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5 Answers

Small rural airport clearance

Asked by: 3110 views Instrument Rating

Recently moved from large airport area to a rural small airport. When getting IFR clearance (vfr or phone)  Is it likely ARTCC would grant me a vector heading (no approved GPS) about 40 miles to a V airway? If so, should I file it that way or would it be rejected?

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5 Answers



  1. John D. Collins on Aug 04, 2013

    There is no way I know of to file a vector on a flightplan, although ATC can issue a clearance with one. The same is true to fly a heading to intercept an airway unless it is part of a SID. There is an ATC rule that does not permit issuing an IFR clearance for a non RNAV equipped aircraft that is not within the service volume of a Nav aid. Most commonly, the VOR 40 NM service limit is the one that is exceeded. The rule is not uniformly enforced. What is the airport ID of your new home?

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  2. Mark Kolber on Aug 04, 2013

    I agree with John. AFAIK, there’s even no way to file a pure vector SID (like the DENVER 6 – radar vectors to assigned transition). I think the underlying reason is that the system is still designed to operate in a no radar environment.

    Your best bet is to file a nearby radio fix (typically a VOR but can even be an NDB) to get you on your way.

    At best, your clearance will come back with an “upon entering controlled airspace, fly heading…” in place of that fix.

    At worst, once airborne and in contact with ATC, you can ask for a direct vector to where you want.

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  3. jim watkins on Aug 06, 2013

    thanks John & Mark for your quick responses.
    I am located at 3F7 Bristow, OK. Flight is to KABI Abilene, Tx…(route direction appx 205 degrees)
    If leaving 3F7 into immediate
    IMC after getting clearance per phone.
    By the time I get to altitude I would be almost to BARNS intersection on V436.
    But would prefer to get vectors further south to V210.
    I guess your saying file 3F7 OKM V210 . . . . . then request vectors to V210
    oh btw (no adf)

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  4. Mark Kolber on Aug 06, 2013

    If the V210 routing is what you would like, that makes sense. Of course, if you had ADF, direct to SRE would be a pretty good choice. GPS, I’d probably try for direct MINGG

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  5. John D. Collins on Aug 06, 2013

    If I was /A or /U, I would recommend a route that was direct to OKM V161 UKW V16 AIB. Once airborne, I would request vectors to HOLLE to shorten up the route.

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