Originally Posted by
A Squared
Just to clarify, once you are on an IFR clearance enroute, you may not climb VFR at your discretion, you must request a clearance to do so.
Well yes because doing something other than what you are cleared to do is violating that clearance.
Exactly the same if you are VFR in controlled airspace.
And just to clarify, we can have an IFR plan in the system. Launch from a place OCTA without talking to ATC, enter E. We can then "change rules". Just because you have an IFR plan in the system doesn't mean you are actually operating IFR at that time.
Even if you are cleared IFR, ATC are incredibly unlikely to deny a request for a VFR climb.
It really isn't all that difficult here.