CAAP 152-1(10) begs to differ... if the aircraft is to be operated in IMC then it is required to be IFR.
The DZs I've worked with cloud manuals did not operate aircraft IMC. Your logic is a bit skewed - you don't need IFR to drop darts through cloud - only if you want to fly IMC yourself.
why does no one these days monitor area freq
The carriage of radio is not required in G.
I often observe jump pilots cajoling passers-by into moving out of the way or telling them that jumpers are exiting. The law says that the skydivers have to give way to aircraft. In my experience, it's often the jump planes at fault for the underwear staining as they launch the meatbombs knowing that there are aircraft below.
Have heard on Melbourne Radar (oops Melbourne Centre) VH MOO request upgrade to IFR, have heard him descend IFR, make visual via the YMMB NDB approach.
I assume (and happy to be corrected) that the Elwood zone does not have cloud dropping approval. If so - how on earth is it necessary for the drop ship to upgrade for an NDB!!!! Flightaware seems to back up the occasional NDB.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not blaming the pilot(s) - it's the tandem-master who has to decide if the vis is ok to jump. The pilot can be doing everything else right.....
UTR