IFR in Class G?

[midlifeflyer]

Then what is "We have an IFR inbound, hold for release?" If you're taking off from an airport in class G, ATC can still make you hold and not give you a clearance. So they do have control over uncontrolled fields?

 

No. But they do have control over the overlying controlled airspace and will not clear an IFR aircraft into controlled airspace when it will potentially conflict with traffic into controlled airspace. In theory only, the IFR rules mean departing aircraft can take off in IFR conditions and stay clear of controlled airspace, but it would be a guaranteed violation of 91.13 (there are cases dealing with this type of scenario).

 

This also applies to your question:

 

So based on this IFR in class G stuff.... does that mean that any instrument rated pilot caught breaking VFR wx minimums in class G airspace can always get away with saying he was IFR without a flight plan? Basically any instrument rated pilot can fly IFR in class G at any time?

 

Technically legal IFR operations in Class G may be careless and reckless based on other considerations. Here's one of the cases: http://www.ntsb.gov/alj/o_n_o/docs/AVIATION/3935.PDF

 

What is IFR anyway? I don't think it's clearly defined anywhere.

Try FAR 1.1 which you'll recall, contains definitions for all of the regs.

 

""IFR" means instrument flight rules."

 

 

"IFR conditions means weather conditions below the minimum for flight under visual flight rules."

[201er]

So IFR in class G is allowed but it's considered careless and reckless??? That's just great. So like the pilot said, why bother allowing IFR in class G then? Why have uncontrolled airspace at all? Perhaps VFR flight in class G is careless and reckless despite being legal cause no one is controlling it? 

 

What if above mentioned pilot had TCAS onboard? Or even just TIS-B? Would that still be careless for flying IFR in class G?

 

How about flying VFR in class G with 1 mile vis and clear of clouds in a fast airplane? At Mooney cruising speeds, that's 25 seconds to "see and avoid." In a TBM, that might be closer to 10 seconds. What about flying through an arrivals corridor VFR unaware of it? Is that going to be careless and reckless too? This is a bit scary that law abiding pilots can still be charged for breaking rules they don't know about...

[chrisk]

There are certain places where I would consider IFR in class G to be an acceptable risk.  For example airports 3TE3 or 89TE.  Assume a cloud base of 2500 AGL, with a few holes big enough to see see blue, but not big enough to stay VFR legal.  I'd just broad cast on CTAF and climb through.  There is almost 0 chance of another airplane within 5 miles.  Probably an order of magnitude safer than an instrument approach in marginal VFR at a busy airport. 

 

And for those that have not been to this part of the country, you can sometimes drive for an hour and not see another car.  --An yes, I still look before pulling on to the road.