The IMC goes some way to address the PPL IR situation, but it has limitations, though I do feel sorry for some folk abroard who don't even have this option. Why not have a 'cut down' version of the IR, allowing a holder to file IFR here and in Europe, but say capped to 12,500' or so, limited to Private flights only? Call it the IR(restricted) or something, and have a self certification process similar to the FAA IR. During training, previous instrument time should be taken into account, so a previous IMC holder with 50 hrs actual instrument could obtain this rating fairly easily and cheaply.
It has to be accepted at least Europwide and allow flight through Class A TMAs, and airways which shouldn't be a problem. Whether this is done by using 'airway corridors' [IFR prefered routes] through the TMA's or allocating the lower sections of airways as Class D is not for me to say. I think if changes like these were made, then maybe people would be more inclined to spend their hard earned money in Europe rather than take it to the States.
....or maybe Europe sees GA as a pain in the arse and would frankly prefer to see the back of us
Cheers
EA
