Clearance Question

[Citationkid]

All my trips start at an airport just on the south edge of Philly's airspace. After departure I have to fly a northernly heading for about 10 minutes until they let me turn south. This adds about 20 minutes to all of south bound trips and they also step climb me at a very slow rate. Now that it is cold outside, we will be doing a lot of south FL trips, but there's no way to make it non stop unless I climb straight to the mid twenties and head southbound right away. Would I be able to depart VFR to the south and get my clearance airborn with Wash Center, or would only Philly be able to issue me my clearance? The airport in question is EVY if it helps.

Thanks,

Alex.

[meritflyer]

I used to depart VFR nearly everytime I was going to fly IFR out of Phoenix to slim down my wheels up time. A simple radio call to ABQ or PHX center and I was on an IFR plan. Sometimes though, when the weather is down a pop-up clearance was not well received.

[BobDDuck]

As long as you stay out of the Bravo on your way out it shouldn't be a problem picking up the clearance with Washington. Just keep in mind it may take them a while to a) get to you and b) dig up your clearance so you may be stuck VFR for a while.

A simple radio call to ABQ or PHX center and I was on an IFR plan

Aroo?

[meritflyer]

Ha!! I meant PHX approach.

[sigmanu499]

Originally Posted by meritflyer

I used to depart VFR nearly everytime I was going to fly IFR out of Phoenix to slim down my wheels up time. A simple radio call to ABQ or PHX center and I was on an IFR plan. Sometimes though, when the weather is down a pop-up clearance was not well received.

Remember you are not guarented IFR service if you are already in the air. If the weather is bad and ATC is super busy with flow/edcts and they feel you are trying to get around the system by departing VFR and then picking up IFR in the air, you could be refused IFR services or put into holding for a really long time. I am not a center guy but thats what we tell pilots who ask about it at my airport.

[atcsleepy]

you can depart vfr and pick up your clearance in the air.

when you depart ifr sometimes you get stepped up and get vectors but you are under close watch of the approach controller. departing vfr may shorten your trip but you are on your own before that. some days you will be able to pick up a clearance as soon as you call up and some days you will have to provide your own navigation and separation until they get to you.

[moxiepilot]

in my experience Philly seems like one of the only places where they seem to NOT be able to handle a pop up clearance when they're remotely busy. Everywhere else, "xxx apch, king air xxx 3000, ready to copy IFR"

[Citationkid]

Thanks for the comments.

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

in my experience Philly seems like one of the only places where they seem to NOT be able to handle a pop up clearance when they're remotely busy. Everywhere else, "xxx apch, king air xxx 3000, ready to copy IFR"

That is why I was wondering if Center would have my clearance. I always get my clearance in the air at my home airport, but Philly doesn't even answer when you call airborn for a clearance. It they do answer all they say is "We can't help you, get the clearance on the ground next time".

Alex.

[nosehair]

Originally Posted by Citationkid

"We can't help you, get the clearance on the ground next time".

I think that is the standard response of Philly...and Philly only...they are the most unaccomodating ATC I have ever had to work with.

[atcsleepy]

Originally Posted by Citationkid

That is why I was wondering if Center would have my clearance.

Yes, they will have your flight plan. You still run the risk of them not giving it to you right away.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by nosehair

I think that is the standard response of Philly...and Philly only...they are the most unaccomodating ATC I have ever had to work with.

I fly into Philly at 0500 every Monday and 9 out of 10 times the controller is this chick who is mean, rude, and makes you wanna land, drive to the TRACON and kick her in her face.

She is generally only working 3 to 4 planes and seems agitated and overworked doing it. She often pesters inbound FedEx jets if they have the field in sight or not - she seriously seems angry when they don't have the field - as if lining them up for an approach would take up too much of her precious time.

I also once had a tower controller at Philly ask ME about the airport SOP. I had asked for a specific runway to takeoff from, and she told me she was new, and asked if the other guys usually let me depart that runway.

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by Ian J

I fly into Philly at 0500 every Monday and 9 out of 10 times the controller is this chick who is mean, rude, and makes you wanna land, drive to the TRACON and kick her in her face.

LMAO!!!!

[minitour]

Originally Posted by Ian J

I also once had a tower controller at Philly ask ME about the airport SOP. I had asked for a specific runway to takeoff from, and she told me she was new, and asked if the other guys usually let me depart that runway.

That's got to be one of those "trick-woman-questions". Along the lines of "does this make my ass look big?"

"No...your ass makes the dress look small."

-mini

[aloft]

What about filing a composite flight plan, with the VFR portion first? Or is that functionally the same as getting a pop-up clearance?

[sdfcvoh]

Not completely sure this would help but its a thought - VFR under Bravo in the direction you need until you can climb under Bravo and eventually pick up your clearance that way. Even if you file IFR from the ground, sounds like you might end up copying a new plan that takes you in the wrong direction until you fit into the traffic flow from what you posted.

So, possibly taking it easy on the fuel flow, flying low under the space as a plan at first? Passengers love the city lights from those low altitudes