The first thing that might be on your mind is; “Aren’t there fewer rules if you are IFR?” Well, kind of. The main example is if you are IFR, you need not worry about weather requirements for entering certain airspace. An IFR clearance in itself provides separation from other aircraft and obstacle clearance in all but class G airspace, hence the phraseology, “upon entering controlled airspace…” Actual requirements for entering airspace vary and you can better prepare yourself based on what controllers might or might not say or do. How do the normal airspace requirements vary if you are on an IFR flight plan?
VFR vs IFR
We’ve all seen the charts that explain the requirements for flying through certain airspace, and controllers even use them at times. The main thing that could stop a VFR pilot from entering certain airspace is weather. With the exception of military special-use airspace (SUA), there is no VFR stuff going on in Class A airspace. Weather, airplane equipment, and pilot qualifications aside, in Class B you need prior two-way communications and a clearance. In Class C and D you need prior two-way communications; in Class E you only need prior communications if on an IFR flight plan. Ok great! But Ifile IFR 95 percent of the time … how does this apply to me?
