Do it, it's worth it. Starting in October is good. I did mine in deepest West Wales in winter time. Flying in real (read bumpy) IFR conditions made using foggles a breeze later. Mine has since lapsed as my current chariot is a PFA machine and we all know the wings fall off them when you bump into a cloud. As was mentioned earlier, climbing through a thin layer to find an evening sun on top is wonderful.