and given that all of the various
visibility and cloud clearance requirements are designed for the sole
purpose of avoiding obstacles

Well, if you consider other aircraft to be obstacles, maybe. But as I
see it the visibility and cloud clearance requirements are designed for
the purpose of giving aircraft time to see and avoid. Something pops
out of a cloud, it takes some time to see it, recognize it, and avoid it.

Jose
--
The price of freedom is... well... freedom.
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