"paul kgyy" wrote:
I was taught that, if I needed to file an IFR flight plan in the
middle
of a trip, I should contact FSS first to file and get clearance, then
contact ATC. On the other hand, I hear frequent references in
rec.aviation to pilots who just contact ATC directly. Does this
depend
on how busy ATC is ...?

Yes.

It also depends on what segment of the trip you are flying. If I decide
I need an in flight clearance near the beginning of a long trip, I'll
call FSS. If I'm in or near the airspace of the ATC facility
controlling my destination's approaches, I'll get a pop-up, frequency
congestion permitting.

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM