If the weather is below VFR minimums and you plan to penetrate controlled airspace, an IFR flight plan and an ATC clearance based on that flight plan are mandatory.
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Flights. Aircraft within Class B airspace are required to operate in accordance with current IFR procedures.
You haven't flown through IMC without a clearance, have you? Technically, you can fly in IMC without a clearance in Class G airspace, because it's not controlled. Controlled airspace simply means you need a clearance to fly in the clouds. Class G airspace is uncontrolled, so it's not illegal to fly in the clouds.
Ground-based navigation equipment is not required for en route IFR RNAV operations when using GPS WAAS navigation systems. To use GPS for IFRapproaches, you must use GPS avionics that are properly approved and installed, and all approach procedures to be flown must be retrievable from the airborne navigation database.
In theory, a pilot can operate in sub-VMC conditions under IFR without an ATC clearance in Class G airspace. However, to enter or operate in controlled airspace under IFR, an ATC clearance is required.
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.
Therefore, a pilot may file an IFR flight plan to an airpo1t without an instrument approach procedure, and that flight plan must include th. e information as required by§ 91.169(a)(l) & (2).
As a general answer, flights at altitudes at and above 18,000 feet (5.49 km) above mean sea level require flight plans. Nevertheless, for flights at lower altitudes in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace, the need for a flight plan is not mandatory across most of the airspace in the United States.
Part of the reason instrument flying is such a thrill is that it's hard, a fact that is simultaneously underrated and overrated by pilots. Underrated because really flying IFR (not just earning the rating) is probably the most challenging activity you can do these days, unless you're a heart surgeon or a Navy SEAL.
If there is any question of weather, you can (and should) retain your IFR clearance until on the ground and then cancel. However, there may be good reasons to cancel depending upon circumstances. For example somebody may be following you and cannot be cleared for the approach until you cancel your IFR clearance.
IFR flying provides certain protections which are not readily available to those flying under VFR. Even if you never fly into a cloud, having an IFR-equipped airplane and pilot will make for a safer and confident journey. Flying through and above the clouds provides for safer travels.
IFR flying is astronomically more challenging than is VFR flying, but those pilots who achieve this distinction are invariably better and safer pilots, both when flying IFR and when flying VFR. Aviating under IFR, a pilot is authorized to fly into clouds in what is called zero visibility.
A pilot holding a Private Pilot License (PPL) must fly in VFR conditions. IFR stands for “Instrument Flight Rules” and allows a pilot who is Instrument Rated (IR) to operate an aircraft by relying almost solely on instruments. Once a pilot holds a PPL, the next step is to be Instrument Rated (IR).
Standard takeoff minima are one statute mile for aircraft having two engines or less and one-half statute mile for aircraft having more than two engines. Specified ceiling and visibility minima will allow visual avoidance of obstacles during the initial climb at the standard climb gradient.
(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. (b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.