I am totally with homeguard on this.
Inadvertent entry into IMC by a non-qualified pilot = wait for the accident.
Inadvertent entry into IMC only happens when one does not look out the window. If one was VMC in the first place then one must leave VMC to go IMC.....why not simply look out the window and ensure that you stay VMC.
Planning will not help predict when the weather is not as forecast....but....planning for that posibility can prevent one being left in the position where the safer option is to land in an unprepared field.
We do not teach operation at minimum level and the precautionary landing simply for those to be ignored when the only alternative is unqualified flight in IMC.
If weather at the place where one flies usually only permits 2 or 3 suitable days per year then either move to a better climate or obtain further training/ qualifications and/or better equipment to permit flight on more days per year.
Reading the comments passed on the qualifying crosscountry regarding the minimum safe level to fly at (incorrectly called a minimum safe level or Safty Altitude etc) mentioned the need for such a level in case the flight entered IMC..........no! no! no!
That level is there so that if you are being forced down to it by the cloudbase, it is time to make a decision to turn back or divert. Going IMC in such a case is simply not an option.
Finally. Recently heard while inbound to a regional in the UK;
XXX Approach G-YYYY request FIS
G-YYYY, XXX Approach pass your message
G-YYYY is a PA28 from AAA to BBB via CCC 3000ft on QNH10?? VFR intermittant IMC request FIS.
Lovely R/T but how can they believe that they are VFR when flying in and out of IMC?
Regards,
DFC