Or to remain above a band of icing.
Surely not, if VFR
But very true. I've picked up ice a number of times. Regardless of flight rules, getting VMC on top is a major planning issue, and I think the hardest one because anything resembling reliable tops data just isn't available.
Summer tops in N Europe are typically FL150; winter ones a bit less. O2 is a must.
Another observation is with a lady passenger I fly with on most of my long trips. She gets a headache at FL100 which disappears immediately with O2, even with a small amount. No funny comments please
I think the FAA rules are very good. They ought to be, since the FAA oversees at least 90% of world's aviation.... It's bizzare to see the CAA trying to gold-plate the FAA rules, as usual. I'd just love to see the evidence they are basing this on.