4-2-8

IFR-VFR and VFR-IFR Flights

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Clear an aircraft planning IFR operations for the initial part of flight and VFR for the latter part to the fix at which the IFR part ends.
Treat an aircraft planning VFR for the initial part of flight and IFR for the latter part as a VFR departure. Issue a clearance to this aircraft when it requests IFR clearance approaching the fix where it proposes to start IFR operations. The phraseology CLEARED TO (destination) AIRPORT AS FILED may be used with abbreviated departure clearance procedures.
Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-3-3, Abbreviated Departure Clearance.
When an aircraft changes from VFR to IFR, the controller must assign a beacon code to Mode‐C equipped aircraft that will allow MSAW alarms.
When VFR aircraft operating below the minimum altitude for IFR operations requests an IFR clearance and the pilot informs you, or you are aware, that they are unable to climb in VFR conditions to the minimum IFR altitude:
1. Before issuing a clearance, ask if the pilot is able to maintain terrain and obstruction clearance during a climb to the minimum IFR altitude.
  Phraseology
  
  (Aircraft call sign), ARE YOU ABLE TO MAINTAIN YOUR OWN TERRAIN AND OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE UNTIL REACHING (appropriate MVA/MIA/MEA/OROCA)
  
  Note
  
  Pilots of pop-up aircraft are responsible for terrain and obstacle clearance until reaching minimum instrument altitude (MIA) or minimum en route altitude (MEA). Pilot compliance with an approved FAA procedure or an ATC instruction transfers that responsibility to the FAA; therefore, do not assign (or imply) specific course guidance that will (or could) be in effect below the MIA or MEA.
  
  Example
  
  “November Eight Seven Six, are you able to provide your own terrain and obstruction clearance between your present altitude and six thousand feet?”
2. If the pilot is able to maintain their own terrain and obstruction clearance, issue the appropriate IFR clearance as prescribed in paragraph 4-2-1, Clearance Items, and paragraph 4-5-6, Minimum En Route Altitudes.
3. If the pilot states that they are unable to maintain terrain and obstruction clearance, instruct the pilot to maintain VFR and to state intentions.
4. If appropriate, apply the provisions of paragraph 10-2-7, VFR Aircraft In Weather Difficulty, or paragraph 10-2-9, Radar Assistance Techniques, as necessary.
  Interpretation
  
  7110.65, 4-2-8, IFR-VFR and VFR-IFR Flights (11-03-2014)

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