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Resist the Urge

Since most flights end in VMC, it’s common to cancel the flight plan as soon as you’ve got eyes on the airport. Good idea? Only sometimes—it can be a tough call.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots frequently cancel IFR airborne at non-towered airports for various reasons, but this practice, especially in marginal VFR conditions, can remove crucial ATC support and eliminate defined missed approach procedures, increasing risk.
  • A flight scenario demonstrates the complexities of IFR operations, highlighting challenges in adapting to unforecasted weather for approach selection (e.g., RNAV vs. visual) and making safe departure decisions when facing "hold for release" delays.
  • The article emphasizes that rushing decisions, whether canceling IFR in the air or expediting departures under pressure, can compromise safety and legality, advocating for careful consideration over expediency in all phases of IFR flight.
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Canceling IFR while still airborne appears to be a natural instinct of Pilotus instrumentae. Why is that? Maybe it’s our generous nature, helping your brethren waiting for release while you own the airspace. Or is it our mission-driven mindset—check that box; get it done. Or perhaps it’s simply fear of forgetting to cancel on the ground, followed by that embarrassing call on the FBO phone. (I had a, uh, friend who did that once.) 

Some of us can eliminate the problem by flying only to towered airports, since Tower cancels for you upon landing. So we’re lazy, then. “None of the above,” one P. instrumentae declared. “When it’s non-towered, we wanna talk on CTAF to the VFR traffic.”

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