picking up ifr clearance in the air

In order to abide by instrument flight rules, you must be graced with a meaningful clearance from ATC before permitting entry into the realm of controlled airspace. Supplied with permission to penetrate, you will further receive directional tips to aid your travel through the area securely.

Before taking off, you can contact ATC on the ground frequency and request the needed IFR clearance. The controller will issue this clearance to you, which you’ll be required to confirm you comprehended correctly by repeating it back. Alternatively, when already in-flight, you can still get the clearance delivered from ATC station.

The moment you take off, you should articulate your clearance needs to Air Traffic Control through the corresponding frequency. When they answer, simply request your clearance and they’ll echo it right back to you–but be sure to confirm the order with a pronunciation of your own.

An IFR clearance can also be expedited through a Flight Service Station (FSS). To do this, you should touch base with the FSS on the designated ground frequency and ask for them to “pass on” your clearance. The FSS will then communicate with Air Traffic Control, enabling them to deliver the clearance to you.

After being assigned an IFR clearance, it becomes critically important to stay in communication with ATC. They will provide you with essential details about other aircraft nearby, in addition to any modifications to your clearance. If radio contact with ATC is lost, attempt to make re-connection on the 121.5 MHz emergency airwaves.

Heed ATC instructions, and you can safely sail through the controlled airspace whilst flying under IFR. Even though it might be a tricky undertaking, if you take due care, you’ll get through it just fine.

Related Product