VFE
You may find it interesting to spend some time at an airfield the next time there is an advancing front. It is worth noting that you can see the advancing base from some way a way. It is also worth noting that you have a pretty good idea of the departing conditions - a sort of crystal ball into the future.
HHH to Southern Europe.
.. .. .. which might lead one to suspect we are dealing with a pilot with some experience.
as might
I estimate that I had been in cloud for about 1 to 1½ minutes.
In short, I find little evidence one way or the other - but then I neither have your crystal ball, nor was I there.
PS You may want to look up admitance and competancy.
Anyway it was your comment that the pilot should have left his aircraft in the hangar, followed by aviate, navigate, communicate - even the first part is going to be a challenge within the confines of hangar.
Tell you what, how about we settle on:
Better to be down here .. .. ..
I always like that one.