Readback: August 2013

Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

It is legal to depart IFR into IMC from a non-towered airport in Class G airspace without immediate ATC clearance, provided you remain in Class G until receiving clearance, and an IFR clearance isn't even needed if remaining entirely in Class G.
Best practices for IFR operations at non-towered airports include specifying the departure runway when requesting clearance and promptly canceling IFR upon landing (once VFR conditions are met) to ensure efficient airspace use.
For VFR radio failure in Class B or C airspace, absent specific AIM guidance, pilots should generally follow IFR radio failure procedures, and DME is not required for the final approach segment of an ILS, though it may be for initial or missed approach procedures.

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Can I Really Do That?
I read with amazement Paul Bertorelli’s sidebar regarding “IFR in Class G Airspace” in the June issue.

Just so I’m clear on this…I can file an IFR flight plan, climb into my plane at a non-towered airport which lies within Class G airspace, fire it up and climb out into the “clag” (without a clearance from ATC) as long as I remain clear of controlled airspace until calling ATC and receiving my clearance from them and this is legal?