On Dec 18, 3:21*pm, T wrote:
I'd hate to be ridge soaring on a cloud and have someone on an IFR
clearance punch out of the cloud and not see me, nor I him. That's why
the distance requirements.

I don't know where you are, but around here they don't give IFR
clearances through uncontrolled airspace. If you're soaring where the
big boys might punch out of a cloud then you're in contact with ATC
with with your transponder ON.