Originally Posted by
AlphaVictorFoxtrot
(Last thing you want is to bumble around low level VFR trying to figure out where IFR traffic is, only for it to pop out of cloud in front of you.)
If the weather is marginal, and you don't have full situational awareness to launch IFR, don't launch until you're ready.
Thanks AVF. Good advice and I think a lesson for me from this. I was imagining a temptation to takeoff if OVC 040 and 10nm MSA of 3400 where I was not 100% certain of the inbound aircraft position but sure I could establish on track at 3,500 until sure.
I am now sure if I’m in that situation in future, I will wait on the ground (or call for clarification).
Thanks too Hoosten - and yes, my instructor is (like me) old enough to remember disco and life before mobile phones, with a genuine skill at passing on his experience.