In their NPA 2011-16 respones, both IAOPA and the CAA have proposed an amendment to FCL.600 IR General which would incorporate the provisions of FCL1.175(b).
This would facilitate:
- Continuance of the UK IMCR.
- National IRs flown in national airspace only, using the national language (e.g. the new French IR).
- A solution for sailplane tug pilots needing to operate closer than 1000ft vertically to cloud above 3000ft outside Class G airspace - whereas currently many simply ignore the relevant ICAO VFR rules.
A national-only IR should have quite some appeal in France, but less so for those who want to fly to Germany, Italy or Spain than those who wish to fly from the north to the south of France.