Great thread.
I totally agree with IO540 - being VFR on top is the essence of IFR flight.
Solid IMC all the way is no fun
(due to inadvertent embedded CB entry/icing etc...)- even in a boeing and therefore even with a stormscope penetrating cloud at high level on an airway can focus one's concentration.
Despite my current IR and TKS equiped A/C with O2 on tap I scrapped Padova to Plymouth on Sunday because of severe convective activity forecast from central France up to the UK. Unlike my Mooney, Easyjet have WX radar, can climb a lot higher than me and can also land in winds gusting to 30mph so I took the easy option (a no brainer). I will collect my aircraft this coming weekend and bring it home (just another excuse to go flying really).
I have to say though that the tephigrams still look like a bunch of wiggly lines to me!
What we really need in europe is WX beamed by data link into the cockpit - I would subscribe in an instant.
SB