Nomore767 wrote:Merlinspop wrote:The only purpose of what Jack suggested is to improve your odds that the initial controller will say yes and give you radar advisories.
Huh? Radar advisories are simply ATC pointing out traffic, if they have the time. The onus is still on you so I don't see the advantage. The odds aren't really improved since ATC may or may not actually call out traffic if they're busy. VFR means the onus is on you to see and avoid unless the pilot feels that traffic spotting duty has been handed over to ATC!
Nowhere did I ever even suggest that "see and avoid" doesn't rule supreme for a VFR pilot, whether or not they are receiving advisories, whether the controller entered the data or or it was already there.
In fact it could be worse if a bunch of VFR guys file IFR in order to get a heads up on getting advisories such that ATC nixes it…due to traffic!
Traffic where? In the computer system, or in the air? The flight plan doesn't show up unless the controller pulls it up, so traffic in the system is a non factor. Traffic in the air? Don't we want people to fly?
Doesn't ATC get a strip on each IFR flight and has to have it ready as the flight enters the system? So instead of getting ATC interested in helping you it might do the opposite.
Not when "VFR/x500" appears in the altitude block, so I have been told.
Also when providing advisories ATC can suddenly decide to drop you due to traffic so you're back to square one.
Of course.
If you file IFR you have to list the name of the PIC who has to be IFR qualified and current.
See my earlier statement that I did not know whether Jack's suggested method was FAA/ATC approved. If this statement is indeed true, then FFF has his answer for his follow-on question.
If you file VFR then the named PIC must be appropriately qualified.
Duh, when did I suggest otherwise?
If you plan to enter the SFRA on an IFR flight plan then you file IFR as per normal.
Of course! This is a beautiful advantage of having an IFR rating in this area.
If you plan to enter the SFRA VFR then, procedurally, you file IFR requesting a VFR altitude and the flight will be considered VFR within the SFRA.
But you just said I have to be IFR and current! Oh, wait, there are procedural exceptions. Only this one? Are you positive? I don't know.
In fact the only time you file the special SFRA flight plan IS when you're VFR otherwise your on an IFR flight plan.
Again, duh! Did I suggest otherwise? Correction... You're on an IFR clearance. The flight plan just started the process to get the clearance.
Trying to game the system is not a good way to go, in my view.
You never file one route knowing the system will accept it and then request direct or a reroute once you're on your way? Isn't that gaming the system, too? How about taking off VFR to avoid waiting a long time for your clearance and picking up an IFR clearance once airborne?
Again, I'm NOT advocating this process, and I have yet to confirm whether it is approved (although I have inquired). All I was doing was explaining it. If you don't see any value in it, then don't use it. I know people who claim it works. Would they have gotten FF anyway? Don't know. Probably.