Do you absolutely have to file a flight plane to fly IFR?

Question

I know you can't fly through clouds unless you're flying IFR, but do you have to file an IFR flight plane to just fly through clouds, or do you just have to have your instrument rating to fly through the clouds, with no flight plan filed.

Answer 1

Well in the US to fly though clouds you have to be on an IFR flight plan, be IFR rated and current, and have a current IFR certified aircraft.

Answer 2

If you are flying VFR, you need to stay clear of clouds, even if you are instrument rated and are flying an instrument capable plane. To fly in clouds you need to be IFR and file a flight plan as such. You CAN do this enroute, say if you take off in VFR ad the weather turns to crap, but until you get the flight plan filed you need to stay clear of the clouds.

Answer 3

While the first answer is correct for a planned IFR flight... the controller can create one for you if your flight that was planned VFR suddenly goes sour and you are left in IFR conditions... you can request a flight plan from the local controler and depending on how busy they are and if they have the patience, they will file for you and clear you on your route...

Answer 4

You needent stay clear of clouds for VFR flight in all situations. Class Golf airspace in a helicopter below 1200 AGL and below 10000 MSL for instance. Since that's where most helicopter fly... bring on the clouds!

Answer 5

If you're flying in uncontrolled airspace where there is no regular communication available, then you don't have to file a flight plan, but you do have to have a flight itinerary. In Canada, anyway. A flight itinerary isn't filed in the same way as usual, but you must inform someone of your plan and they're responsible for letting authorities know if you don't come back.

Answer 6

no count if it is your first long haul flight, you ought to now not sleep in any respect, a minimum of I didnt i replaced into too busy looking on the engine wobbling on the wing thinking if it replaced into going to fall off which of path they dont ( I had a window seat over the wing ) too busy thinking what the nutrition could be like or in simple terms strolling around the airplane, too busy twiddling the in flight radio knobs and seeing which movies could be on the in flight action picture instruction manual, all in all I in simple terms didnt handle any sleep the 1st outing. On next longer flights of 12 hours and greater I did sleep ( no selection incredibly it gets tiring as a results of timezone changes )

Answer 7

Tracy has given you a correct and thorough answer!

Answer 8

well said tracy, as im a pilot for british airways i know the answer. tracys answer is exact and couldn't be better.

thanks


Chris Evans British Airways Pilot 4 Stripes ||||