And ..l
ShyTorque mentions the 'legal' aspects. There was a Lightning that overshot a GCA on a VERY claggy day, and with minimal fuel. REALLY minimal. He staggered around the circuit at 'stupid feet agl', found the runway again and landed.
AOC 11 Gp had several of his staff investigating the various legalities of IFR flight in the visual circuit, within a MATZ, unauthorised low-flying etc. etc. I know it was 'several' because when I called someone (IFS?) they said "What's up? This is the third call I've had today about this!" ISTR AOC let the topic drop after numerous 1v1 conversations with the staff involved ... it was too difficult!
If you consider the VFR criteria, a vast amount of circuit flying is technically IFR
