How Quickly Things Can Turn!

"three-eight-hotel" wrote in message
ups.com...
I don't think it would have been considered VFR in IMC... There were
absolutely no clouds (although clouds aren't what constitute IMC), and
at 3,000 feet I had constant visual reference with the ground and never
had to depend on my instruments for navigation or situational
awareness. I probably had visibility of 2-3 miles through the haze,

But as you know, less than 3 sm visibility is IMC (except in Class G during
the day at 1200' AGL or less), so VFR flight in those conditions is unsafe
and illegal.

You described being able to see things "down" but not "at a slant" in haze
at 3000'. At that altitude, if you can't see prominent objects 11 degrees
below horizontal, you have less than 3 sm visibility (and if you can't see
prominent objects 35 degrees below horizontal--still nowhere near
"down"--you have less than 1sm visibility).

Even if you can manage to aviate and navigate without instruments while
flying VFR in IMC, you don't have adequate means to see and avoid anyone
who's legally flying IFR near you. So you're betting their lives that you
won't happen to collide with them.

reason to post was
walking outside after dinner and seeing an entirely different weather
picture than I had seen only an hour ago, when I landed.

I appreciate your motivation for posting, but I think you've overlooked a
far more important lesson than the one you had in mind.

Regards,
Gary