90 percent of my actual IMC has been after work,in the
hot summer months, in the dark dodging thunderstorm cells on x-country
flights.The approach controllers can't see the weather, just yesterday
they told us we were in a thunder cell while were were in VMC, 3 miles,
haze. Another time, while getting bounced near a towering cumulus
illuminated by lightning, an approach controller responded to our
request for cloud top info with a " ah..we're closed, contact Seymour
Johnson approach on their frequency."

I think this is insane

If it is as you describe it, then it =is= insane, especially for a
relataively new pilot, let alone new to IMC. Thuderstorms should be
entered only in dreams.

Alas, some parts of the country are either VFR or thunderstorms. Others
are VFR or ice (like the Northeast in winter).

It may be that different times of year will offer some actual IFR time
which is not convective. I'm not all that familiar with the weather out
there.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
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