A little history. Prior to 1970 PPLs flew in IMC outside CAS (such that CAS existed). These pilots held no rating and received no training as part of the PPL. The more sensible took some instruction and flew VDF let downs.
It was decided that training and a formal qualification made sense. Of course many pilots had already acquired the ability to fly on instruments. They were grandfathered into the new IMC rating by test alone; everyone else undertook 10 hours of training and a test.
I doubt the merit of comparison with other countries. In those days GA was strong in the States and reasonably strong in the UK. The US went their way and devised an Instrument Rating that was widely accessible. In our indomitable way we devised a rating that enabled the private pilot to continue doing what he had always done, but kept him out of the airways. In other countries, such that GA was a popular pursuit, pilots continued to find there own way on top of the cloud much as they continue to do today. South of the UK they rarely had the need to fly in the clag and north of the UK – well they just didn’t.
For those reasons the IMC rating is unique to the UK.
It has stood the test of time – and what better test is there? Its safety record is exemplary, some say there has never been an accident involving an IMC rated pilot in instrument conditions, and some say there has been a very few accidents. Which ever are right it is a remarkable success story.
EASA was mandated to enable a common regulatory framework among member states. That meant out would go national ratings and in would come single European ratings. The trouble is no one told the French. They rather liked there mountain rating and weren’t about to have Johny Foreigner. landing on their altiports any more than they were going to have us teach them to ski. Ah yes then there was the Brevet de Bas, they were also not about to give that up without a fight. No one else in Europe really cared about the Frog’s rather quaint ratings – after all they didn’t have mountains, or if they did, they didn’t have many mountain airports, or if they had both, they didn’t have any GA.
They did however care about the instrument rating. The professional pilots associations that dominated EASA certainly didn’t want amateur pilots playing with the big boys and, in any event, they didn’t understand the IMC rating because, after all, they didn’t have it. If those dumb Brits. had a death wish that was up to them, but they weren’t going to do it in their airspace, nor where they going to Lord it up in EASAs airways while everyone else played catch up.
The trouble was no one thought to ask us. Worse still, no one thought to establish whether their preconceived ideas had any foundation. Regulatory impact assessment – what was that? Event the bastions of the UK GA community didn’t really know what they thought or which horse to back.
EASA received their first surprise when two and half thousand British pilots petitioned the PM and generally caused quite a rumpus about the threatened demise of the IMC rating. Timothy Kirkhope one of our MEPs and a keen pilot waded in. An “emergency” meeting was called in London hosted by the CAA and EASA at which EASA acknowledged they were not about to so readily kill off the IMC rating.
EASA then went into closed session. Committee members were required to sign confidentiality statements and the leeks started – so much for open Government.
So where are we? EASA realise the IMC rating is a hot chestnut. They have to placate the Brits. but they don’t really want the Brits well, erhm, being cowboys.
Of course we Brits know we are not cowboys – well any more than the French who just punch through the clouds to get on top with a shrug – I neeeever saw any cloud.
Fortunately there are still lot of pilots in GA in the UK. Sadly they come and go, and the turnover is high, but many put themselves through an IMC each year, renew their rating for many of the years they remain in GA and come to appreciate why the IMC rating is so important.
If enough keep the faith those doubters in Europe will not have their way, but we may need to be prepared to fight for our rights.
Sorry to have bored you.