EC135
Flight Crew Commercial
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Weather
I was sent to the maintenance facility to pick up a spare aircraft and conduct a ferry flight. During my pre-flight planning and weather analysis; I noticed that the METAR at my destination [airport] was reporting MVFR conditions with the TAF forecasting continued MVFR conditions for my expected arrival time. I also noticed pockets of MVFR ceilings along my route of flight. Since I have not received my 297/IFR check yet and I'm a VFR only pilot for now; I decided to file and activate a VFR flight plan for the ferry flight. En route; I encountered a stable deck of MVFR ceilings but the ceilings seemed lower than the 1;500' AGL OVC being reported. There were also scattered clouds at or below 1;000' AGL that I was having to side step and avoid. In addition to the low ceilings; I also encountered several towers that were hard to see in the low light and several crop duster planes doing low-level work at or below 500' AGL estimated. The crop dusters were not communicating on any of the advisory frequencies and I saw one fly underneath me at 200' AGL. I attempted to steer away from the low-flying crop duster but the pilot did a climbing; looping turn and was flying towards me again. I had visual contact with several other low-flying crop dusters but none of the others got as close to me as the first one. As the ceilings continued to drop and push me closer to the ground; I decided to contact TRACON for VFR flight following and radar services. Coms with Approach were weak but they were able to pick me up on radar. I contacted FSS to inquire about the weather at my destination and was told that [the destination] was now reporting IFR and 900' CIG. By that point; I decided to request an IFR pop-up with Approach. Although I have not had my 297 check yet; I feel comfortable flying IFR and maintain my IFR currency flying in the [military]. My decision-making to file IFR en route was in the interest of safety and was impacted by the following; contributing factors: 1.) The ceilings en route seemed to be lower than reported 2.) I encountered several crop dusters operating low-level in Class G and not communicating with one flying underneath me 3.) Some of the towers along my route in the low light and OVC cloud cover 4.) Weather at my destination had fallen to IFR conditions 5.) I have practiced the [the approach] under VFR conditions and felt comfortable with the IAP6.) At my low altitudes AGL for cloud clearance; I was starting to lose coms with ATC for VFR flight following. I was too far from my home base to talk with my base OPS and I did not feel comfortable not having flight follow coms while 'scud running' over unfamiliar airspace.7.) I was conducting a ferry flight with no Passengers under Part 91[Suggestions] wait for weather to improve along my route of flight and not accept ferry flight missions in the future when there is a high possibility that I may have to request IFR to accomplish the flight.
Air Taxi Pilot reported he encountered IMC conditions while on a ferry flight on a VFR flight plan.