Originally Posted by
Genghis the Engineer
Regarding cloud, and candidates, most examiners are flying candidates in known school aeroplanes, handed to them by instructors they also know. Few will fly a test in IFR minima. So, I don't get why European examiners are generally happy to fly through a bit of warm CU at 2000ft, whilst FAA examiners won't.
There are very few days in Arizona for which IMC is available and it's actually safe to fly in it. Conditions are 100 mile visibility most days and a few with severe thunderstorms. There are a few days with a benign cumulus layer and I have received pop-up clearances to play in the clouds. I don't know that DPE here refuse to fly in IMC. It's simply not available most of the time.