1 and 2 may be commenced outside an ATO but shall be completed at an ATO. Module 3 may be completed outside an ATO.

If you have an expired IR rating for more when 7 years, you can easily renew it with a BIR rating without a new theory examination. See “Credits for previous experience” below.

Price 86 100 SEK (30 hours). Paid by installments during the course. (App. 2 870 SEK per block hour with a flight instructor in the Piper PA28 with Garmin EFIS)

Distance Theory Course

The BIR(A) theory training consists of 105 hours (15 hours per week) distance learning/self studies with literature from Flygcert.com, followed by 14 hours classroom instruction conducted at the flight schools facilities at Trollhättan, Stockholm Bromma or Malmö Sturup Airport.

The course includes two weekends of classroom instruction at the flight school and if desired, we will plan CAA examinations (PEXO) in direct connection with thees occasions.
School tests and CAA examinations are performed at the flight school.

Subjects:

  • RNAV – Radio navigation
  • INS – Instrumentation
  • HP – Human performance
  • ALW – Air law
  • MET – Meteorology
  • COM – Communications
  • FPM – Flight planning and monitoring

The price includes:

  • Flygcert.com CB IR/BIR course in English
  • Support during the self-study period including progress monitoring
  • Classroom lessons
  • School tests with review
  • Planning for CAA tests

Price 19 500 SEK. Paid before the theory course starts. (Additional training material below not included)

You buy your additional training material here

Aviationexam (Question bank)
Jeppesen General Student Pilot Route Manual GSPRM

Theory Course start week 10 and 36 but you can start your flight training and self studies anytime!

Note:
This course is available at ESGT Trollhättan, ESSB Bromma and ESMS Malmö Sturup. All prices include VAT. Flight club membership, Examination and Certificate costs are not included.

Flight Training – BIR
Flight lessons – BIR Module 1Flight lessons – BIR Module 2Flight lessons – BIR Module 3
1.1Use of flight manual2.1Weather minima3.1Use of air traffic services document
1.2Pre-flight inspection2.2Pre-take-off briefing, take-off3.2Preparation of ATC and IFR flight plan
1.3General handling2.3Instrument departure procedures3.3En-route IFR procedures
1.4Recovery from unusual attitudes, stall2.4Arrival procedures3.4En-route IFR procedures cont.
1.5Repetition2.5Holding procedure (NDB)3.5Repetition
1.6Progress check2.6Holding procedure (VOR, RNAV)3.6Progress check
2.73D operations (ILS)
2.83D operations (ILS) cont.
2.93D operations (RNP)
2.102D operations (NDB)
2.112D operations (LOC, VOR)
2.122D operations (RNP)
2.13Repetition
2.14Progress check
Distance Theory Course – CB IR/BIR (See under Schedule for actual dates)
WeekWeekDay/TimeLessonGround lessonClassroom (h)Distance (h)
1036Sat 13-150Introduction2
11
12
13
14
37
38
39
40
Self studies – 062 RADIO NAVIGATION
Self studies – 022 INSTRUMENTATION
Self studies – 040 HUMAN PERFORMANCE
Self studies – 010 AIR LAW
15
15
15
15
1541Sat 8-17


Sun 8-17
1
2
3
4
5
062 RADIO NAVIGATION
022 INSTRUMENTATION
040 HUMAN PERFORMANCE
010 AIR LAW
Progress check, school tests and review
2
2
2
2
4
1642Mon 17-21CAA tests PEXO
16
17
18
42
43
44
Self studies – 050 METEOROLOGY
Self studies – 090 COMMUNICATION
Self studies – 033 FLIGHT PLANNING & MONITORING
15
15
15
1945Sat 8-17

Sun 8-13
6
7
8
9
050 METEOROLOGY
090 COMMUNICATION
033 FLIGHT PLANNING & MONITORING
Progress check, school tests and review
2
2
2
4
2046Mon 17-21CAA tests PEXO
Credits for previous experience

EASA Part-FCL | Subpart I – Additional ratings | FCL.835 Basic instrument rating (BIR)

(h) Applicants for the BIR who hold a PPL or CPL issued in accordance with Annex I (Part-FCL) and a valid IR(A) issued in accordance with the requirements of Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention by a third country may be credited in full towards the training course referred to in paragraph (c)(2)(Flight instruction). In order to be issued with the BIR, the applicants shall:
(1) successfully complete the skill test;
(2) demonstrate orally to the examiner during the skill test that they have acquired an adequate level of theoretical knowledge of air law, meteorology, and flight planning and performance; and
(3) have experience of at least 25 hours of flight time under IFR as PIC on aeroplanes.

(j) The holder of an IR shall receive full credits for the requirement in paragraph (c)(2)(Flight instruction).

eFlight Training note:
If you have an expired IR rating for more when 7 years, you can easily renew it with a BIR rating without a new theory examination. Theory examination for BIR has unlimited validity. This means that your previous theory examination is still valid for a BIR rating.

BIR – operating and planning minima
Operating minimaPlanning minima
Ceiling / DH/MDHVISCeilingVIS
Departure aerodromeat least 600 ft,
or circling minima,
whichever is highest
1 500 mat least 600 ft,
or circling minima,
whichever is highest
1 500 m
Destination and alternate aerodromeDH/MDH + 200 ft1 500 mat least 600 ft,
or circling minima,
or DH/MDH + 200 ft
whichever is highest
1 500 m