I hope this is a simple questionIf i am filing a ifr flight plan on vatsim and there is no atc at my departure airport, do I file my flight plan and take off then "airfile " " or open my plan" and open my plan with the first atc enroute, or do I contact an online atc and open before I leave the ground.what is the correct protocol .Thank you

File your plan using either: * Prefile - www.vatsim.net/fp* The software you use to connect to VATSIM, such as SB3.There doesn't need to be a controller online - the plan will be available in the system. Do this whilst on the ground.

>thanks but do i actually have to open my flight plan ( as in real life) or just fly and let them know im on a flight plan , so can i fly in the system without c formal clearance.i.e I take off , flight plan filed and then do I OPEN the plan at some future time cloase to an active controller of just fly and then ask for a clearance once contact is made.. ?sorry for the confusion , hope that is not confusing...File your plan using either: >* Prefile - www.vatsim.net/fp>* The software you use to connect to VATSIM, such as SB3.>>There doesn't need to be a controller online - the plan will>be available in the system. Do this whilst on the ground.>

>sorry for the confusion , hope that is not confusing...File, then fly. Your plan is available to all controllers and, when you enter into their airspace they will contact you.Because there is no constant cover the assumption is that your plan has been cleared and you have simply been handed off from a previous controller when you are asked to contact the controller.

thank you , very helpful...>>sorry for the confusion , hope that is not confusing...>>File, then fly. Your plan is available to all>controllers and, when you enter into their airspace they will>contact you.>>Because there is no constant cover the assumption is that your>plan has been cleared and you have simply been handed off from>a previous controller when you are asked to contact the>controller.thank you very helpful.