On 9/24/2005 8:13 AM, Peter wrote:
"L. R. Du Broff" wrote

I would
make no mention of "IFR" to ground control or clearance delivery -- just
tell them I was northbound (substitute appropriate direction) at 3,500
(substitute appropriate VFR altitude). This generally got me going
quickly. As soon as I was out of the area that experience had taught me
was ripe with vectors, I contacted the appropriate ATC facility to
request my clearance.

Between not having to wait for IFR release, and avoiding lots of vectors,
I easily shaved 15 to 30 minutes from my weekly commute between home and
work.

In the USA, can one depart VFR and then change to IFR and back again?

Sure. You file a combined VFR/IFR flight plan. When they see the initial
fix of your IFR route beginning away from the departure area, they know
you're departing VFR (and that you intend to pick-up your IFR clearance
before you reach the initial fix).

Here in the UK this is done all the time. But one isn't supposed to do
it in e.g. France because *any* IFR requires an IFR flight plan, and
an IFR clearance.

The last bit should be OK because one can cancel IFR, AFAIK.

Yes, assuming you can legally fly VFR, you can cancel your IFR flight
plan at any time (unless you're in Class A, of course...)




--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Sacramento, CA