Aviathor, I have heard that before, but my experience is that even if you select an IAF you will end up being cleared direct to the airport or vectored when you get close to the airport.
Of course you will 
Either because it is shorter and more efficient, or for sequencing.
The most important thing about the filed route is in case of NORDO. Your approximate ETA at the IAF (as well as route and altitudes) must be known to ATC. Doesn’t mean you’ll end up flying the filed route to the letter.
The lost com regulation covers both cases, with or without filing to an IAF.
NCYankee wrote:
Does filing in Europe require the IAF in the flightplan? It is not necessary in the US where most flight routes are to the airport as is the clearance limit.
No. Usually it is to a STAR initial waypoint.
No. Usually it is to a STAR initial waypoint.
Or an airport connecting point or an IAF. And often the last point on the STAR is an IAF
Not all airfields have SID/STAR.
my experience is that even if you select an IAF you will end up being cleared direct to the airport or vectored when you get close to the airport.
I actually doubt European IFR controllers see what is in your flight plan.
I have been told that the filed route is not depicted on their screen. All they see are the entry and exit points of their sector.
So all the discussion whether ATC see hacks like this is moot
We have a number of ATCOs on EuroGA and the non-UK ones tend to drop in here and there with great contributions. The UK ones are banned by employment conditions
Peter wrote:
I actually doubt European IFR controllers see what is in your flight plan.
They do. At least in some countries.
When I get a DCT it will normally be to a point on my filed route. Except in Germany where I may get a completely different route.
