Can you operate on an IFR flight plan in uncontrolled airspace?

[Steve]

I would say no. What do you guys think?

 

[Seadogrun]

Yes. If you are going into an uncontrolled airport with an approach and minimum weather, you can not cancel untill on the ground. So generally below 700ft on the approach you are in uncontrolled airspace AND on an IFR flight plan/clearance. Same with departing.

 

[GoingHot]

Yes. If you are going into an uncontrolled airport with an approach and minimum weather, you can not cancel untill on the ground. So generally below 700ft on the approach you are in uncontrolled airspace AND on an IFR flight plan/clearance. Same with departing.

That makes sense, however, once you depart controlled airspace, ATC is done with you: "Radar service terminated".

 

[MASH4077]

Well, you are still operating on the IFR flight plan during the approach. ATC will not let another aircraft begin an approach until you cancel IFR.

So, yes, you can operate in uncontrolled airspace while on an IFR flight plan, in my opinion.

 

[GogglesPisano]

There is nothing is the regs that says you cannot. You may not have ATC service, however.

 

[paulsalem]

Realized GoingHot is correct.

Yes you can, ATC just cannot "control" you.

What you'll hear is "upon entering controlled airspace [insert vector or fix here]".

 

[Seadogrun]

Another interesting point is that you do not need a clearance to operate IFR in uncontrolled airspace.

 

[time builder]

Here's what part 135 has to say:

135.215 IFR: Operating limitations.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft under IFR outside of controlled airspace or at any airport that does not have an approved standard instrument approach procedure.
(b) The Administrator may issue operations specifications to the certificate holder to allow it to operate under IFR over routes outside controlled airspace if—
(1) The certificate holder shows the Administrator that the flight crew is able to navigate, without visual reference to the ground, over an intended track without deviating more than 5 degrees or 5 miles, whichever is less, from that track; and
(2) The Administrator determines that the proposed operations can be conducted safely.
(c) A person may operate an aircraft under IFR outside of controlled airspace if the certificate holder has been approved for the operations and that operation is necessary to—
(1) Conduct an instrument approach to an airport for which there is in use a current approved standard or special instrument approach procedure; or
(2) Climb into controlled airspace during an approved missed approach procedure; or
(3) Make an IFR departure from an airport having an approved instrument approach procedure.
(d) The Administrator may issue operations specifications to the certificate holder to allow it to depart at an airport that does not have an approved standard instrument approach procedure when the Administrator determines that it is necessary to make an IFR departure from that airport and that the proposed operations can be conducted safely. The approval to operate at that airport does not include an approval to make an IFR approach to that airport.

 

[pilotyip]

Op Spec A14 allows IFR enroute operations in uncontrolled airspace.

 

[skipro101]

Our ops specs preclude us from operating IFR enroute while in uncontrolled airspace, but we can operate in it to the extent necessary for approach/depature.

Nothing says you can't do it part 91 though....