ATC clearance and flight plan required

In plain English

To fly IFR in controlled airspace you need two things, both before you operate: a filed IFR flight plan and an appropriate ATC clearance.

Key points

• File an IFR flight plan.
• Receive an appropriate ATC clearance.
• Both are required to operate IFR in controlled airspace.

Common pitfalls

• Departing IFR before the clearance has been received and read back/understood.

Summary: To operate IFR in controlled airspace you must have filed an IFR flight plan and received an appropriate ATC clearance.