Originally Posted by
FREDAcheck
I hate to stir up the argument about illegal IMC flying, but I think there's plenty of evidence that it happens. I know of quite a few people without IMCR happily flying VFR on top (and flying IMC to get there). I watched dozens of them doing it on departure from the PFA Rally a few years ago.
I suspect, but have no facts, that 'illegal VFR' flying is a very British phenomenon. The rules here are much more fluid than elsewhere (lots of Class G, IFR and some IMC privileges for PPLs, some non-standard VFR restrictions, and a simple set of IFRs that for a PPL often become one with the VFRs).
The anecdotes I have heard tend to involve G-reg aircraft all around Europe and not a lot of local aircraft - for example LFAT on an IMC day seems to have a G-reg but no F reg movements - but that could just be my perspective.
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I have an IMC and fly IFR regularly, but I got my IMC off the back of my FAA IR so it doesn't really help Bose's data gathering.