IFR flight plan filing question

working towards my instrument, only about 7 hours so far, but taking the
written next weekend and feeling pretty confident about everything so far.

question i had planned to ask my instructor, but maybe i can get an answer
today...

suppose i'm flying from denver to rapid city on a VFR flight plan, or no flight
plan at all. i check with FSS about conditions at RAP, and they have changed
to IMC, or forecast to change to below VFR mins at arrival.

could i then file an IFR plan with FSS from the air?, head to the nearest
airway and switch to ATC?

if yes, i could then open with ATC from wherever i'm at? and if i was on a VFR
flight plan, would i just be changing it to a composite flight plan?

when my VFR x-countries i usually fly direct, but i always use flight
following. i've read posts about problems with filing direct- but i'll save it
for another time

thanks in advance

james...

Not from Denver to RAP IFR you won't. You'll be lucky if you aren't
half way to Goodland by the time you're turned northbound.

i fly out of front range, so i'm halfway there already

thanks for the responses - exactly what i needed to know.

looking forward to the IFR rating - my main reason for flying is for efficient
transportation - to get to places i like to visit in colorado or around the
area, and not so much to build hours. and hopefully allow me to fly longer
x-countries without planning the few days contingency of being stuck somewhere
- but will take it cautiously at first of course.

On 22 Jul 2003 01:33:10 GMT, kcuspam (Tune2828)
wrote:

looking forward to the IFR rating - my main reason for flying is for efficient
transportation - to get to places i like to visit in colorado or around the
area, and not so much to build hours. and hopefully allow me to fly longer
x-countries without planning the few days contingency of being stuck somewhere
- but will take it cautiously at first of course.

It really wont help too much around here where IMC is usually consists
of cumulonimbus or cumulo-granite.

Mark Kolber
APA/Denver, Colorado
www.midlifeflight.com
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