GASCo Fully Backs Retention of IMCThe impression may have been gained that GASCo does not support the retention of the IMC rating, whereas in reality GASCo fully supports it’s retention as a means of giving pilots the necessary skill to get out of trouble in bad weather. In a recent 27 year period there were 12 cases of pilots losing control in IMC conditions where they should not have been flying, whilst there has only been one fatal accident where the pilot had an IMC rating and lost control whilst legally using the privileges of his IMC rating in a serviceable aeroplane in UK airspace, and in that one we do not know how out of practice he was. However, what we will never know is how many cases of the IMC rating getting people out of trouble.
The Rating was something that was evolved in conjunction with the UK aviation industry because of the need for it in our difficult to forecast changeable maritime climate. It also helps those who may not always take the trouble or have been unable to get a proper aviation forecast. A survey of Flight Safety readers found overwhelming support for it and all felt that it improved their general flying abilities. Its removal will not enhance flight safety and will almost certainly have the opposite effect.
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