still a little muddled with the different rules between what a PPL is allowed to do, what the VFR rules are and what VMC is.
A brand new (EASA) PPL Holder will be entitled to fly VFR by Day only.
Therefore learn the definition of night and learn, learn, learn, understand and implement the Visual Flight Rules!
Does the weather allow me to fly VFR if I wish?
Ans Yes = VMC
Ans No = IMC
VFR does change a little depending on Class of Airspace and Altitude flown, but for flight below FL100 (10,000') in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace:
VFR requires you to fly:
1) In a minimum Visibility of 5km
and at least 1,000' vertically (both above or below) from Cloud
and at least 1.5km horizontally from Cloud.
OR
2) Below 3,000'amsl (or below 1,000'agl, whichever is higher)
and at, or slower than, 140kt
and in a minimum visibility of 1.5km
and clear of Cloud (NB: No distance specified)
and In Sight of the Surface.
The reasons for the above are to try and ensure that pilots will always have sufficient time for 'See and Avoid' (though 1.5km viz is really Clag City)
and to ensure there is a margin to enable pilots to always have sufficient outside visual references/cues to enable them to control the aircraft.
Flight by IFR doesn't care about cloud or viz which is why it is not permitted (under EASA) unless the pilot also holds some form of Instrument Rating (for which the training course(s) require a lot of time flying by sole reference to the instruments - ie not being able to see out).
NB: This does not mean that IFR flight
must be by sole reference to instruments.
Example:
Layer of 8/8 Cloud with defined, flat, top at 1,900'amsl and excellent (20km+) visibility above.
Bottom of Cloud varying between 1,700' and 1,800' with whispy tendrils going lower merging with a generally misty atmosphere such that the visibility is 4km to 5km.
Choice
1) VFR 'On Top' at 2,900' or above (Not in sight of surface, so must be 1,000' vertically from Cloud)
Choice
2) VFR at 1,700' or lower
Provided Navigation is not a problem (ie usable GPS, preferably more than one, on board) then Choice
1) would be a much more pleasant flight - the problem being How do you get there VFR and, more importantly, how would you get back down again.