If you hold a rotorcraft instrument rating, can you legally fly an airplane in IMC conditions?

Holding a rotorcraft instrument rating does not legally permit a pilot to fly an airplane in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Each type of aircraft rating is distinct and requires specific training and certification tailored to that category. An instrument rating for rotorcraft indicates proficiency in flying helicopters under instrument flight rules, but the knowledge and skills acquired for that rating do not automatically transfer to fixed-wing aircraft.

Therefore, without an airplane instrument rating, a pilot would lack the necessary certification to operate airplanes in IMC, regardless of their experience with rotorcraft. This requirement ensures that pilots have the appropriate training to safely manage the characteristics and behaviors of the aircraft they are flying.