I have not used the privileges of my UK PPL for several years.
I understand that before being allowed to exercise those privileges again I would have to
(1) successfully pass the required medical examination conducted by an UK CAA-designated AME (since my current Australian CASA’s and FAA’s “medicals” cannot be, apparently, taken into account by the UK CAA while assessing my fitness to fly privately)
(2) successfully pass a revalidation check flight under the watchful eyes of an examiner appointed by the UK CAA, and
(3) then only I would be eligible to apply for the conversion of my UK PPL to an EASA Part-FCL private pilot licence.
I also understand that my long-expired UK IMC rating can be “resurrected” by successfully passing the prescribed flight test.
My question:
Can the two tests mentioned above be “combined” into a single check flight?
Or, would I be required to revalidate my PPL in VMC
BEFORE applying to undergo revalidation of my ability to pilot G-registered airplanes in IMC (only in G airspace under the UK CAA’s jurisdiction 
, of course)?
It depends with who you talk. I also have to pass my flight test and renew the IMC. One instructor said that there is no problem and that he will do it while the other said that it must be done separately. Try to find the one that will do it at the same flight.
You can certainly revalidate the UK PPL (the 2-yearly flight with an instructor) and revalidate the IMCR, both in one flight. That’s how I do it.
But that isn’t quite the question you are asking… You seem to need a renewal (not a revalidation) of both. My guess would be Yes but I am not a specialist in this.
PPL revalidation is a VFR flight and there is no instrument stuff on it.
You can revalidate a PPL or the IMCR or the IR in any aircraft reg, in a single flight, in any airspace, so long as the examiner is properly authorised. For example I do mine in an N-reg, and if I didn’t have the DfT permission (to pay an instructor in a non-G-reg) we could fly over to France and do it there.
I have been browsing some stuff on this lately and there seems to be another issue: it is alleged (but nobody seems sure about it) that if you fail to get your JAR PPL converted to an EASA PPL before April 2014, you lose the IMCR privileges for “EASA aircraft” (which loosely speaking is all planes, all registrations, which have a CofA). Presumably this conversion involves sending some forms and some money to the CAA. Does anybody know the exact process? I would think that anybody revalidating their stuff ought to get this squared up right now. Personally, I have just done my PPL/IMCR/IR revalidation so will need to do this extra step before April 2014.
Thank you Ben and thank you Peter ….
Anyone up there game enough to fly with me ONCE?! 
I should add that while revalidation is self evidently doable outside the UK (it can be done with a freelance examiner and this is true for the PPL, the IMCR and the IR) it is probable that a renewal cannot – because a renewal requires a “school”. Currently this is an RF (a Registered Facility) and these are due to become ATOs. The IR renewal requires an FTO (they are due to become ATOs too).
And I know for a fact that the CAA has recently refused one FTO from doing any flying outside UK airspace (France actually) for IR training. So I would guess the same would apply to revalidating a PPL or the IMCR.
It is also possible that the ban applies only to ab initio training, not to a revalidation……
Can the two tests mentioned above be “combined” into a single check flight?
Yes they can no problem. In order to renew the SEP Class rating you need an assessment from the HT of a RF or ATO and a completed form SRG 1119D which you give to the examiner. Whilst you can do both renewals on the same flight, it may not be the best idea as you will find its a rather lengthy flight and there is little to be gained doing this.
It looks as though you may need to do additional training and possibly retake the IMC written exam depending upon the length of time it has expired. From CAP 804
3.5.2 Renewal
Where the IMC rating or IR (Restricted) has expired by not more than 5 years, the
revalidation requirements of 3.5.1 apply for renewal.
Where the IMC rating or IR (Restricted) has expired by more than 5 years, the candidate
shall carry out dual instruction, at the discretion of the FI or IRI as appropriate covering
the IMC rating course, and pass the Initial IMC Rating Test with an IMC rating examiner
in a suitably equipped aircraft. If the rating has expired by more than 10 years, then the
IMC Theoretical Knowledge Examination must be passed.
So I would guess the same would apply to revalidating a PPL or the IMCR.
I can see no way the CAA can pose a teritorial limit on IMC training; you need of course to be legal in what you are doing wherever that may be.
Thank you – Tumbleweed.
It has been more like 20 years since I got my UK IMCR ….
It appears that getting the IR or the restricted IR privileges into my UK CAA (and, subsequently into an EASA PPL) might be an over-kill for me since I plan to fly EASA-registered little planes only very occassionaly on sight-seeing short trips.
I have one more question, however:
Would I be allowed to take my “review” check flight (under VFR) in a twin and, if I performed reasonably, have then MEL rating added to my PPL (presently I have only SEP rating – expired – appearing in my UK licence)?
I asked an experienced instructor/examiner I know (not CAA employee) to look at this and his comments are>
So my take on this that – as a holder of a JAR-FCL UK issued PPL, with an IMCR and an IR on it – I don’t need to do anything apart from keeping the stuff revalidated (PPL every 24 months, IMCR every 25 months, IR every 12 months).
Would I be allowed to take my “review” check flight (under VFR) in a twin
No. because as you say you do not have a MEP rating on your licence. Even if you did it would not renew your SEP, they are seperate Class Ratings.
To add the MEP Class to your licence you will need to go to an ATO and complerte a course of training then take the ground exam and flight test. Depending on your previous experience you may get a reduction in the course time.
IMC ratings or privileges gained after 7 April 2014 are not convertible to restricted IR on Part FCL licences’ which would suggest that ‘new’ IMCRs obtained after that date will not be recognised on Part FCL EASA licences.
It was recently anounced that the IMC rating would be extended for a further 5 years to April 2019. If you could not put it on an EASA licence there would be no point in continuing the rating!
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today welcomed a proposal from the European Commission to allow the UK to continue issuing the Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) rating for pilots until April 2019. The move follows considerable effort by the CAA and UK GA to support the retention of the rating.
It had previously been agreed that pilots who already held the rating before April 2014 would be allowed to use it indefinitely within the UK and to transfer it to a new EASA Private Pilot’s Licence as an Instrument Rating (Restricted) and this agreement remains.
Praising the move, Andrew Haines, CAA Chief Executive, said: “The IMC rating has proven itself over the years to be a valuable safety tool for UK general aviation – training private pilots to cope with our very unpredictable weather systems. This is a sensible way forward which will aid flight safety in the UK. One of my first commitments to the GA community was that the CAA would argue strongly for the retention of the IMC rating and the privileges and safety benefits it brings. We will continue to make the case for the permanent preservation for the benefit of future generations of pilots.”
There are contradictory statements on the CAA website, that has not been updated, and even the IMC rating privileges on their website are incorrect
