Rustle
I agree that the stuff needs to be learnt. My point was merely that there is a lot in the syllabus which is antiquated and the time spent learning that (just for the exam) could be better spent learning the stuff that really matters.
For example I had a head-on airprox the other day. I turned right (correct); the other plane turned left (incorrect). That is a pretty basic thing to not know.
But let's have a look at the things you listed:
"How do I file a flight plan? "
I was never taught this in the PPL; only that they are needed in certain circumstances.
"Can I fly above cloud with only a PPL and night rating? "
It should be obvious that the Night Rating is nothing to do with flying VMC on top.
Can I use my IMC-rating in France?
The answer is "not as such" but I am afraid this one will keep coming up in various ways. I have it in writing from the CAA that a UK IMC rated PPL can (as far as the CAA is concerned) fly VMC on top in France (VMC on top being IFR* in the UK), provided the French don't mind.
"Umpteen dozen posts/threads confusing VFR/IFR with VMC/IMC. "
That is a truly confusing subject - I have never met an instructor who could explain it clearly. There is that awful matrix in Trevor Thom which gives the airspace versus privileges; the real-life picture, for a straight PPL, is actually far simpler.
*One instructor told me the other day that an IMC rated pilot can fly VMC on top (out of sight of surface) as "VFR" in the UK. I have always done that as "IFR" myself. Nobody I could find could confirm this, and anyway it is rather moot because as IFR you get a better level of ATC service. So.... we continue
