Blueskies wrote:
\
: Of course not, in uncontrolled airspace. But many other rules apply:
: cruise altitudes for direction of flight, minimum altitudes, etc.
:
: - FChE


I guess I really don't get this. Folks fly below VFR minimums in class G under IFR? Under what 'rules?'


Under IFR rules. You can't fly in conditions below the VFR weather
minimums (legally) except IFR.

This means you must be:

1. Instrument rated.
2. Have a plane with the necessary equipment and
inspections for IFR flight.
3. Maintain the minimum altitudes
4. Pilot must be IFR current.
5. If you can arrive VFR at the destination, you must have an
instrument approach.

Except for takeoffs and landings from airports that don't have
surface areas, practical IFR in uncontrolled airspace is thwarted
by #3 and #5 above in most cases. You can't do enroute below
1000'/2000' (normal/mountainous) and most approaches will start
in controlled airspace even if they don't terminate there.

There's also a (not supported by regulation) legal interpretation
where a guy was strung up where the FAA interpretted it as
reckless and dangerous because he did not have an IFR clearance
at the time he took off to continue his flight into controlled
airspace.