IFR pilots can streamline the transition from a VFR departure to an in-flight IFR clearance by pre-filing a specific type of flight plan.
This involves completing a standard IFR flight plan form but specifying a VFR cruising altitude and noting "VFR flight following" in the remarks section.
This method ensures ATC holds your planned routing, simplifying initial flight following communication and making it much easier for controllers to convert your flight to an IFR routing mid-flight if weather conditions require it.
Here’s a time-saving trick for IFR pilots who want to depart their home airport VFR and then have the option of easily picking up an IFR routing midflight.
To do it, simply fill out an IFR flight plan form as you normally would, but input a VFR cruising altitude (for example, 8,500 feet) in the altitude block, with “VFR flight following” written in the remarks section.
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