”1 had an expired IMC Rating and wanted to fly around France with a compass and a stopwatch”
What is wrong with this? I assume he had a chart as well, in which case he was doing what most of us do.
I was going to dig out the French ZIT collection PDF at the SIA website but don't have the time.
Then I was going to dig out the references to the maximum fines for busting these, and the rules under which aircraft confiscation is a possibility, but haven't got a clue where to look for this.
If somebody is renting out a 150kt IFR tourer, he is entitled to make sure the renter understands the equipment aboard. ALL of it.
If a renter gets into trouble, he will just walk away from it, while the owner picks up the bill for all the rest.