Originally Posted by
AdamFrisch
We all know calling up a radar service is optional, and even if I do so, this doesn't mean the other one chap has bothered to. So if I'm in clouds IFR in G airspace, how to avoid hitting someone else doing exactly the same?
luck? It took me years to get used to the fact that in many areas it is just big sky that provides the separation (I learned in the US East coast where all IFR is done in CAS - even if it is E - and being IFR without a flight plan is either illegal in itself or reckless if it is in class G). However, the fact is it seems to work (not withstanding the fact that Pace nearly wrapped a glider around his twin
)
Just to provide some context to IOs 800 vs 400 comment. At most UK airports 800 ft AGL will be above any obstructions within miles, 400 ft AGL can be in the high tension lines a mile or so before the runway. So the risk (and hence the view of reckless) is quite a bit lower if you break off the approach at 800 ft without seeing the ground rather than 400 ft.
Just to recap - so I could take off in the soup from Lydd, no flight plan, drill on in the soup in G airpace on my GPS. Fly around London City TMA like you do on any VFR flight and then pop down to 1000ft when my GPS says I'm near Elstree and have a look if I see the field? This is fully legal, I don't need to speak or file with anyone?
Yes