Narrative:

Took off VFR planning to pick up IFR clearance night after takeoff. Observed twin takeoff about 2 mins ahead of us and he was still visible when we took off. I immediately called for clearance and was acknowledged. Suddenly, I was in very low VFR conditions before clearance was issued. Lesson: next time I'll get a clearance on the ground prior to takeoff.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: GA SMA VFR IN IMC.

Narrative: TOOK OFF VFR PLANNING TO PICK UP IFR CLRNC NIGHT AFTER TKOF. OBSERVED TWIN TKOF ABOUT 2 MINS AHEAD OF US AND HE WAS STILL VISIBLE WHEN WE TOOK OFF. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR CLRNC AND WAS ACKNOWLEDGED. SUDDENLY, I WAS IN VERY LOW VFR CONDITIONS BEFORE CLRNC WAS ISSUED. LESSON: NEXT TIME I'LL GET A CLRNC ON THE GND PRIOR TO TKOF.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.