gregscheetah wrote:
Hello,

I want to practice maneuvers, descending turns and basic manual
maneuvering in IMC conditions. Is it possible to get ATC to assign you
a 'practice area' in real IMC environment?

Absolutely. Ask for something like, "Request permission to maneuver
within 5 miles of XXX, between 3000 and 4000".

Whether you get it or not depends on how much traffic there is. As
long as there's no conflicting traffic, ATC should be able to approve
a block. The controller will want to know for how long you'll need
the block.

Make sure you ask for something you can comply with, i.e. a DME radius
around a VOR/DME, or a radius around any en-route fix if you've got
DME. And keep in mind that an IFR clearance is a serious thing; if
you're cleared to maneuver within 5 miles of XXX, you damn well better
make sure you stay within that circle.