Well,
If I ever have to have surgery, I'd prefer to have a qualified surgeon, rather than one who quit school after learning the basics
As I see it, the IMC rating is a mid-way point between VFR and IFR. Maybe if used responsibly, its relativly safe. I don't know about statistics, but it seems that mid-airs can happen any time. The chances of it happening in the middle of a cloud have to be greater.
Pondlife,
If more people are afraid of it, and don't do, that makes it safer. However, if nobody does it, its even safer.
The UK is the only place, I think!, where it exists. Are UK clouds a lot thinner, or are UK pilots better than everybody else?
No. I'll leave it to you.
I value my life too much to take the cheap option.
PS. Ian,
Thanks for the info. Also, I know it would not be 'controlled' in the open FIR, but with limited access it would serve the same purpose!
[This message has been edited by NIMBUS (edited 03 February 2001).]