Originally Posted by
Ridger
I agree. I suppose the question is whether the height you need to determine those factors is less than you would need to execute a 180 into better weather?
There may not have been better weather to execute a 180 into.
In these sort of conditions it is all too easy to paint yourself into a corner from which there is no safe visual escape and IMHO with a functional aircraft the least worst option is to climb to a safe height & call for whatever help you need.
It is seductively easy to be caught out by flying in conditions when better judgment should keep you on the ground. Maintaining proficiency in instrument flying to at least a level which gives you the option of a SRA/GCA or vectors to VFR weather mitigates the risk and gives you an alternative to an off-airport landing in unfavourable conditions.