I hold a JAA licence.
There are no restrictions on that licence with regard to VMC minima.
I fly on a regular basis in UK, Ireland, France, Belgium and Holland.
When specifying VMC criteria, none of the above countries make any reference to a requirement to be in sight of the surface EXCEPT in the lower airspace 3000ft/1000ft ASFC where there is a requirement for flights to be operated in sight of the surface.
Thus taking Class G. I can be VMC in all the above countries at FL65, 140Kt provided that I remain 1000ft above all cloud and in a flight visibility of 5Km. That is it.
When dealing with VMC minima, I note that in the UK, UK PPLs and BCPLs have further requirements laid down in schedule 8 of the ANO which may be more stringent than the VMC minima.
I don't have a UK licence, thus those more stringent requirements do not apply to me when flying in the UK.
As to landing in a farmers field........well as far as I am aware, that is standard practice for engine failures which require an immediate landing. The farmer is however entitled to sue for compensation as a result.
To look at the situation slightly differently, imagine a twin which has a single engine ceiling of 4000ft flying in VMC at FL85 above a overcast cloud cover base 1000, tops 6000ft........the aircraft does not have to land following an engine failure but it does have to descend to 4000ft. Thus the pilot without IR (IMC in the UK) will be forced to fly illegally and outside their ability in the event of an engine failure.
How many VFR pilots who fly twins are trained for flight in icing conditions????
So basically as far as I am aware VMC on top for a JAA licence holder is legal.......but not good airmanship unless the pilot can cope with IMC flight legally.
Of course another advantage for me is that I can get a special VFR clearance in the UK in a visibility of 3Km without the requirement to hold an IMC rating......another restriction placed on UK licence holders without IMC!!!
I always thought that harmonisation would result in a situation where a JAA PPL has the same privileges regardless of country of issue.......seems that UK PPLs are getting a raw deal compared to foreign visitors!
Regards,
DFC