Originally Posted by
The Ancient Geek
The IMC rating was a UK only rating dating back to before the UK joined EASA. It was very effective in reducing fatalities caused by the unpredictable British weather. It was intended to get private pilots safely on the ground when trapped by weather.
EASA wanted to scrap it in the name of unification but after much argument with member states all having different agendas they came up with the idea of the Basic Instument Rating.
As usual they gold plated a simple idea and added more training hoops to jump through to qualify. When fully implemented the derogation which allowed the UK to retain the IMC rating will end and the same rating will apply throughout EASA.
An excellent summary.
I have long thought that given the vagaries of the UK (and northern European generally) weather which almost guarantee a VFR bust at some stage, basic instrument training should be included in the PPL syllabus. 10 hours under the hood could make a huge difference and add greatly to pilot competence in an area of GA which may neither need nor want more advanced training.