Helicopter IFR Technique: Communications – Cancellation of IFR 

When an IFR flight terminates at an airport with an operating control tower, the flight plan is automatically closed upon landing. When an IFR flight terminates at an airport without an operating control tower, the pilot must initiate the cancellation. 

AIM section 5-1-15, Canceling IFR Flight Plan, provides two options. 

You can cancel after landing through Flight Service by phone or radio with the appropriate ATC facility. You may also cancel in the air whenever you are operating in VFR conditions. 

If the weather is low IFR, I will cancel on the ground. When I am assured that I can continue to the airport under VFR, however, I generally prefer to cancel while still airborne. 

Airborne cancellation offers two advantages. It is one less task to remember after landing, and it releases the protected airspace for another IFR arrival or departure. 

That second advantage can be significant at a non-towered airport. Except where radar or other approved procedures permit, ATC generally cannot clear the next aircraft for an approach at an uncontrolled field until the preceding aircraft has landed or canceled IFR. An aircraft waiting to depart may face a similar delay while the airspace remains protected for the arrival. 

Airborne cancellation also has a significant tradeoff. Once ATC acknowledges the cancellation, IFR separation and associated radar services are discontinued. Another IFR aircraft may be released, and you become responsible for maintaining VFR and seeing and avoiding other traffic while navigating to the runway or another landing surface . 

Before canceling, I want to be confident that I can remain VFR to the landing area and maintain adequate terrain and obstacle clearance while deconflicting with traffic. 

Regardless of when you intend to cancel, controllers consistently appreciate knowing your plan. That information helps them sequence other IFR arrivals and departures and determine how long the airspace may remain unavailable. 

After receiving my approach clearance, I try to add one concise statement of intent to the read back: 

“Cleared RNAV Runway 26 approach to Astoria Regional, NXXXAB. We’ll cancel on the ground.” 

Or, when conditions support airborne cancellation: 

“Cleared RNAV Runway 26 approach to Astoria Regional, NXXXAB. We plan to cancel in the air when VMC, approximately five miles from the airport.” 

The second transmission is only a statement of intent. It does not cancel IFR. When I am actually ready to cancel, the call is: 

“Seattle Center, NXXXAB, cancel IFR.” 

The controller should respond: 

“NXXXAB, IFR cancellation received.” 

If you have not already explained your plan, the controller will provide cancellation instructions before releasing you to the advisory frequency. FAA Order JO 7110.65, paragraph 4-2-10 provides the following phraseology for controllers to read prior to approving IFR traffic to switch to an uncontrolled field’s advisory frequency: 

“NXXXAB, report cancellation of IFR this frequency or with Flight Service.” 

When ATC no longer requires direct communication, FAA Order JO 7110.65, paragraph 4-8-8 authorizes the controller to add: 

“Change to advisory frequency approved.” 

There is nothing wrong with receiving those instructions. However, telling the controller your intentions after receiving the approach clearance may eliminate an unnecessary exchange and give both of you a clearer picture of what will happen next. 

Canceling early can help everyone. Canceling prematurely can remove IFR services you still need.