Closing IFR flight plan at uncontrolled field

If you want to maintain IFR status until you're on the ground at an
uncontrolled field, who do you call when you're on the ground, assuming
there's no remote ARTCC radio facility within reach?

FSS?

It depends.

They tell you who to call by phone when they approve you to switch
frequencies.

If the last facility you were talking to was a civilian TRACON, they
usually want you to call them. If it was military or an ARTCC, they
usually want you to call FSS.

.... but that can change, even at a given airport.

If I were on the ground and wasn't sure who call, I'd call FSS first.
They'd either cancel IFR for me or tell me who to call.

There is no big hurry unless there is traffic waiting
approach, in which case, ask them to relay your safe
landing, otherwise, phone FSS and they will be happy to
advise Center. If your airport is in a TRACON area, I'm
sure you'll have a remote outlet.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Brien K. Meehan" wrote in message
ups.com...
| It depends.
|
| They tell you who to call by phone when they approve you
to switch
| frequencies.
|
| If the last facility you were talking to was a civilian
TRACON, they
| usually want you to call them. If it was military or an
ARTCC, they
| usually want you to call FSS.
|
| ... but that can change, even at a given airport.
|
| If I were on the ground and wasn't sure who call, I'd call
FSS first.
| They'd either cancel IFR for me or tell me who to call.
|

This is the first time I've heard anyone say there's no big hurry.

I guess it depends on your location and the associated amount of
traffic and ATC workload. In my neighborhood, there is ALWAYS traffic
waiting. In fact, there's too much traffic get ATC to wait for a
relay.

Also, in my neighborhood, you get a 2 minute departure window with an
IFR clearance. If you ask for 3 minutes, you still get 2 minutes. If
you ask for 5 minutes, you're told to call back when you're ready to
depart.

The point is that in some parts of the country, Kansas,
Oklahoma, Nebraska for example, all airports with IFR
traffic above a few dozen per week, have remote ATC
frequencies. At other airports with sporadic IFR levels
that justify an IFR approach but not maintaining a remote
ATC outlet, there will rarely be more than one or two
operations per hour at any airport. The only time you don't
have time to land and walk inside to a telephone [if your
cell doesn't work] is if there is another aircraft waiting
for you to cancel so they can depart or land. If they are
in-flight, they will be happy to forward your cancellation
to ATC. If ATC has a strip for a waiting departure or
arrival, they will usually say so and ask for the quickest
cancellation and give instructions.
Often, departing aircraft will be able to depart in Class G
airspace under VFR at such remote uncontrolled airports.
When they are in radar contact with separation from the
other traffic, they will be issued a clearance.
VFR flight plans need to be cancelled within 30 minutes of
the ETA as amended, IFR has the same S&R time frame for
beginning a communications search. But you certainly have
five or ten minutes to land and taxi in and call on the
land-line.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.



"Brien K. Meehan" wrote in message
oups.com...
| This is the first time I've heard anyone say there's no
big hurry.
|
| I guess it depends on your location and the associated
amount of
| traffic and ATC workload. In my neighborhood, there is
ALWAYS traffic
| waiting. In fact, there's too much traffic get ATC to
wait for a
| relay.
|
| Also, in my neighborhood, you get a 2 minute departure
window with an
| IFR clearance. If you ask for 3 minutes, you still get 2
minutes. If
| you ask for 5 minutes, you're told to call back when
you're ready to
| depart.
|

If your airport is in a TRACON area, I'm
sure you'll have a remote outlet.

Not always true. Plenty of airports inside TRACON areas with no RCO.

"paul kgyy" wrote:

If you want to maintain IFR status until you're on the ground at an
uncontrolled field, who do you call when you're on the ground, assuming
there's no remote ARTCC radio facility within reach?

FSS?

Exactly.

There's several ways to close an IFR flight plan at an uncontrolled field,
in decreasing order of convenience.

1) Cancel in the air while you're still within radio range of ATC.
Obviously only an option in VFR weather.

2) At some fields, there may be a frequency listed in the AFD by which you
can reach either ATC or FSS directly by radio on the ground. Sometimes
it's even the same frequency you were using in the air.

3) Sometimes, ATC will give you a phone number to call after you land to
cancel IFR (NY Approach often does that). This number will ring directly
at the tracon.

4) Lacking any of the above, call 1-800-WX-BRIEF and FSS will relay your
cancellation to ATC.

On 5 Feb 2006 14:50:52 -0800, "paul kgyy" wrote:

If you want to maintain IFR status until you're on the ground at an
uncontrolled field, who do you call when you're on the ground, assuming
there's no remote ARTCC radio facility within reach?

FSS?

You call the FSS, either by radio (if reachable) or by telephone.

If possible, you can also have an overflying a/c relay a cancellation to
ATC.

Usually, at KEPM, I use the telephone.
Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

Ron Rosenfeld wrote:
If possible, you can also have an overflying a/c relay a cancellation to
ATC.

Have you actually done that? It's my understanding that ATC won't accept
an IFR cancellation via an aircraft relay.

It's my understanding that ATC won't accept
an IFR cancellation via an aircraft relay.

Not true at all. You can either...
1) Call ATC on the radio (if they can get you)
2) Call ATC with the phone number they provide or
3) Call FSS

Remember to do it somewhat quickly because there may be others in a
holding pattern waiting for your cancelation.

-Robert