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3 Answers

IFR Clearance at Non Towered Airport Underlying Class C

Asked by: 2515 views ,
Airspace, General Aviation, Private Pilot

Scenario: Departing VMC at a non towered airport underlying class C that begins at 2100’. Class C surface to 4800’ begins about 2nm from takeoff runway. There is a clearance delivery frequency listed for the non towered airport in the A/FD

Is it recommended to get the IFR clearance on the CD frequency or to depart VFR, turn to avoid class C surface area, then call approach to get my IFR clearance? I realize a clearance is not guaranteed in the air if ATC is busy. However, since weather is VFR I would prefer not to lock down the other IFR traffic or be delayed taking off.

What is the rule or best practice for this situation?

Thanks!

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3 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Sep 20, 2019

    Unless I was concerned that my clearance would be seriously delayed if I called for it and was prepared to remain VFR until clear of all traffic (much of which also depends on my direction of flight) I find it difficult to think of how getting my IFR clearance before takeoff would be a disadvantage.

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  2. Kellan on Oct 05, 2019

    Most professional pilots who routinely fly IFR become quite used to the “inconvenience” of getting the clearance on the ground. Additionally, many companies have operating specifications that dictate what they are allowed to do anyhow, with emphasis on safety, of course, that is driven by the FAA, insurance, pilot training and commercial aviating as a whole.
    There are many factors that you should decide on before every flight anyway, but remember that safety is always first, especially in considering a few minutes here and there lost, and someone else being slightly delayed for their clearance. That being said, I also try, sometimes to a fault, to be out of other people’s way while flying, and teach my students the same politeness in day to day flying. There are just times when you need to take care of yourself and your airplane.
    In your scenario, if its VFR, and you have no reason to get the clearance on the ground, other than to say you got it, then just go flying and figure out with approach/departure or center when you really need it.

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  3. CarsonAviation on Oct 12, 2019

    We run into this issue a lot at an un-towered field near a certain Class B airport, and it’s always a pain. The Clearance Delivery frequency doesn’t go to a guy at a desk, it goes to the live controller handling all the planes in the approach sector and they usually tell us they won’t give us a clearance for 30 minutes or more. We usually depart VFR and then pickup the clearance in the air once we’re out from under the approaches and talking to a controller who has the time to give it to us. It’s a pain, but still better than sitting idle on the ground for an hour or more waiting to be released.

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