Originally Posted by
Squawk7700
IMC with no clearance would imply VFR ops into IMC.
Clearances have nothing to do with whether you can operate IFR... you dont need ATC permission to be IFR. RPT aircraft can operate OCTA in IMC under the IFR without a clearance (and I have on several occasions), exactly the same as any other aircraft. Clearances are only required INSIDE controlled airspace, they have nothing to do with the rules you operate under - what changes is the service ATC provide (traffic information, etc).