Fuji,
Believing that you are displaying intelligence and presence is very different from displaying intelligence and presence.
Wonderful with hindsight. But how do I judge in flight if I am merely "believing" or actually exercising?
You would be a fool to think any set of rules can protect you from a misplaced belief
I don't know what set of rules you are talking about. The rule I am talking about, the one about not continuing VFR into IMC does protect you from the potentially misplaced belief that it is ok to do so.
Now what would you do?
I typed it before, but I'll repaste my opinion on Nick's scenario. "Maintain VFR and either go back to get under the layer in VMC or divert to somewhere you can land at within your licence and rating privileges. If you can't, declare an emergency. "
How is this complicated? Nick asked a simple question to which there is a simple answer. Any number of stories about Milk FLoats or BA Captains or Chuck Yeager or the Red Arrows or anything else won't change this.
brgds
421C