Solo IFR Currency

"max" wrote in news:1122595392.037641.117640
@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

So, where/when can you fly in the clouds (IMC) without an IFR flight
plan & an ATC clearance?

In class G airspace.

I think there is also an exception for within 1/2 mile of the runway, but
it may be a "Clear of Clouds" exception, not an "In the Clouds" exception.

I'm too tired and lazy to look it up right now, especially because it's
more pilot trivia than practical piloting...

Please be specific. There is lots of G airspace out west that goes over
14K. Granted the weather is not usually IMC in many of those areas, but as
another poster stated, you can file IFR and be IMC without any ATC control.

"Hilton" wrote in message
ink.net...
max wrote:
So, where/when can you fly in the clouds (IMC) without an IFR flight
plan & an ATC clearance?

In class G airspace.

The FAA has ruled that this is in violation of 91.13.

Hilton

Paul Lynch wrote:
Please be specific. There is lots of G airspace out west that goes over
14K. Granted the weather is not usually IMC in many of those areas, but
as
another poster stated, you can file IFR and be IMC without any ATC
control.

http://www.ntsb.gov/O_n_O/docs/AVIATION/3935.PDF

Hilton


Hilton wrote:
max wrote:
So, where/when can you fly in the clouds (IMC) without an IFR flight
plan & an ATC clearance?

In class G airspace.

The FAA has ruled that this is in violation of 91.13.

Hilton

Hilton wrote:
: Paul Lynch wrote:
: Please be specific. There is lots of G airspace out west that goes over
: 14K. Granted the weather is not usually IMC in many of those areas, but
: as
: another poster stated, you can file IFR and be IMC without any ATC
: control.

: http://www.ntsb.gov/O_n_O/docs/AVIATION/3935.PDF

: Hilton

I read this, and find it a load of crap. Not that I think it's a good idea to
do what he did (depart into IMC without a clearance under VFR since it was
uncontrolled airspace), his argument is basically sound. Basically, the FAA agreed
that he was legal to do this. They then used the catchall "careless and reckless" to
bust him anyway. He made a valid point saying that if it's illegal to do it, then the
rule should be changed to make it clear. Here's the response:

"With regard to the respondent's assertion that, "[i]f anytime an aircraft enters
clouds in uncontrolled airspace it is careless without a clearance then the FAR's
should be change," we note that it would be neither wise nor possible for the FAA to
attempt to specifically prohibit every form of conduct that it considers careless."

So basically, you have to follow all the rules, but they won't tell you what
they all are. Bottom line is, if you don't have a problem, there won't be a
regulatory problem. But if you have a problem, they'll find a regulator problem.

-Cory

: Hilton wrote:
: max wrote:
: So, where/when can you fly in the clouds (IMC) without an IFR flight
: plan & an ATC clearance?
:
: In class G airspace.
:
: The FAA has ruled that this is in violation of 91.13.
:
: Hilton



--

************************************************** ***********************
* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
************************************************** ***********************

Cory,

Hilton wrote:
: Paul Lynch wrote:
: Please be specific. There is lots of G airspace out west that goes
over
: 14K. Granted the weather is not usually IMC in many of those areas,
but
: as
: another poster stated, you can file IFR and be IMC without any ATC
: control.

: http://www.ntsb.gov/O_n_O/docs/AVIATION/3935.PDF

: Hilton

I read this, and find it a load of crap. Not that I think it's a good
idea to
do what he did (depart into IMC without a clearance under VFR since it was
uncontrolled airspace), ...

Why is it not a good idea to do what he did? [Warning: Loaded question]


Basically, the FAA agreed
that he was legal to do this. They then used the catchall "careless and
reckless" to
bust him anyway. He made a valid point saying that if it's illegal to do
it, then the[i]
rule should be changed to make it clear. Here's the response:

"With regard to the respondent's assertion that, "f anytime an aircraft
enters
clouds in uncontrolled airspace it is careless without a clearance then
the FAR's
should be change," we note that it would be neither wise nor possible for
the FAA to
attempt to specifically prohibit every form of conduct that it considers
careless."

So basically, you have to follow all the rules, but they won't tell you
what
they all are. Bottom line is, if you don't have a problem, there won't be
a
regulatory problem. But if you have a problem, they'll find a regulator
problem.

There are numerous FARs that are delibrately vague. If you disagree with
this, why not start writing up a list of 'reckless' things a pilot could
do - I bet you'll shoot right past 100 and keep going. It's impossible to
specifically state all the things a pilot may not do.

Hilton

That certainly answers the "specific" part. I agree with another poster the
ruling logic is not sound, although I can understand why the busted him for
careless and reckless. He could have easily filed a clearance.

Live and painfully learn...

"Hilton" wrote in message
k.net...
Paul Lynch wrote:
Please be specific. There is lots of G airspace out west that goes over
14K. Granted the weather is not usually IMC in many of those areas, but
as
another poster stated, you can file IFR and be IMC without any ATC
control.

http://www.ntsb.gov/O_n_O/docs/AVIATION/3935.PDF

Hilton


Hilton wrote:
max wrote:
So, where/when can you fly in the clouds (IMC) without an IFR flight
plan & an ATC clearance?

In class G airspace.

The FAA has ruled that this is in violation of 91.13.

Hilton