In your quote of the JAA PPL privileges in the ANO you have started at para 3, it is para 2 where the FCL1.175 restriction is mentioned - in the ANO. (I should have been clearer, there is no wording on the licence itself re. 1.175 it is in the ANO).
It is very sneaky the way this privilege is removed via a reference to a section of a separate document. It was only when someone else pointed the implication out that I twigged. I agree whole heartedly that the whole set of drafting is way too complex for the average person (and probably too complex for the regulator as well!)
MM Flynn,
Thanks for pointing out the restriction on JAA licences. I stand corrected. As you say very sneaky!
This only confirms the fact that the EASA licence will, like the NPPL, be strictly VFR in true VMC and that existing UK PPL licence holders will probably loose more than the option of an IMC rating in the spring of 2012, they will also loose the option to fly IMC as long as clear of cloud.
I did respond to the EASA consultation (with nearly 90 personal comments and suggestions) including a strong objection to the loss of the above limited IMC privilege; I hope enough others did as well to make them think again.
Jim.