On 9/25/2005 22:12, Peter wrote:

Mark Hansen wrote

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).

OK, sorry, I forgot about the Y/Z flight plans. What I meant was can
one say depart VFR (no flight plan) and upon seeing cloud ahead call
up and ask for an IFR clearance. One needs to have an IR of course.
How easy is this sort of thing to do in reality?

As Steven said, they're called Pop-up IFR clearances.


Here in the UK, we can do it (in Class G) without any radio contact,
which I believe is unique in Europe.

In the U.S., you are only required to have an IFR clearance and flight
plan when operating within controlled airspace. So, you can convert
your flight from VFR to IFR while in class G airspace without any
ATC intervention.

However, given that your flight is not being monitored by ATC, there
is no one to provide separation between you and other planes who may
have pilots doing the same thing. You would have to decide whether
you're willing to take that kind of a risk.

Incidentally, without the FARs in front of me at the moment, I know
there is one FAR that is similar to the 'Basic Rule' of automotive
regulations: If you do anything stupid or with undue risk, you can
get hammered.


Believe it or not I have passed my FAA IR written but the texts don't
seem to address practical points like this.

Yes, understanding the FARs is only the first step. Applying them
appropriately is where the wisdom comes in ;-)


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