IFR for the VFR guys

[Lead Sled]

I'm gonna do it again:

So if you shoot the ILS at a pilot controlled field do you cancel IFR? You didn't file a flight plan according to the "required information" anyway...

I dunno...maybe I'm thinking WAY WAY WAY too far into this...

You never have to "cancel" IFR at a controlled field - the tower does it for you after you've landed. In the same way you never have to "open" an IFR flight plan when you depart from an airport with an operating control tower. I've been doing this for a long time and the only way you're going to avoid ambiguity on issues such as this (yes, there are others too) is to clarify with the controllers what you need to do to stay legal. Period. If you can't legally accept an IFR clearance, then I would make dang sure that you use wording such as "Request a VFR practice approach" or "Request a XXX approach in VFR conditions" or words to that effect. Out west, there have been plenty of times when we've departed VFR to a destination 20 minutes (say, 125 to 150 miles) away. It was always a simple matter when we contacted the tower to simply let them know that we would need the approach to get in that morning and ask for either the ILS or GPS approach. It was no big deal, they didn't ask for any additional information - they simply asked us to climb or descend to an appropriate IFR altitude and started with the vectors.

As to your other question...

Yeh, I think that you might be getting a head of yourself. Relax and enjoy the process. Concentrate on what's being presented at the time. It will all come together in time.

Lead Sled

 

[Sctt@NJA]

What is a pilot controlled field?

 

[minitour]

What is a pilot controlled field?

Pilot Controlled = Uncontrolled

I never tell anyone if I'm flying into an uncontrolled field...always call it Pilot Controlled...I made that mistake once and the look on their face was...fear...shock...

I just don't want it to add to the whole "GA unsafe against terrorism" stuff out there. At least if they hear pilot controlled they think someone controlls the airport...

Gotta remember...I was in sales...so I try to make the situation come out how I want it...

-mini

 

[Sctt@NJA]

I hear you. I believe "non-towered" field is the pc non-fear inducing term

 

[Lead Sled]

Pilot Controlled = Uncontrolled

Oops, I misread your post. Yes, you do have to cancel (let them know you're on the ground safely) after an IFR approach at a "pilot-controlled" airport.

Lead Sled

 

[philo beddoe]

Perhaps we could refer to them as "Operationally unencumbered fields"?


Or tell the passengers that the control tower was removed because too many pilots were crashing into it.

 

[minitour]

Perhaps we could refer to them as "Operationally unencumbered fields"?


Or tell the passengers that the control tower was removed because too many pilots were crashing into it.

LMAO hah...thats great stuff...

Not sure if that serves the purpose though...the whole crash thing...