Going IFR in non-tower airport

[DCitrus9]

If there is an RCO on the field where you can talk to a FSS, but not ATC, then do NOT get your void time until you are at the hold short line. I've seen too many morons treat it like the phone call, ie. calling FSS on the radio before even cranking the engines, then somebody else ready to go at the hold short line gets stuck waiting for you. It just wastes airspace.

 

[Dave Benjamin]

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.

Why do you call for the clearance so early? Instead of closing the airspace for 20 minutes if it's IMC why don't you do what most professionals do and call shortly prior to departure? Otherwise the inbounds are stuck in holding burning up fuel and falling behind schedule while other outbounds that would have been ready to go in far less time are stuck waiting for you as well. Some 121 carriers aren't allowed to cancel period (QX?) so even on a VFR day they're stuck waiting for you to get on your way. Hopefully ATC/FSS will not grant you an excessive amount of time if there's other traffic routinely operating from that airfield but when they do it really messes up things for others. We routinely depart in the early AM's when twr is closed and we generally don't call for a clearance until about 3 mins prior if that long.

 

[Checks]

When you say you call 3 minutes prior I believe you must be talking about calling on the Radio via a designated clearance delivery freq or direct to the local FSS. What my post refered to was getting a clearance via the telephone. The previous 2 messages alluded to the quickness one must be moving to go from the FBO telephone to the aircraft, run-up, depart IMC, and get in contact with ATC prior to the clearance void time. In my situation, I typically need to load my passengers(one is on a stretcher) after getting my clearance. This alone can eat up 5 minutes.
If there is inbound traffic to my ricky dink airport then ATC will not issue my clearance with the void time I want. Then I have to either wait or accept a shorter void time.
The point I was trying to make is that someone shouldnt feel rushed in departing IFR in IMC conditions, there usually isnt anybody else inbound to BFE airport at o' dark thirty and the only reason ATC gave you the 10 minute void time is because nobody ever asks for more time. If you need more time then try and get it.

 

[regionalcap]

I agree that you should wait until you are taxiing the airplane or at least just prior to starting the engines. However, at some smaller airports, cell phone coverage may be inadequate when calling the FSS.

 

[varicam]

Typically I cant reach ATC until about 5000ft, which takes me about 2 minutes to reach.

All the telephone clearances I've received state that "clearance void if not OFF before xxxx". The requirement to contact ATC before the void time is news to me.

 

[Checks]

You are correct.

What was I thinking?