Originally Posted by
BEagle
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Such a Rating would provide the pilot with the following privileges:[LIST][*]To fly IMC/IFR in permitted airspace other than Class A.
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This specific point is very UK centric.
In the UK 'Class A' could be considered a euphemism for, 'enroute airspace in which passenger transport operates'. Which is why we have low level Class A out to the CI for the altitude impaired Islanders.
Almost nowhere else in Europe (Italy excepted) creates this Iron Wall between totally controlled and totally uncontrolled airspace. If there is any chance of explaining the IMCr concept to our colleagues in Europe, we need a more general description of the airspace in which this rating would be valid.
It is also worth remembering that European transport aircraft fly with VFR traffic separated only by 500 feet in and across the airways. As well, unfortunate experience shows that Jet Transport are not really capable of 'seeing and avoiding' in VMC, so you could argue that having more aircraft IFR in the 5 to 15k foot range would reduce collision risk (which is what I am assuming is the concern in Airline and Regulator world).