When may an IFR flight plan be cancelled?

• A. VFR conditions outside of Class A airspace
• B. IFR conditions inside Class A airspace
• C. After departing the destination
• D. If you file a new IFR plan

Answer: (A)

Canceling an IFR flight plan is allowed only when you can operate under Visual Flight Rules. That means you must be in VFR conditions and outside Class A airspace. In that environment you no longer need IFR clearance or the IFR separation service, so you can notify ATC to cancel and proceed under VFR, taking responsibility for weather visibility and see-and-avoid.

Inside Class A airspace, IFR is required, so cancellation isn’t an option there. Likewise, simply after departing or filing a new IFR plan doesn’t establish a valid scenario for cancellation—you still need to be able to operate under VFR and outside Class A to cancel.