Originally Posted by io540
IMHO all that you can do in that situation is declare an emergency, tell them you are instrument capable, and ask for an IAP. I doubt anybody is going to make a fuss. If you just carry on, you are very likely to stick out like a sore thumb because the process of requesting an IFR clearance involves a little bit of terminology which an IMCR pilot may not be familiar with. I know people who got away with this kind of thing but they had the right "lingo", as well as the capability. ATC can usually see from a mile away if somebody is pushing things, and while policing is not their job in most of Europe (I am told German ATC are a part of the police) somebody might decide to report it.
What I should have done was to turn back before the FIR boundary & divert to Luton (it was SRZ airspace in those days & I could have legally flown the approach with an IMC rating). I'd filed a "Y" flightplan with the intention of descending over the North Sea but in deteriorating Wx the London FIR controller asked me if I wished to refile IFR & being a total idiot I just replied "
affirm". "
G-xx for Amsterdam squawk xxxx maintain 5" and the trap was sprung.
I think in those days (this was the mid 1980's) controllers generally turned a blind eye to the dubious activities of PPLs & in some cases seemed to actively condone it.
My point in posting is that there is often an opportunity to 'rescue' a flight before exceeding the privileges of one's licence &, with the benefit of hindsight, I'd encourage others to do so whenever possible. Having an IMCr may tempt you into places you've no business going - but equally the skills you've acquired in the process might also one day save your life .