"Andy R" wrote in message
...

"Simon Hobson" wrote in message
et...
On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 8:22:48 +0100, Peter wrote
(in message ):

The structure of European airspace, and its weather in many places,
are such that without an IFR capability one can't usefully go
anywhere.

In the UK there is the IMC Rating; effectively an IR limited to below
Class A. This means an IR is not strictly needed for flying purely
around the UK. We do have Class A down to 2500ft, and even surface, in
a lot of places, but in general one can fly under/around it.

In Europe it's different. Any IMC requires a full IR, and that (flying
usefully into Europe, doing instrument approaches and departures) is
why people do the IR. And the FAA IR is the only one that's
realistically attainable for most pilots that have work to do.

Not to mention that in the UK a basic PPL with no ratings can fly IFR,
and
only needs a Night Qualification to fly at night. I understand that
elsewhere, any night flying (as here) is IFR, and IFR is not allowed
without
a full IR.

Hence even night flying requires an IR outside the UK.

The French allow night VFR, pretty restrictive though, see
http://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv....0ENR%201.2.pdf

There are also other things things that make it not impossible to get about
without an IR. ie you can fly VFR in most French airways provided you're
not in cloud, and you don't need to be in sight of the surface. So if you
can find a hole to go up through and it's scattered or better at your
destination on occasions you're actually better off than in the UK with an
IMC because you can use the airways.

Rgds

Andy R