Well, here's a classic reason for an IMCR. Today's TAF for an aerodrome gave 080718Z 0809/0909 21012KT 9999 BKN018 BECMG 0809/0812 FEW040. Given that, I'd happily set off to fly there VFR at 1000 ft agl and enjoy the view en route. No need for any IMC, just a healthy regard for Rule 5.
Which would have been fine, except that the METAR later showed 080850Z 20006KT 9999 BKN013 20/17 Q1017 BECMG BKN018 and then 080950Z 21010G21KT 9999 BKN012 20/17 Q1017 BECMG BKN018.
There was no indication of such a low cloudbase on the TAF and I wouldn't particularly wish to fly under VFR in those circumstances - so would have climbed to VMC on top, followed the GPS track and asked for a SRA to visual on arrival.
Seemples!
But with only a chocolate teapot rating, I'd either be stuck going round and round looking for a hole, in order to try to squeeze in at low level - or would have been obliged to weave around the hills and towns underneath with the ever-present 1000 ft rule in mind. Not nice to be stuck on top waiting for the weather-guessers' alleged BECMG to make its eventual appearance....
And whence cameth the unforecast 21 knot gusts?
Last edited by BEagle; 8th Sep 2009 at 10:22.