"Jose" wrote in message
. net...
I again still respectfully disagree. I am VMC on top. How would I know
that the weather is worsening BELOW the overcast???

ATIS. It's an error. Granted, it's one borne of inexperience, but
experience is how we become better pilots - it goes without saying that
prior to experience, we were worse pilots.

All true, but I think there's also a training deficiency in evidence here.
Prior to the first solo XC, a student should be familiar with the use of
ATIS/AWOS/ASOS, HIWAS, FSS, and EFAS (Flight Watch) to obtain in-flight
weather updates, and should have practiced using those resources during dual
training flights. A pilot shouldn't have to learn this stuff for the first
time while flying alone in deteriorating weather.

--Gary