Flying under IMC

"Peter Bauer" wrote in message
om...
But what ...when descending under VMC into Class G Airspace and then
coming into IMC "wheather" (e.g. fog,..) then i can fly IFR without a
clearance ???
If a second pilot does the same "plan" .... very dangerous, isn't it ?

As Jose says, you can easily avoid other pilots flying IFR in Class G by not
doing it yourself. Airports with instrument approaches also have Class E
surface areas, preventing anyone from flying IFR without a clearance and
flight plan in IMC at those airports. So as long as YOU stick to making
arrivals only through published instrument approaches, you'll avoid any
nut-case trying to do it on their own.

(No offense intended to any nut-cases out there that actually go around
flying IFR without a clearance or flight plan in IMC while in Class G ).

i can really fly VFR under an IFR-Flight Plan ??

Well, sort of. You are still flying IFR (that is, under "instrument flight
rules") while on a "VFR on top" clearance. So you have to comply with
applicable IFR rules, *and* applicable VFR rules. Notably, your cruising
altitude changes to the +500' altitudes, and you are required to maintain
the proper cloud clearances and visibility. But other IFR rules still
apply, like proper notification to ATC of equipment failures, airspeed
changes, reporting points, that sort of thing.

But probably with the same "squawk" as under IFR ?

Yes...you are still flying IFR, on an IFR flight plan, and maintain the same
squawk code you'd have without the "VFR on top" clearance.

..and then after getting "tired" flying VFR ..changing back to the
initial IFR Flight Plan ? (what is when too far away under VFR flying
from the "filed" Plan ???

In order to quit the "VFR on top" clearance, if you have left your original
route, you won't get a clearance to return to normal IFR flight until ATC
can arrange a new routing for you from your position. Generally, it's
advisable to stay reasonably close to your planned route, since off-airways
can be challenging to plan for IMC while you're busy actually flying the
plane.

Personally, I make sure I'm back on my planned route before going back to
non-"VFR on top" flight.

Does ATC give me then another "Plan", an "abbreviated" Flight Plan ?

Yes, basically. If you're not on your planned route, you'll probably get a
vector or "direct" to a navaid to get you back to some place where ATC can
get you back into their system. In my experience, this has always been some
waypoint already on my IFR flight plan...ATC basically just looks to bring
you back to your filed plan, unless you request otherwise.

Well, i haven't known about this......because i'm only an PP-ASEL
withoutIFR-Privileges. But the described possibilitites makes it very
interesting getting an IFR-Pilot ;-)

For what it's worth, there's also a rec.aviation.ifr newsgroup. I don't
follow it because frankly I read too many newsgroups as it is. There are
probably others here who are instrument rated and who don't follow that
newsgroup, but that's really the place to go to find people who are not just
willing, but who are eager to talk about instrument flying.

Pete