Is an IMC really needed?

[FormationFlyer]

Hi Folks,

OK. Lets correct a few misconceptions about the IMC rating & the difference between flight conditions and flight rules. Seems to be some confusion on the thread.

Whatever folks say the LAWS of the UK vest certain privileges on a pilot. Those privileges are flight in IMC conditions, and approaches (both precision/non-precision) with A/D visibility of 1800m and minima of 500'(precision) or 600' (non-precision) or OCH adjusted appropriately whichever is the higher.

There is *NO* statement it is a 'get out of jail free' rating. There is *NO* statement of the IMC ratings intentions in ANY offical CAA documentation and NEVER HAS BEEN. Re: CAP53 & now LASORS.

This 'IMC Rating should be gained but not used' is poppycock. The LAW defines your privileges and you are allowed to fly within those privileges. If the CAA did NOT mean to give pilots the privilege to conduct entire flights under IMC in accordance with their minima then they should have made the rating different and used different wording in the laws. But they havent. So unless you folks can provide documentary evidence from the CAA/UK statutes that shows A LEGAL restriction on the operations an IMC rated pilot may persue I suggest opinion is best left at the door.

Also...dont forget folks IFR & IMC are two completely different beasts...as a PPL you can fly IFR the same as ANYONE with ANY licence. What you cannot do however, is venture into conditions/airspace that require COMPLIANCE with IFR. Namely controlled airspace and IMC conditions...therefore even a 'lowly' PPL can fly IFR in VMC. Remember though, that flying as such you can only accept VFR/SVFR clearances through controlled airspace as only a pilot you can comply with IFR (and enter IMC legally) is allowed to accept an IFR clearance.

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In the old UK-CAA non-JAR days the IMC rating allowed you to take the ATPL ground exams earlier than you otherwise could - if I recall you needed soming like 150 hrs TT to take the exams but having an IMC rating meant 100hrs TT was enough - somin like that - hence the IMC rating had a lot going for it. Thus 3 months after completing my PPL I did my IMC rating and flew within the privileges bestowed on me by the laws of England. Yeah I flew 2.5 hr flights between Gloucester & Newcastle with 50% of that IMC and an ILS at newcastle...even more time was spent in IMC on the return.

If you are allowed to fly within the privileges you have been given, *and* you feel confident that your own ability/currency/limitations are compatible then fly....

As for now? Well if you are gonna take 8 months to get ATPL exams out the way then I suggest an IMC rating *even* if you are going to do an IR - it makes the IR easier - you know a lot of what to expect. Its just more of the same to a higher standard with some more bits thrown in...'commercial' thinking for a start...

Sorry about the tone but it really does annoy me that this 'myth' about the IMC rating being a 'get out of trouble' rating is continually perpetuated - you dont hear the CAA saying this.

Hope this helps,
FF