I have an IMC rating – can I make a UK instrument approaches in real IMC in Class D Airspace?
Yes you can, subject to the aircraft being approved for IFR (ie: not a ‘permit’ aircraft) the equipment being sufficient for the intended and agreed task. You would always need a radio, an altimeter, various gyro indicators etc, but if you were NOT using the ILS, you do not need a serviceable ILS instrument unless the airfield was notified as always requiring it. A transponder is always needed. The runway visual range must be above minima for that particular runway and at least 1800m, and you MUST be ‘in current practice’, or setting a suitable higher descent minimum based on recent practice. Several GPS RNAV approach procedures have now been published, and we are now able to offer training in these procedures using aircraft that are fully approved.
