Comanche to Asturias - Summer 2012 issue

[Steve R]

Old chestnut, but one I'm afraid I've never fully got properly peeled.

Both handling pilots on this trip hold IMC ratings, and seem to use this as justification to fly on top of unbroken cloud layers, in French and Spanish airspace.

I thought the concensus is that this is not on?

Steve R

[denopa]

It's definitely on. The IMCr removes the need to be in sight of the surface.
However (and it's the same for French PPLs, who don't need the rating to fly on top) Met forecast needs to show you can descend at your destination staying VMC.