On 8/23/04 4:54 PM, in article
, "Doug"
wrote:

A word of warning about picking up clearances in the air. There have
been some accidents where a plane was circling low while waiting for
his clearance. There have also been some violations for penetrating
the clouds before the clearance is received. You need to have an "out"
in case you cannot pick up your clearance quickly. Like the ability to
fly under the ceiling safely, or return to the airport. ATC is under
no obligation to clear you immediately upon request. I myself have
gotten into some funky situations trying to pick up an IFR clearance,
under a low cloud deck. ATC doesn't always do it "right" or convenient
to you. If it is working for you, fine, but you need to think about
these things. Most scheduled service have op specs against picking up
IFR cleanance in the air for the above reasons (and probably others I
haven't thought of). Don't get casual about it. I for one won't do it
unless I can proceed VFR to the next airport on my route. I choose to
get void time. I"ll admit, sometimes I have had to wait, but it is
rare and at least I am waiting on the ground, not in the air.


Noted.
We could have gotten home VFR with little problem although it was pretty
hazy. But I'm going to make a habit of filing for almost every flight,
especially since I have a new ticket, and flying out of an uncontrolled
field, I need as much practice talking to ATC as possible.
--
Jeff 'The Wizard of Draws' Bucchino
Cartoons with a Touch of Magic�
www.wizardofdraws.com
www.cartoonclipart.com