Well said Rusty. Yer mum would be proud of you!!
Go for it, but USE it. Any excuse for me. A memorable flight was popping up through the overcast one Christmas eve(courtesy of Benson radar -thanx chaps) into blue skies VMC on top. Kept me high for at least a week!!!!!

I used to teach the IMC a good few years ago, its a very useful rating to have.

I had a student who a few months after passing his IMC got 'caught out' in IMC with a fast moving front (he should have checked the WX properly, but thats another story!).

He got Luton to give him vectors for an ILS, they knew he couldn't except an IFR clearance in class A but but were happy to get him on the ground knowing he could fly an ILS they monitored like an SRA.

I think the rating gives the average PPL confidence on instruments and spatial awarenes. As already said, the sylabus for approaches segement of the IMC is very wide. Make sure your instructor at least does one of every tipe, ie. NDB/VOR/ILS/SRA/PAR.

NOTE : About 8 years ago the CAA would convert a FAA IR for an IMC. It will cost you less to go on holiday to the USA and complete an IR (40hrs less the 5 you instruments for the PPL and I think 10 can be 'mutual' hours with a friend under the hood, so 25 hours to pay for).
The US will except IR training into the major airports mixed in with the big guys, real good fun !

Do it, it's worth it. Starting in October is good. I did mine in deepest West Wales in winter time. Flying in real (read bumpy) IFR conditions made using foggles a breeze later. Mine has since lapsed as my current chariot is a PFA machine and we all know the wings fall off them when you bump into a cloud. As was mentioned earlier, climbing through a thin layer to find an evening sun on top is wonderful.

When I sent my IMC application off to Gatwick (6 weeks and £63...£21 per letter..bargain), they very kindly added IMC to my ratings page and sent me back a signed and stamped

"Instrument Rating - Certificate of Test"

Is this is because:-
a) They cocked it up?
b) The Certificate for IMC and IR are the same?
c) I was SO good on test that they exempted me from future IR training?
d) There was a 'buy one, get one free' special offer on that has saved me about £10K?

Discuss

I'm a Brit who happens to live and work in the US and already have an FAA PPL. I'm just about to start the FAA Instrument Rating, for many of the reasons given above, and plan to be "mixing it with the big boys" under IFR over the next couple of years. I'm a little confused about how that experience will translate when I return to the old country (UK!).

So for anyone with experience to judge, how exactly does the FAA IR differ from the CAA IMC and the full JAA IR? Is the IMC a fair equivalent, or is it just a case of the "not invented here" syndrome? Does a CAA IMC give you any IFR priviledges in the USA?