... a lot of the things we accept because they've always happened, like gliders in cloud without complying with IFR...
Aircraft in level flight above 3,000' or the transition altitude - whichever is higher are required to fly according to the quadrantal or semi-circular rules. As stated elswewhere gliders have some difficulty in maintaining level flight for sustained periods so are conforming to rule 34. In any case the transition altitude is above 3000' in many areas and could go as high as 18,000 in the future (CAA & EASA consultations) in which case the argument looks a bit dodgy.
The future SERA (Standardised European Rules of the Air) change all this. Above 3000' they want VFR flights to conform to a semi-circular rule as well as IMC flights.
Yet the glider equipped with literally nothing can legally go there un announced...
My EASA glider is certified for flight in IMC and EASA specifies the additional instrumentation to be carried.
I was vaguely under the impression that
- IFR capable certified aircraft have to obey rules about things that might include instrumentation, structural strength, lightning resistance and so on that are of more relevance inside cloud than out
- uncertified aircraft don't have to obey these rules so are more likely to fall apart in clouds so aren't allowed in them
- it doesn't matter if gliders fall apart in cloud because the pilot is wearing a parachute.
If any of that makes any sense then that might be part of your missing logic!
As such, it seems perfectly reasonable that they don't meet the certification requirements for IFR operations
EASA gliders have to meet EASA certification standards CS-22. They are pretty strong (they have to be to be winch launched), are electrically bonded and meet certification instrumentation requirements. It is true that their lightning resistance is not to CAT standards.
In reality few glider pilots fly in cloud and most of them have been trained to do so in powered aircraft and either hold, or have held, a recognised qualification. However, many glider pilots fly in IMC - i.e. less than 1,000' vertically from cloud above 3,000' and less than 1500 metres horizontally whilst remaining clear of cloud. Once they have (by April 2015) their shiny new EASA sailplane licence (LAPL(S) or SPL they will loose that privilege and be restricted to pure VMC. From that date cloud flying in UK competitions will be banned.
This VFR only rule will hurt the gliding movement (unless they adopt the French approach) since lift is found under clouds and to get anywhere it is highly desirable to climb to near cloud base in a thermal to get the longest glide to the next.
Personally I do fly gliders in cloud sometimes (I have current power instrument qualification) but most of the time I don't. The reasons are simple. The glider gets wet and loses performance. When I'm very near cloud-base I cannot see where the next probable thermal down-track will be so I don't know my best heading. A few hundred feet lower (but not 1000') and I can plan a sensible route.