IFR & VFR queries

[SpiralStability]

I hope this is the best forum for this, if not forgive me!

I have a couple of questions relating to GA/commercial non-airline flying that I've been mulling over for a couple of days and would appreciate some input....the origin of this is thinking about aerial photography/surveying type work.

1. If you departed on a VFR flight and you are instrument rated and the aeroplane is IFR equipped, and you decided that you wanted to break through some clouds, what would be the correct way to do so? File an IFR flight plan in flight? If so, what routing would you put if you were simply buzzing around on a pleasure flight? Or could you just ask for a Radar Advisory service?

2. If you wanted to undertake aerial photography work in class A airspace (ie over London), you would have to file an IFR flight plan, but what route information would you put, given that you are (presumably) going to be flying in VMC and buzzing around as if it was VFR?

Hope someone might provide some insight.

Thanks.

[AerocatS2A]

Disclaimer: I don't fly in the UK so what works here might not work there.

For both of your scenarios I would file IFR (in flight for scenario #1) and give them some waypoints as a general indication of my flight path. I'd then tell them I'd be operating "upto 10 nm either side of track" or whatever you wanted to make it, and request clearance or traffic information as appropriate.

Specifically for your London scenario, I'd give a central waypoint in the area I intended to be operating, give a radius of operation and altitude, and request clearance based on that. Also, it would be a good idea to call the relevant ATC, on the phone before flight, and just tell them what you want to do and ask them how they'd like you to do it.

[BizJetJock]

The UK answer is - it depends on the airspace category. Having said that, if you're talking about class G airspace which is virtually all of it outside control zones and airways, then you don't need to file a flight plan, get a clearance or even talk to anyone. It is probably sensible to talk to a radar service, but in the South East you sometimes get wonderful replies to your request like "unable to give you radar service due to high traffic density"!!:eek:
For ops inside class A airspace that are not following established routes you need a special flight clearance. Call the relevant ATC unit and they'll tell you what you need to do to apply, and give you advice on whether it's likely to be approved!
Good luck.

[ATP_Al]

I have operated a few parachute dropping flights over London with Islanders so might be able to help.

For any activity such as aerial photography over London you would need to speak to London Air Traffic Control Centre (LATCC) at West Drayton. You do not need to file a flight plan as the flight would be Special VFR. However, you will need to file non-standard flight (NSF) notification in writing. This needs to done well in advance although I am not sure how many days/weeks notice you would have to give. On the day you talk to Thames Radar or Heathrow Special. They will try to accommodate your request, but nothing is guaranteed as it depends on traffic and workload at the time. Also remember you will need a twin to operate over London.


Al

[SpiralStability]

Thanks all for your help! I'd given up on getting any response, but all three were really useful! Always seems so simple and logical in hindsight!

[theWings]

If you departed on a VFR flight and you are instrument rated and the aeroplane is IFR equipped, and you decided that you wanted to break through some clouds
Sounds like your question should start "If you departed on a flight in VMC and you want to go IMC..."?

Assuming you're in Open FIR, just fly within the limits of your license and aeroplane i.e. in or out of cloud. And assuming you're getting a FIS from someone, see if you can't get better looked after with a RIS or even a RAS.

Otherwise, if you're in, say, Class D, you'll have some sort of clearance/routing to adhere to.

[Send Clowns]

I did exactly this yesterday, in the aircraft ATP_Al flew until Friday (good luck on the type rating, mate!). We were talking to Wattisham, with FIS, when I entered cloud at the level she had asked me to fly, so I just asked for a RIS (could have gone for RAS, but wasn't really necessary). No problem with that, and she looked after all my needs until I chopped to Southend, whom she also kindly gave my details.

[machlimter99]

What equipment allows your aircraft to be IFR??

[Fly Better!]

and she looked after all my needs

Oh! My word, that is what I call service!!:eek:

Sorry, I'll leave now. :uhoh:

[AerocatS2A]

What equipment allows your aircraft to be IFR??

Is this a serious question? There are legal minimum equipment levels for an aircraft to be able to fly IFR. I'll look it up for you if you really want the details.