IMC ground school notes. And some confusion...

[Johnm]

From the Air navigation Order:

Subject to paragraph (2), within the United Kingdom an instrument meteorological
conditions rating (aeroplanes) entitles the holder of a United Kingdom Private Pilot’s
Licence (Aeroplanes) to fly as pilot in command of an aeroplane without being subject
to the restrictions contained in paragraph (2)(c) or (f) of the privileges of the United
Kingdom Private Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplanes).
(2) The rating does not entitle the holder of the licence to fly:
(a) on a special VFR flight in a control zone in a flight visibility of less than three km;
or
(b) when the aeroplane is taking off or landing at any place if the flight visibility below
cloud is less than 1800 metres.


2 c says unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument
meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), you may not fly as pilot in command of such an
aeroplane:
(i) on a flight outside controlled airspace if the flight visibility is less than
three km;
(ii) on a special VFR flight in a control zone in a flight visibility of less than 10 km
except on a route or in an aerodrome traffic zone notified for the purpose of
this sub-paragraph; or
(iii) out of sight of the surface;

2f says unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument
meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command or co-pilot
of such an aeroplane flying in Class D or E airspace in circumstances which
require compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules

To sum up:

You can fly out of sight of the surface (you can anyway on an EASA licence) You can fly under special VFR in Class A airspace if the vis is greater than 3 km (10 km for vanilla PPL)
You can fly under IFR in Class D and below airspace including take off as long as the vis is greater than 1800 metres and landing using Instrument approach procedures.

You can't fly IFR in Class C and above which means you can't fly airways in most cases.

All of the above is exactly the same as a IR(R) on an EASA licence.