When might a pilot operate under IMC?

A pilot operates under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) when they cannot maintain visual references for navigation and control due to a lack of visibility caused by weather conditions. In this situation, pilots rely solely on their instruments for navigation and aircraft control.

Operating under IMC is essential when visual flight is not feasible due to clouds, fog, rain, or other atmospheric conditions that obscure visibility. This scenario necessitates the use of instruments to ensure safe maneuvering and compliance with air traffic control requirements.

For the other scenarios, flying solely based on visual references is characteristic of Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), low altitudes do not inherently dictate IMC, and high visibility weather aligns more with VMC, allowing pilots to fly visually. Hence, they are not applicable for IMC operations.