This is all encouraged by our out of date rules. If you wish to go IFR in Australia, in effect you have to put in a full flight plan and do this 30 minutes in advance. Under the US NAS, even if you are in Class E there is a simple call for going IFR – it’s called a “pop up clearance.” The basic details are put in and a clearance is given – all within about 30 seconds.
In the UK it is “free in G” – you simply fly in Class G IFR. In Canada you fly “free in G” by making an announcement on 126.7 when in IMC.
Under NAS there is provision for “free in G.” When this is introduced there will be simple procedures so an aircraft can climb through or fly in cloud without having to put in a detailed flight plan to Airservices 30 minutes in advance and receive a charge for getting basically nothing.
So let’s see some support from GA for the continued introduction of the Government NAS policy.