[C650CPT]

Good thread ... alot of very well thought out and stated point.

My .02 worth

1. The purpose of an IFR flight plan is to communicate your intentions to ATC in the event of lost commo. It is what they are expecting you to do.

2. Because of # 1 I always make my last route of flight point an IAF for the approach I expect to do at my destination.

3. If lost comm. and you are following your flight plan and you encounter VMC ... Land. Again ATC would expect this and besides you are most likely still in Radar contact and ATC can easily decipher your actions as such.

4. Personall minimums can't be over stated. Flying a single engine without redundant systems in ( widespread ) low IFR is asking for trouble, just because its legall doesn't make it smart. I know there are those who will ask then how does a pilot gain IFR experience ... I would say to them very carefully. One can still log quality IFR experience while managing risks wisely.

Jim