Did you know that if you receive a “hold for release” IFR clearance at an uncontrolled airfield then decide to depart VFR to pick up your clearance in the air it is a violation? A “hold for release” clearance is just what it says it is, a clearance, and as such you are not authorized to depart without first canceling either your IFR flight plan or clearance. After, though, you can depart VFR and then pick up your IFR clearance in the air if it is still active.
AIM part 5-2-6. Departure Restrictions, Clearance Void Times, Hold for Release, and Release Times
The above is intended to be advisory in nature and does not supersede any information contained in the FAR’s or AIM. Every situation is different and may not apply to every flight.
#1 by Heath Kel on November 4, 2009 - 11:07 am
Several crew at my company got violated this way. Know before you go!
#2 by Ron Levy on November 9, 2009 - 7:48 pm
The AIM section which you referenced directly contradicts your statement that after receiving a “hold for release” instruction, “you are not authorized to depart without first canceling either your IFR flight plan or clearance/” Section 5-2-6 of the AIM says, “The ATC instruction, ‘hold for release,’ applies to the IFR clearance and does not prevent the pilot from departing under VFR.”
#3 by Av8rrr on November 9, 2009 - 8:23 pm
If you still have an active IFR flight plan, but a “hold for release” has not been issued, then you can still depart VFR and pick up an IFR flight plan in the air. I don’t think that the AIM has been contradicted by the post. The statement was “depart without first canceling either your IFR flight plan or clearance”. I think you are being held up by the canceling the clearance part. You still have an IFR flight plan, but the clearance to hold airspace has been rescinded. Departing VFR is still allowed