Originally Posted by
Tinstaafl
No, the respondents haven't gone off on a tangent. They're addressing a rather unique foible of the UK's IFR/VFR vs the rating needed to use such rules.
In the UK you DO NOT need an IR to fly under IFR in Class G airspace. Note I said IFR, *not* IMC.
This leads to the case where a non-instrument rated pilot can fly at night I.A.W. IFR as long as VMC is maintained and the flight remains in the appropriate category of airspace. Hence the various references to the UK's IFR requirements.
Further, Night VFR is not permitted although 'Special VFR' at night is. 'Special VFR' is only available within CTA ie it's an ATC authorised set of flight rules.
What about the "3,000 feet". Is all airspace above 3,000 controlled?
So if flying IFR at night in VMC, do you need to be talking to ATC / flying a flightplan / ?
And finally if an IR rating is not required to fly IFR, then that means a non IR rated pilot can fly an instrument approach (in VMC)... theoretically with no training ?
Mike