viz minima
Where I think the anamoly lies is maybe in the definition of flight.
A flight is deemed to have commenced when the aircraft first moves under it's own power with the intention of taking off until coming to a halt after it has landed.
The UK IMC rating absolves the UK pilot from the UK restriction of requireing the 3k in flight minima. The ANO then will allow the IMC Pilot to take off and land using 1500m viz.
A foriegn JAA PPL (basic, 1hr of instrument appreciation/interpretation) flies to the UK in 1500m of viz and lands in 1500m of viz.
A UK/IMC holder (highly trained and qualified in IMC), who has flown VFR also within 1500m visibilty throughout the flight and is No. 2 to the foriegn chap to land, can't, because he requires 1800m. It seems odd and questionable.
The ANO clearly states that the 3000m UK restriction does not apply to the IMC holder - incidentally it dosn't appear to demand that the IMC Rating need be valid, only to be entered in the licence.
The rhetorical question of mine is; on the application of the 1800m minima, it is perhaps applicable only when taking off with the intention to fly IMC or on the completion of an Instrument Approach. i.e. when it is intended to use the priviledges of the IMC rating. When flying VFR 'F' and 'G' you are not exercising the priviledges of the IMC but holding the IMC (valid or not) exempts you differently from the licence restriction imposed on the Basic UK/PPL.