My buddy sent me the following email just the other day:
"I could hear an RV taking off below me. He was startled when I announced my missed approach; he said "where did he come from?" I announced my position and intentions since Rockford switched me to UNICOM at CABKO. Did that RV pilot have legal VFR minimums-- the AWOS said 1 1/2 and 300'! The sectional shows class E--I think. Magenta shading."
"I could hear an RV taking off below me. He was startled when I announced my missed approach; he said "where did he come from?" I announced my position and intentions since Rockford switched me to UNICOM at CABKO. Did that RV pilot have legal VFR minimums-- the AWOS said 1 1/2 and 300'! The sectional shows class E--I think. Magenta shading."
I responded with:
I looked on skyvector.com and see what you are talking about with the magenta circle... This means that there is class G airspace from the surface up to 700 ft AGL, so technically, he could take off and stay clear of clouds with 1 mile of viz while below 700ft AGL, then he needs the usual cloud clearance and visibility once above 700ft since he will be in class E. This is a good example of why airports like KDNV, or even Clinton - KCWI have that funky class E Airspace to the surface - to protect arriving IFR aircraft from goof balls like that RV from taking off with out the proper cloud clearance (but then again, they probably dont give a crap and would anyway)...