Why should the French recognise an IMC? It means nothing and is certainly no instrument rating, it just offers the holder a better chance should they miscalculate the wx
IMCr =
Instrument Met. Conditions Rating.
The word in the title is the give away. It is not the same as an IR, but never the less it is an instrument rating.
Whether it be an IR or IMCr each offer the pilot a better chance.
A current IMCr pilot probably has a better chance than a rusty IR holder.
Everyone should recognise the IMCr because it has stood the test of time - 40 years service with excellent safety record in an enviroment in which the CAA / JAA IR have proved practically unobtainable by most private pilots.
A rating which in unobtainable is a waste of time. A rating which is unsafe is a waste of time. So far as the first condition with respect to private pilots the CAA / JAA IR fails. So far as the first and second condition the FAA IR and the IMCr pass - is it surprising pilots therefore either have a FAA IR or IMCr depending on their needs?