Going IFR in non-tower airport

[dtoften]

Hi,

Got a question for you all in the know. I know that you can call FSS and pick up an IFR clearance for non-tower airport. Then you call ATC when ready to take off or taken off in VFR before going into IFR conditions and call ATC then, right? What if you are in a mountain area where you can't pick up ATC on the ground and it's IFR all around. Can you take off in the clouds until you high enough to pick up ATC in Class E. I suspect you can do this in Class G without talking to ATC at all, right? Just have to talk to ATC before going into Class E.

Any references to FAR/AIM would be nice if ya know. Thx.

PS. Also, is the pilot respondible to maintain terrian clearance while trying to fly high enough to get ahold of ATC? I assume so if able to take off.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Hi,

Got a question for you all in the know. I know that you can call FSS and pick up an IFR clearance for non-tower airport. Then you call ATC when ready to take off or taken off in VFR before going into IFR conditions and call ATC then, right? What if you are in a mountain area where you can't pick up ATC on the ground and it's IFR all around. Can you take off in the clouds until you high enough to pick up ATC in Class E. I suspect you can do this in Class G without talking to ATC at all, right? Just have to talk to ATC before going into Class E.

Any references to FAR/AIM would be nice if ya know. Thx.

PS. Also, is the pilot respondible to maintain terrian clearance while trying to fly high enough to get ahold of ATC? I assume so if able to take off.

You can troll around in G IMC all you want no clearance needed; it's not controlled. I fly out of an airport in the mountains where you can't get ATC until you get up to 11,000' or out through the canyon. You can just call and get the clearance, then contact ATC once airborne and able to get two-way communications. You might want to just fly the DP and get a hold of them that way. As long as you can maintain min. climb.

Unless receiving vectors from ATC you are required to maintain terrain clearance in VMC.

 

[Vector4fun]

Actually, if you cannot reach FSS or ATC on the ground via RCO or similar, then the safest and easiest way to communicate with them is via cell phone! Get the direct number to the approach control or Center with jurisdiction and plug it in your speed dial memory. You can call for your IFR clearance and release from the run-up pad!

Just remember to turn it off before takeoff.....

Also a very handy way to cancel too. (don't forget, or we send the Sheriff looking for ya)

 

[maverick_fp00]

just don't forget to look over those departure procedures.... there are lots of things that are never taught in instrument training. during training you hardly go IMC at night through mountains or even at non-towered airports... at least not in the south.... maybe some instructors do that, but I haven't seen it. Most knowledge comes with experience.

I don't want people to start jumping my case because i only have 400 hours, but having the opportunity to fly in a 421 and Navajo quite a bit has given me a bit more experience than the average 400 hour pilot. so, i'm not saying i have all this experience. anyway, great question!

-nick

 

[KnowledgeSeeker]

dtoften,

ahh yes, i remember thinking the same question some years back. Reference AIM 5-2-4...in particular clearance void times and note the notes. So yes, you can depart into controlled airspace with a clearance void time. ATC will restrict IFR a/c from that airport until you check in with them. Just make sure you do not depart after the clearance void time other wise you will be in violation with being IFR without a clearance (see the notes). Also i would be real careful doing this because you are responsible for your own obstacle clearance until you are under radar vectors or are part of the enroute structure (unless flying a published DP).

Hope that answers some questions for ya...

 

[dtoften]

Thanks for info. Just wanted to clarify the issue and make sure no hidden issues. I will look at the AIM reference you mentioned. Take care.

 

[aviator_43]

Assuming you're Part 91 (and either really brave or really stupid) you can blast off 0-0 into uncontrolled airspace and do basically whatever you want (subject to the other 91 regulations pertaining to IFR operation). Oftentimes ATC will give you an instruction as to how they want you to enter controlled airspace (e.g. let's say controlled airspace starts at 1,200' AGL as it does in most places, ATC could stipulate "enter controlled airspace on a 220 heading" or whatever, but whatever you do prior to reaching that threshold point is up to you. Crazy, huh?

 

[labbats]

One thing to know about void times is that you better have your airplane all set up before you call up for it. You generally get about 10 minutes after you hang up before you have to take off.

 

[nosehair]

Yeah, when you call on the telephone for a clearance - with a void time - you had better be totally set up and ready for departure - right then! Just like when you're in the airplane at a tower airport - when you call the tower ready for take-off, you are actually ready to apply power for the take-off roll. Have your airplane run-up done instruments/radios set, maps, charts,etc, in place, ready to hang up the phone, jump in the airplane and GO! If you are not IN THE AIR within 10 minutes from hangin' up the phone, you're dead in the water on the runway in the 11th minute...so, practice this drill before you do it actual...save yourself some disappointment.

 

[Checks]

I routinely get my clearances via FSS and I never accept only a 10 minute window. Tell the FSS specialist, who probably doesnt have a pilots license, that you need at least 20 minutes. Trust me, you will get what YOU need.