IFR Clearances

[KigAir]

Is it possible to have a situation where you file an IFR flight plan but not be issued a clearance by ATC? Can ATC be too busy to accept new flights?

 

[Diesel]

Not sure exactly what you are asking.

This winter along the florida turnpike. NY to FLA they actually shut down the airspace. We came out of BOS and had to hold at Norwich at 410 with no idea when they told us we could go.

They told us the system had been totally saturated and they couldn't even give handoff's or squawk numbers.

That was an insane day.

 

[A Squared]

>Can ATC be too busy to accept new flights?

Sure, "busy" is a relative term though. Say you're departing a non-radar airport. It's one plane in-one plane out. If there is an IFR flight inbound, or a departing IFR flight which has already received a clearence, you will be denied a clearence (actually, you are given a clearence with a "hold for release", which means you have a clearence, but you can't actually depart until you've been released.) ATC won't let you go until the other aircraft has landed (in the case of an inbound) or the departing aircraft has cleared the area. In a sense, that's because ATC is too "busy" to let you go ie: can't provide seperation with non-radar techniques.

THere's also flow control and ground stops, which are a result of things being busy, but I know little or nothing about as I am fortunate to fly in a part of the world where they don't exist. Maybe someone else can chime in on those.

 

[puddlejumper]

See TMPA MSG... blah blah blah

Happens all the time going to Philadelphia. Usually they claim it's due to volume. I think they calculate the number of arrival slots available only on the big parallel runways and not factor in 8/26 or 17/35. That's a ground hold and it's time to get creative with the flight plan. Re-file for ACY and away ya go. Things are usually worked out in the 45 minutes it takes to get up there, even though the TMPA message update still hasn't come out. PHL always accepts the little planes once they're in the air. I'm always prepared to hang out in ACY if it doesn't work out!

-pj

 

[Flibmeister]

Can ATC be too busy to accept new flights?

Absolutely. The phrase "workload permitting" is scattered liberally throughout the ATC manual-- and each individual controller has wide latitude in deciding what his workload does and doesn't permit.

 

[Vector4fun]

Is it possible to have a situation where you file an IFR flight plan but not be issued a clearance by ATC? Can ATC be too busy to accept new flights?

You need to be more specific about the circumstances for a more accurate answer. If you filed a flight plan, and then tried to pick it up in the air after departing VFR, then, of course it's possible.

FAA 7110.65

4-3-5. GROUND STOP​

Do not release an aircraft if a ground stop (GS) applicable to that aircraft is in effect, without the approval of the originator of the GS.​

and​

4-3-9. VFR RELEASE OF IFR DEPARTURE​

When an aircraft which has filed an IFR flight plan requests a VFR departure through a terminal facility, FSS, or air/ground communications station:​

a. After obtaining, if necessary, approval from the facility/sector responsible for issuing the IFR clearance, you may authorize an IFR flight planned aircraft to depart VFR. Inform the pilot of the proper frequency and, if appropriate, where or when to contact the facility responsible for issuing the clearance.

PHRASEOLOGY-​

VFR DEPARTURE AUTHORIZED. CONTACT (facility) ON (frequency) AT (location or time if required) FOR CLEARANCE.

b. If the facility/sector responsible for issuing the clearance is unable to issue a clearance, inform the pilot, and suggest that the delay be taken on the ground. If the pilot insists upon taking off VFR and obtaining an IFR clearance in the air, inform the facility/sector holding the flight plan of the pilot's intentions and, if possible, the VFR departure time.​

​

​

 

[Uncle Sparky]

Unless your plan is lost in the system, you usually always get a clearance.

Getting a release may be a different issue!
If you are at an uncontrolled airport that is in close proximity to a busy sector you will usually receive a full clearance along with a hold for release instruction. At a controlled field, you will get a clearance and may be transferred to a gate hold frequency, who will then give you a vague EFC time. (Teterboro comes to mind)