Hi,

Helicopter IFR dude here.
Just wondering as this question came up, and I seem to be unable to find the correct answer in the RAC section of the aim... Can we file Direct to as opposed to using the Preferred IFR routes?

Have a route from CYQS (St. Thomas), via Windsor (CYQG) to London (CYXU), Preferred routing is V406 which is a 9000 feet, whilst I could go Direct by using RNAV, which is MUCH quicker, AND I would not have to go be scared up in the nosebleeds...

Cheers
Hagar

You'll have to file preferred but once you're wheels up you'll probably get direct anyhow.
The filing of preferred is so everyone knows what to expect and keeps you out of everyone's wat in case your radio goes dead.

It is my understanding that you can file whatever routing you want with FSS. The routing that you get with your clearance from ATC will depend on the airspace, available altitudes, as well as how busy the airspace is at the time of your flight. It is this initial clearance that will determine your course of action in the event of a comm failure.

If you want direct (and have the navigational means to do so) file it. You won't get it if you don't ask for it... Nor is there any guarantee that you will get direct either.

They are called "Preferred IFR Routes" not "Mandatory".

Isis wrote:It is my understanding that you can file whatever routing you want with FSS. The routing that you get with your clearance from ATC will depend on the airspace, available altitudes, as well as how busy the airspace is at the time of your flight. It is this initial clearance that will determine your course of action in the event of a comm failure.

If you want direct (and have the navigational means to do so) file it. You won't get it if you don't ask for it... Nor is there any guarantee that you will get direct either.

They are called "Preferred IFR Routes" not "Mandatory".

Well yeah - but you could have a long read back with the clearance if you don't file the preferred. You're never going to get a direct clearance anyhow so why waste yours and ATC's time? The read back is just going to be a full preferred route anyhow. I get a warm feeling allover when I get a "flight plan as filed" in my clearance when I do something like an Ottawa to Montreal, or a Sarnia to Montreal.

Often in busy centers, the preferred routing is not the "common" ATC clearance that is given for the route. I will often use fltplan.com for the previous clearances issued for the route and some common sense. I agree preferred routing is not mandatory routing

No time is wasted. We often get 'flight planned route' with direct filing, and that's on a YHM - YQT.

Good practice if you do use the preferred routes, but they're not mandatory and not always issued.

Ask for what you (as the PIC) want (altitude for weather, routing for company), then follow your clearance. Even once airborne, most sectors will try to accommodate a direct routing.

Or if you are doing a trip often, get in contact with the shift supervisor and ask them. They will tell you what makes there life easier for most efficient traffic handling which usually gets you wheels up and flying faster. Maybe for your flight direct is easiest for them too. Then if you do an off peak departure asking for direct if avaliable is easy too.