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If I am going to depart a non towered airport VFR but am going to pick up an IFR clearance in the air. Should I file as IFR or VFR? Or does it matter?

IFR

rtataryn wrote:IFR

Ok. Thank you. Just wanted to clarify.

MitLogue1 wrote:If I am going to depart a non towered airport VFR but am going to pick up an IFR clearance in the air. Should I file as IFR or VFR? Or does it matter?

It matters a great deal. When you file a flight plan, it is filed with Flight Service.

IFR flight plans are forwarded from Flight Service to the ARTCC (aka "the center') from which the flight will depart. VFR flight plans are not forwarded at all.

So, if you file VFR and then call in the air (or on the ground) to pick up your clearance, ATC won't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about.