"Dan Luke" wrote in message ...
In the back of the A/FD there are special phone numbers published to be
used for calling AFSS's to get an IFR clearance. I was completely
unaware of this until last Sunday, when I called for a void time leaving
Cross City, FL. The specialist said he'd be glad to help me, "...but
next time please call the clearance delivery number." According to him,
using this number skips you past the advisories and menus that you get
when you dial 1-800-WXBRIEF.

Somehow the existence of these numbers was missed in my training. I've
been calling the usual number for void times for five years, and this is
the first time a specialist has ever said anything. Did everyone know
this but me? If you use these numbers, what has the quality of service
been like for you?

Well, I think it just depends upon where you train. Apparently
some FSS have special numbers and some don't, and occasionally the
number in the A/FD is not the one to use. We happen to fly most
often into non-towered fields with an FSS that has a special number,
so we both encountered this pretty early in training.

Service is fine, no complaints.

Anyway, when we're filing IFR from a non-towered field, as a habit
we just ask the briefer what number to call for a void-time clearance.

If you're using a cell phone to call for your clearance from the
end of the runway, chances are you can't use 1-800-WX-Brief anyway,
it may route you to your home FSS -- you have to look up the direct
number in AF/D or Cellular Pilot or wherever.

Cheers,
Sydney