Going home, it was pretty much the same song, played backwards. But
instead
of picking up our clearance in the air, we made the small mistake of
waiting
for it on the ground. We waited almost 10 minutes at the hold line
with the
Hobbs turning like a dervish, and were just about to call and say we'd be
departing VFR and pick up the clearance later, when they called us.
Lesson
learned. But all in all, one of the most fun flights I've had in a
long time
and a big confidence builder.


Why not just accept the clearance and request a VFR departure?
You are on an IFR flight plan, you are just accepting responsibility for
separation on the takeoff and departure. After the conflicting traffic
is clear, the flight becomes normal IFR.

I've heard of VFR climbs and VFR descents while on an instrument flight plan,
but VFR departure is a new one on me. Is that published nomenclature, or
something you made up?