Sorry for hijacking the thread.....
Originally Posted by IO540
Not really correct, and I would suggest it may be unhelpful to those pilots whose license privileges (which is another way of saying time and money) limit them to VFR flight rules.
What I would call "smarter VFR pilots" navigate using instrument methods even if flying under visual flight rules.
Obviously I don't know everything but in 600+ hours over 4-5 years have never been lost, "uncertain of position", scared (except when scared by a mad instructor), etc etc so I guess I know a little bit about this stuff, and this is what I've been doing since the day after my PPL skills test.
Also, a lot of UK pilots are limited to VFR only when flying outside the UK.
As regards IFR, actually the name of the game is to get into VMC, below cloud or above cloud. Nobody likes to sit in cloud; it's usually bumpy and there is the risk of airframe icing.
I deliberately avioded the IMC rating issue because a) i know very little about it and b) it is beside the point. If one wants to be able to have some flexibility with weather for touring then go for fixed wing because instrument flying is more attainable. The fact remains there is only VFR or IFR.
I too had 600+ hrs after 4 years of flying, but I have been lost on one or two occasions and I have been scared once or twice. All of them were quality learning experiences.