While waiting for my release, ATC says "I have an aircaft on approach.
Can't release you until he cancels. Can you depart VFR?" I say fine. I
keep the same squawk code, depart under VFR, and then get my release in
the air. Why is this such a big deal?



Dave Butler wrote in
:


If another airplane is flying an approach into the airport, you
cannot depart IFR. In those cases ATC may assign a VFR departure. You
see an avoid the other airplane until you reach your cruising
altitude.

Oh, my.

It's not up to me to decide whether I can depart IFR because "another
airplane is flying an approach into the airport". I either get a
clearance, or I don't.

AFAIK ATC can't "assign a VFR departure". Please show me where it says
they can do that.

*I* can decide to depart VFR rather than wait for a clearance. That is
not an IFR operation. In that case I am VFR, until I obtain a
clearance, whether that's at my cruising altitude or some other
altitude.

*I* can request a VFR climb while on an instrument clearance. "VFR
climb" is defined terminology. "VFR departure" is not.

Others say a VFR climb can be requested right from the airport
surface, with the issuance of an instrument clearance for departure.
I've never seen/heard this done, but I don't see any regulatory reason
why it should not be possible, and I defer to those who say they have
done it.

Dave