Sightseeing (orbits/off course) while IFR direct question:
- Thread starter Badger
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Just call ATC and tell them you would like to make a couple orbits to look at something, no worries.
Shawn
En-Route
You can also request to go VFR for a bit that way you are responsible for your own terrain avoidance and separation, do you maneuvers then back on IFR to continue on. Have done that as well. Just let ATC know your intentions.
If you stay IFR, I could see a controller not wanting to deal with watching where you are going and what you are doing to maintain legal separation.
If you stay IFR, I could see a controller not wanting to deal with watching where you are going and what you are doing to maintain legal separation.
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sounds too easy
IME ATC is very easy to deal with. I used to do photography within LA, SF, and San Diego Class B airspace and they were always great with me. I would just tell them what direction I was heading an how far, and they would get me cleared to there and ask me to report on station and call before leaving. Rarely did I get delays or circuitous routines.
Badger
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Badger
so with this method (after ATC acknowledgement) you squak 1200, take photos for 10 minutes, then call them up again to rejoin your IFR flight plan? Then you're issued a new squak?
Sometimes/places, mostly they'll tell you to keep your squawk, basically operating under VFR FF rules. In a situation such as you indicate, if you call up "Podunk approach, I just spotted something strange on the ground and would like to orbit a moment and maybe descend a bit." Most likely, unless there is a conflict indicated to them, you will get back a "Bugsmasher 123, orbit and altitude changes approved, report back on course."
When in doubt, let the controller know what you need, then let them either give you a direction, or if they don't really care, they'll put it back in your lap with 'state your intentions', the you suggest what is easiest for you.
On a photo run under positive control I usually tell the controller what I need to do and ask how they would best like to handle it. There's a couple of different options that all are the same to me, so however it makes that particular controller's life easier is fine by me.
I've even landed in the middle of an IFR plan and they just said, advise when you're back up.
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Bob Gardner
sounds too easy
ATC's primary responsibility is keeping you from swapping paint with another airplane. As long as they know your intentions and you stay in touch, they are very flexible.
Bob Gardner
Shawn
En-Route
Nope...we just switched to VFR FF, stayed on the same squawk and was still in radio contact with traffic advisories. When we were ready to continue on, reestablished IFR and gave me a "cleared to" our next way point.
That is where plain old English came into play on the radio, no fancy terminology, just "Here is what we want to do, does that work?"...yup..."thanks!"
poadeleted20
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...and remember that once you cancel IFR, there's no guarantee you'll get another IFR clearance later on and plan accordingly.
Shawn
En-Route
That is why I advised to let ATC know your intentions in plain English to see if they would/could accommodate the switch to VFR then back to IFR. Like you said...no guarantees!
The two times I had done this was once during IFR training we were on an IFR flight plan returning from a X country, wanted to do some maneuvers and ATC had us go VFR, but then we needed IFR again to shoot an approach in actual due to a marine layer over our destination.
Second time was flying to LA...just as the OP is asking, veered off course for some sight seeing for the PAX, but wanted to be IFR to get through LAX airspace as it is a heck of a lot easier.
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It was normal for me commuting between Long Beach and Oakland. Both ends would be socked in but the valley between was clear. I'd just keep my IFR even in beautiful VMC because I'll need it at the other end of the valley.