TAKING OFF UNDER THIS FORECAST
Er excuse me chaps, don't want to interrupt but my ATPL Air Law course taught me that......
VFR flights shall not take off or land at an aerodrome within a CTZ, ATZ or traffic pattern :
a) when cloud ceiling is less than 1500ft or;
b) when GROUND vis is less than 5000m.
You may be Authorised to take off and land under more marginal conditions but this requires an SVFR clearance from an ATCU.
I don't remember the figures on the original post exactly but a vis of about 3500 was quoted with various cloud layers at 400-800ft.
This does not represent a VFRable departure as far as I can tell. The mere fact you immediately wish call the flight IFR just after takeoff tells you the full story!
Imagine this scenario....... you had engine failure/problems at say 1500ft. you are probably 2-3 mins after takeoff in a low winged single with 8-10:1 glide ratio........what would you do?
Think about it.
There is a blanket of cloud below you (ovc800). Any Nav aids or a friendy ATC with radar to vector you back, that is if you have time to make the radio call.
Thankfully this forum allows pilots a chance to find out about these issues and many others. I may well be right off the mark with my own knowledge and someone more senior may be able to put me straight, but in my book caution is the best option.
Yes some of these VFR/IFR rules are confusing and can ofetn be interpreted in many different ways and I think that is a major problem both for pilots and the regulatory authorites ie JAA/CAA.
The AIPs and ANOs are not exactly easy reading and finding anything for reference purposes can take ages. In Australia the CASA (OZ CAA) produce a DAY VFR guide which includes virtually all the relevant air law for VFR flying. It even has a glossary and an index with page numbers for you to look thinks up 'at a glance'.
Maybe some clarification of what a VFR departure is needs doing by the CAA.
What do you think?
regards
Tropo