Handsfield
Pre-Flight
Has there ever been consideration of a middle ground IFR rating that would allow instrument privileges en route but not require them for approach and landing?
It seems to me that the skills and experience required for en route, cross-country flying are different (and more forgiving) than those for approach and landing, and to some extent for departure. What if there were a rating that allowed departure and arrival in VFR or MVFR conditions, not requiring competence for approach in IMC? It seems this could allow safe en route flight between layers or IMC, without the compency required for an IFR approach to minimum. How many pilots would have expanded horizons and options if they could depart in VFR conditions, fly through a layer or even continue long distances IMC, knowing that the destination was forecast to have, say, a 2500' ceiling that would allow a safe VFR arrival without an instrument approach?
I don't recall ever seeing a discussion along these lines. Any thoughts?
HHH
It seems to me that the skills and experience required for en route, cross-country flying are different (and more forgiving) than those for approach and landing, and to some extent for departure. What if there were a rating that allowed departure and arrival in VFR or MVFR conditions, not requiring competence for approach in IMC? It seems this could allow safe en route flight between layers or IMC, without the compency required for an IFR approach to minimum. How many pilots would have expanded horizons and options if they could depart in VFR conditions, fly through a layer or even continue long distances IMC, knowing that the destination was forecast to have, say, a 2500' ceiling that would allow a safe VFR arrival without an instrument approach?
I don't recall ever seeing a discussion along these lines. Any thoughts?
HHH
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