Fuji
been abroad for 3 days so missed this thread
I think reading over the posts that we are missing the point getting wrapped up in detail.
Yes there are strong proven safety benefits that come from the IMCR but to the VFR pilot. That cannot be stressed enough. The IMCR can in NO way be seen as a MINI IR.
Ok there are those who use it OCAS as one. Usually very experienced pilots who have added their skills over time. For the majority it is a get out of trouble rating no more no less and that is where its safety benefits come from.
Europe could get around the safety angle by incorporating mandatory IFR traing into the PPL syllabus and use the arguement that some instrumenent training adds to safety FOR THE VFR PILOT.
Europe will never ever buy our IMCR as a mini IR. The Europeans are not going to have what they see as poorly trained PPLs risking a collision in IMC with a commercial carrier.
They will expect all in IMC in CAS to be flying to a set standard.
In that light the IFR on top with visual departure and landing is the most we can expect with a European IMCR.
A european IR for PPLs which has the same flying requirements but with un needed elements removed from the study side is the only realistic way we are going to fly IFR in Europe.
If anyone is expecting more frankly we are kidding ourselves. Who is mandated to do what is irrelevant as the on top suggestion is exactly what I predicted for a European IMCR ages ago in these forums.
As I stated then we need to push for an EIR which is achievable rather than shooting ourselves in the foot following a red herring called an EIMCR.
Pace