Originally Posted by
Sam Rutherford
TRUTHSEEKER1 It is always safer for a VFR-only pilot to remain VMC - that is obvious and doesn't need asking.
The issue in this case is that, over water and under overcast - it is possible/probable that there was zero exterior reference. Thus, whilst legally VMC, of no useful purpose.
A friend of mine (completely legally) teaches IMC flying in VFR only aircraft. He achieves this by going out over the Canadian prairie on overcast nights - no stars, no ground illumination. VMC conditions (so flight is legal) but you might as well paint the windscreen with black paint for all you can see through it...
The question was : " Would you think it is safer for a VFR pilot to go up into IMC than try to stay VFR below the crud? " This again is a supposition because it is unknown whether Dave Ibbotson has an IMC or Instrument Rating? ( emphasis on the question
was )
Now it has been confirmed that Dave Ibbotson has/had an expired IMCr with no Instrument flying experience other than occasional cloud contact when parachute dropping which is legally a VFR only activity I will readdress the question : " Would you think it is safer for a EXPIRED IMCr pilot to go up into IMC than try to stay VFR below the crud? " Now on supposition it is rumoured that the de-ice systems on N264DB was U/S so this flight didn't have that option to climb, the question asked is based on a fully serviceable aircraft being capable of FIKI.
Quite a few VFR pilots get caught out by unforeseen weather, so there is a real chance that some readers on here will have firsthand experience of this.......some have got away with it and live to tell the tale & some haven't.
At this juncture it would be best if we all stick to the subject in hand.