Fuji
Disagree, this time. I think there's fairly good agreement what we want.
A means for PPL holders to fly IFR, not just in the UK, that would enable us to use light aircraft as a serious means of transport.
To get that, there are 5 options:
1. Get a JAA PPL/IR.
Issues: inaccessible, classroom study, few training establishments for private piltos, etc.
2. Try to negotiate a more accessible JAA IR.
Issue: difficult negotiation, various entrenched views or vested interests to overcome, ec.
3. Try to negotiate a JAA-wide version of the UK IMC rating.
Issues: can't use class A airspace, would be valid in JAA countries only, needs probably even more negotation than option 2, etc.
4. Get an FAA PPL/IR, and operate an N-reg aircraft.
Issue: we shouldn't have to, some countries have the French attitude to N-reg aircraft, you're subject to decisions taken in the US (imagine if after some future event, operation of N-reg aircraft was restricted to US citizens or residents.... we'd be stuffed), etc.
5. Try to negotiate Genghis' multi-level IR.
I vote for option 2.