Depart with no IAP

Even with proliferating GPS approaches, not all airports have an approach. And, without an approach, there’s no departure procedure. Can you legally get out in IMC?

Mark Kolber

Friday, May 24, 2024 at 08:16 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Part 91 regulations do not explicitly prohibit IFR departures from airports without instrument approaches or published departure procedures, placing full responsibility for obstacle clearance on the pilot.
While not explicitly illegal under specific IFR departure rules, such departures can be deemed "careless or reckless" under §91.13 if they create an unacceptable hazard due to unknown obstacles.
Safe IFR departure from unassessed airports requires strong personal risk management, deep familiarity with the airport and its immediate surroundings (often gained through visual flights), and typically good visual conditions, as electronic terrain data may be insufficient for close-in obstacle avoidance.

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Ellington, Connecticut, has a nontowered Class G airport (7B9) under the edge of the 10-mile ring of the Bradley Class C. Ellington has no instrument approaches. It’s not even displayed on the IFR Low En-Route chart because its 1800-foot runway is less than the 3000 foot minimum needed to be shown.

You’ve planned an IFR flight in a Cessna 172 from Ellington to Long Island MacArthur airport (KISP) to visit family. Your filed flight plan sends you direct to the Hartford VOR where you plan to pick up V1 for the ride to Long Island.