Indeed, but there is a subtle difference between going somewhere if
- IMC (or low vis) will kill you
- IMC (or low vis) won't kill you
You could be flying over the Channel on a hazy day and you see absolutely zilch. It is just like IMC. But 100% legal VFR. You can even see the water surface if you look straight down.
So instrument capability, even if not legal, is worth a huge amount
Yes, exactly and I think you are reading between the lines.
To be blunt, if you go places you WILL get caught out by the weather sometime be it your example or something else. I know you know that!
So you will use your IMCr in earnest and be pleased your skills are current and ready.
Some may be even more "cavalier" and if some are to be believed this is as true of us and our European cousins.
To this day I still recall an afternoon at a well kown destination in France when conditions became distinctly IMC. I dont think there was one other IR or valid IMCr holder in the airport on that day but I can guarantee you there werent any aircraft left on the tarmac either.
