Can a private pilot file an IFR flight plan? Yes, if he has a valid instrument rating. Private pilots may obtain all sorts of endorsements to their licenses, such as float, multi, instrument, and higher GTOW.
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You can even file an IFR flight plan if you are not instrument rated. You just can't be the Pilot in Command of the flight flying IFR or in IMC if you are not rated and current.
14 CFR 91.169 (b) (2) (i) states that an alternate airport is not required if “for at least 1 hour before and for 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival the ceiling will be at least 2000 feet above the airport elevation and the visibility will be at least 3 statute miles.” To help remember those conditions of the ...
IFR stands for Instrument Flight Rules and without an instrument rating, pilots may not operate under IFR. Instrument Flight Rules essentially means: You can file an instrument flight (evaluate weather conditions) You can efficiently move through areas of differing airspace.
A Cessna 150 can be IFR certified if equipped with the 20 or more instruments and devices specified under section 91.205 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). The exact equipment configuration depends on the route to be flown. Other recency requirements also apply.
The benefits of operating under IFR are numerous. Often the equipment on board allows for very precise flight along a route that is more direct than the twists and turns that might be required to dodge airspace and some weather under VFR.
IFR flying is astronomically more challenging than VFR flying, but those pilots who achieve this distinction are invariably more equipped to fly IFR and VFR. Aviating under IFR, a pilot is authorized to fly into clouds in what is called zero visibility. All of the VFR-pilot privileges also apply.