Sam Spade wrote:


No, you started out VFR and you have to inform ATC if you can't
maintain VFR.


So, when did "descend to and maintain 4,000" no longer constitute an IFR
clearance?

When you're VFR. You asked to be vectored/sequenced for an approach.
Just how do you think he's going to do that?




I haven't done a pop-up in a long time, but when I did do them, no
controller said, "Cleared to the Chino Airport." that was obvious by the
fact I was very near Chino and the controller gave me a heading for the
requested ILS to that airport.

Then that was wrong. An IFR clearance must start with "cleared to..."