A PA42 pilot; departing vgt; wass denied an IFR clearance by the tower due to scheduled closure in t...

Narrative:

While starting engines about three minutes prior to class D control tower closure; I asked north las vegas tower/control to provide my IFR clearance for a flight plan that was previously filed. They informed me that the tower was closing and that my clearance would be void prior to departure (since the tower was closing). The ground/tower controller instructed me to contact las vegas departure control. I stated that I would depart VFR and contact departure control while airborne to pick up my IFR. After departure I made multiple attempts to contact control on the frequency provided with no response. I continued on - stepping up beneath the class B airspace to 7;500 ft MSL - approximately 17-20 NM from las vegas VOR. It wasn't until this time when departure control finally responded. At this position and course I was headed directly toward R-4806W. It was night; and there were mountains to the north (my desired direction); which at this altitude I was uncertain whether or not I could out-climb. It was imperative to have received a more prompt response from departure control to have received a timelier class B clearance or IFR clearance. This clearance would have enabled me to initiate a climb much sooner; and would have removed my reluctance to make a turn toward the mountains.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A PA42 pilot; departing VGT; wass denied an IFR clearance by the Tower due to scheduled closure in three minutes. Reporter departed VFR and was unsuccessful in contacting Departure Control initially; resulting in difficulties avoiding Class B airspace and mountainous terrain to the north.

Narrative: While starting engines about three minutes prior to Class D Control Tower closure; I asked North Las Vegas Tower/Control to provide my IFR clearance for a flight plan that was previously filed. They informed me that the Tower was closing and that my clearance would be void prior to departure (since the Tower was closing). The Ground/Tower Controller instructed me to contact Las Vegas Departure Control. I stated that I would depart VFR and contact Departure Control while airborne to pick up my IFR. After departure I made multiple attempts to contact Control on the frequency provided with no response. I continued on - stepping up beneath the Class B airspace to 7;500 FT MSL - approximately 17-20 NM from Las Vegas VOR. It wasn't until this time when Departure Control finally responded. At this position and course I was headed directly toward R-4806W. It was night; and there were mountains to the north (my desired direction); which at this altitude I was uncertain whether or not I could out-climb. It was imperative to have received a more prompt response from Departure Control to have received a timelier Class B clearance or IFR clearance. This clearance would have enabled me to initiate a climb much sooner; and would have removed my reluctance to make a turn toward the mountains.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	989974
Time
Date	201201
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	VGT.Airport
State Reference	NV
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-42 Cheyenne IIA
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Route In Use	VFR Route
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 4000 Flight Crew Type 200
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

A PA42 pilot; departing vgt; wass denied an IFR clearance by the tower due to scheduled closure in three minutes. Reporter departed VFR and was unsuccessful in contacting departure control initially; resulting in difficulties avoiding class B airspace and mountainous terrain to the north.