Is the clearance issued before ATC has the information it requests of the
pilot (which would then constitute the flight plan)?

You tell me, here's a complete exchange from first call:

N2293M: "Green Bay Approach, Arrow 2293M, over Clintonville at 3000 with
Lima, request IFR clearance into Green Bay."

GRB Approach: "Arrow 2293M, Green Bay Approach, cleared to Austin Straubel
Field via radar vectors for the ILS runway 6, maintain 3000, fly heading
130, squawk 0401."

N2293M: "Arrow 93M cleared to Green Bay, maintain 3000, heading 130."

GRB Approach: "Arrow 93M radar contact one mile southeast of Clintonville."

This was a VFR flight prior to the first call, quoted above? (I assume
yes). In that case, I guess clearances can precede flight plan info.

Is Clintonville an IAP or transition for the Green Bay airport? (I
assume so, in which case I'd ask the more limited question of whether
clearance is issued before flight plan info is received, if one is not
"inside an approach plate".

Jose
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